May – June 2005

The council recently joined forces with the Auckland Regional Council to promote an understanding of urban streams. Our focus was the Kahika Stream in Birkdale that flows behind Kauri Park Primary School through Rangitira Reserve to the Upper Waitemata Harbour.

In March, scientists and experts in freshwater fish, insects and pollution joined 120 Kauri Park Primary students in streamside activities including identifying pollution sources. The students discovered native kokopu, red bullies and eels living in Kahika Stream, a sign that the stream is in a reasonable condition. As a result of the day, students will be participating in the Wai Care programme where they'll regularly monitor the water quality and habitat of the stream, keep an eye out for pollution and enhance the stream through native planting.