10 Years of PTS

2013 marked the 10 year anniversary of Project Twin Streams – 10 years of local communities in West Auckland working together for healthy streams and strong communities.

The project has not only worked to restore 56 kms of stream banks, but also created walk and cycle ways, works of art, community gardens, a Maori medicinal garden, a flax weaving garden and so much more.

Auckland’s Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse commented at the time that the real success of the project has been working together with communities and building sustainable partnerships.

“In addition to improved water quality in Waitakere streams and a substantial reduction in weeds and waste, Project Twin Streams has achieved many wonderful outcomes for our local communities and won a number of regional, national and international awards along the way”, said Ms Hulse.

“There have been over 700,000 native trees and shrubs planted with almost half a million of those by volunteers. Through the walk and cycle ways communities have re-connected with each other and the stream; through education, community planting and arts projects, people now think more about the streams and see their value as a recreational and community resource”, she said.

A small glimpse of the past 10 years:

The Celebration

In October 2013 we held a special ‘Ten Years of Project Twin Streams’ exhibition at Westfield West City (a long-term supporter of the project) to thank the many people of West Auckland who contributed to the project over the years. It featured photos, maps, activities, workshops and gorgeous ‘stream people’ created from natural materials sourced streamside by the PTS Junior Stream Rangers. 

Click here to read the welcoming speech by Derek March, former PTS Community Coordinator for Opanuku Stream.