The Porirua Harbour
focus of the Porirua Harbour and Catchments Community Trust
known as the Porirua Harbour Trust (PHT)
Welcome to the Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and Catchments Community Trust (PHT) website
The Porirua Harbour (Te Awarua o Porirua) is the heart of Porirua City and the largest estuary system in the lower North Island. It’s a place of cultural, ecological, recreational, and economic importance — and it needs our care.
Our mission is simple: to protect and restore the health of the harbour while ensuring it remains a place for people, wildlife, and future generations to enjoy.
Vision & Purpose
- Vision: A harbour and catchment that is healthy, resilient, and thriving — where ecosystems are protected or restored, people can safely use and enjoy the harbour, kai moana is safe to harvest, and economic activity is sustained without compromising future needs.
- Purpose: To adopt a long-term perspective in decision making, foster public awareness of the harbour’s values, promote and facilitate restorative actions, and to actively advocate and monitor for the best possible outcomes for the harbour and catchment.
Latest News
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Hear your regional councillors talk on harbour issues
Late last year Claire Johnstone and Phil Rhodes were elected as Greater Wellington regional councillors for the Tawa/Pāuatahanui Ward. They have graciously accepted an invitation from the Harbour Trust and the Guardians of the Inlet to address a meeting open to everyone on MONDAY 4 MAY 2026 AT 7.15PM ST MARY’S CHURCH WHITBY. If you…
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Jono Ridler, we salute you and your cause!
The Trust salutes Jono Ridler for his epic record breaking 1337km swim of the entire East Coast of the North Island and into Wellington, drawing attention to the dangers to the ocean of bottom trawling. Our shallow water west-coast harbour in Porirua is safe from commercial trawling and has legal protection against nets although individuals…
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Have your say on plans for our water services
Tiaki Wai is the new organisation that will deliver drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services across Lower Hutt, Porirua, Upper Hutt and Wellington from 1 July 2026. Tiaki Wai is currently seeking feedback on the draft Water Services Strategy, Customer Charter and Significance and Engagement Policy. Together, these documents provide information about what Tiaki Wai…
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Shameful pollution of our awa and harbour
Another huge haul-out of pollutants in and around the Porirua Stream. Thanks to Keep New Zealand Beautiful and the Petone Beach Cleanup Crew plus many local volunteers who turned up in drizzly conditions. Plastic bottles and takeaway wrappers is one thing but tyres, cones, builders waste and those damn trolleys is another… Help protect our…
Follow the news and stay up to date with cultural, ecological, recreational, and economic activities around the Porirua Harbour. Browse the news gallery, visit us on Facebook or subscribe to News by Email.
Explore the Harbour
Discover the largest estuary in the lower North Island
This website will give you an introduction to our wonderful harbour. The link below will help build your knowledge of this natural treasure or taonga. We hope it will also whet your appetite to physically experience the environment in all its moods and gain a better understanding of the changes that humans have wreaked on the habitats of the awarua. We hope too that it might inspire you to lend your support to restoring the harbour’s health.
Take a hike and meander the inlet
Latest Events
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Hear your regional councillors talk on harbour issues
Late last year Claire Johnstone and Phil Rhodes were elected as Greater Wellington regional councillors for the Tawa/Pāuatahanui Ward. They have graciously accepted an invitation from the Harbour Trust and the Guardians of the Inlet to address a meeting open to everyone on MONDAY 4 MAY 2026 AT 7.15PM ST MARY’S CHURCH WHITBY. If you…
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Porirua stream/inlet clean up
Hi EveryoneJoin Petone Beach Clean Up Crew and Keep Hutt Valley Beautiful on Sunday 29th March to remove rubbish from the Porirua Inlet .The inlet has an overwhelming amount of rubbish to remove so we would love your help. Date; Sunday 29th MarchTime; 2pm to 3:30pm (low tide)NEW MEETING LOCATION : Lyttelton Ave opposite Porirua…
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Foreshore clean up Thursday 26 Feb – CANCELLED
SORRY TO ADVISE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED BY THE HARBOUR ACCORD PARTNERS. A RESCHEDULE DATE WILL BE POSTED WHEN AVAILABLE Join us as we come together to care for Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and restore its mauri through collective action. Thursday 26 February 2026 9:00am – 1:00pm Porirua Harbour & adjoining coastal areas Meet at…
Subscribe to our events calendar and stay up to date with cultural, ecological, recreational, and economic activities around the Porirua Harbour. Browse the events calender, visit us on Facebook or subscribe to Events by Email.
Media Galleries
The harbour is a rich subject for nature photography and videograhy. An exquisite compilation showcases a diverse array of media that capture the essence of different eras.
