The Porirua City Council has consulted on its draft code of development standards. The Harbour Trust and GOPI made a joint submission. We were generally supportive of the proposed new code. It contains a wealth of guidance information via links to external sources. We were particularly pleased to see references to the Harbour Accord. Our belief is that the pre-application stage for any developer is crucial. Not only can it save a lot of grief further into the development process but we believe that following best practice a developed environment that is conducive to protecting waterways and promoting bio-diversity is attainable.
Author: info
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Get into the outdoors and help the harbour 1st weekend in spring!
Looking for some healthy outdoor activity to help the harbour this weekend 5/6 Sept? Two events available:
Saturday at 10am for a 10.15am start. Plimmerton Rotary Club planting of the Camborne Walkway. Meet at the Penryn Drive access to the Camborne walkway. The organisers will provide snacks and a BBQ, so just bring yourself, sturdy shoes, and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Gloves welcome but not essential — the Rotary club have spares.
Sunday 9am to 10.30am: Join the Keep Hutt Valley Beautiful and Petone Beach Clean-Up crew as they come across to help clear litter from the CBD foreshore. Meet on the grass area between PakNsave and Pirates Cove mini-golf. Bags and grabbers supplied. Bring gardening gloves if you have them. Wear gumboots or old shoes if you want to walk out onto the mudflats. Note: Don’t park in the supermarket car park or you may get a ticket!
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Calling all groups who have ideas to reduce waste
Applications open on 1 October for groups and organisations who have waste minimisation projects requiring funding.
The grant scheme offers two distinct funding pathways depending on the size and scale of your project:
Tier 1: Up to $50,000 for substantial, long-term community or neighbourhood initiatives.
Tier 2: Up to $5,000 for smaller, quick-response projects, events, or workshops.
To gain funding, your project must support Porirua’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. The council prioritises ideas that target the top levels of the Waste Hierarchy, focusing on preventing waste before it starts:
Reduce / Rethink: Stopping waste at the source (e.g., establishing a community tool library or something innovative).
Reuse / Repair: Giving items a second life (e.g., setting up a local repair café, bicycle repair workshops, or material swap hub).
Recycle / Compost: Keeping organic resources out of landfill (e.g., building a community garden composting system or neighbourhood food waste collection).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online through https://poriruacity.govt.nz/…/community…/reduce-waste/
If you want to check if your idea qualifies or need advice, contact the Council’s waste team directly at reducewaste@poriruacity.govt.nz
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Harbour Accord Action plan has lift-off
The Te Awarua o Porirua Action Plan giving effect to Te Wai Ora o Pairirua – Porirua Harbour Accord is now available for anyone who wants to find out what the iwi, councils and Tiaki Wai promise to do to get the harbour and its catchments in a healthy state. The plan is available in both summary and full form via the following link: https://www.ngatitoa.iwi.nz/te-wai-ora-o-parirua
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“No Pest in the West” campaign seeks landowners support
A group of landowners covering 7000 hectares of land west of Transmission Gully are on mission to rid the land of goats and pigs. The animals are causing damage to vegetation cover which in turn leads to stream bank erosion and increased sediment flows down to the inlet.
NZTA is already carrying out pest control in areas adjacent to Transmission Gully and Greater Wellington representatives have indicated Council support is likely if the group can produce evidence of landowners willing to lend a hand.
A recent community hui, organised by Gerry Dysart, discussed the challenge and agreed that progress would be dependent on a joint hunting effort by landowners in the catchment. If you are interested in joining the group please follow this link
Dense bush behind area fenced from animals
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Dune Restoration project hui
The hui at the Mana Cruising club on Thursday 20 August 5.30pm – 7.30pm will bring together mana whenua, community groups, recreational users, stakeholders, and members of the public to learn more about the project, ask questions, and share perspectives.
This project presents a significant opportunity to restore a highly visible and well-used coastal environment at the heart of Porirua. While the technical aspects of dune restoration are supported by proven methods and informed by the expertise of coastal scientist Jim Dahm and other practitioners, PCC recognises the value of drawing on a broad range of experiences and perspectives to ensure the best possible outcomes.
PCC are particularly interested in hearing from those with expertise in coastal processes, dune management, indigenous planting, restoration ecology, community-led conservation, and long-term environmental stewardship. Your knowledge and practical experience can help inform the project as it develops and contribute to a successful restoration programme.
Importantly, this early engagement process is also about building relationships and shared understanding between mana whenua, restoration practitioners, recreation groups, local residents, and the wider community. PCC hopes to create a foundation for ongoing collaboration and community involvement in the care and restoration of this special place.
For those unable to attend, project information and feedback opportunities are available through the PCC online engagement page:
Have Your Say:
https://haveyoursay.poriruacity.govt.nz/ngati-toa-domain-dune-restoration -
Bird Flu is upon us
Being in the Wellington region where bird flu has already been detected, our harbour with its abundance of sea birds is in the firing line. It’s likely to be a rough time for our wildlife and sad for all of us who highly value the presence of abundant bird life in our environment.
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Two more planting opportunities
UPDATE; THE 8 AUGUST CAMBORNE WALKWAY PLANTING EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. – We will publish more info on the next planting date by Plimmerton Rotary, currently scheduled for 5 September, when details are available.
Bush Corridor 26 July – with the Whitireia Park Restoration Group
Sunday 26 July from 9.30am to 12.30pm is your last chance this year to help out at the Restoration Group’s planting days.
This site is the last link between the remnant bush above Onehunga Bay and the inland loop track.
This site is a 5 minute walk form Onehunga Bay carpark and is relatively sheltered and child friendly.
Bring several layers of clothing, a planting spade if you have one, gloves and a warm hat.
Spades, some gloves, hot food and hot drinks will be available.
If it is raining the event will be postponed to the following Sunday (2 August).Camborne Walkway 8 August – with the Rotary Club of Plimmerton
When 12.45 for 1 pm start on Saturday 8 August
Where: Meet at the Penryn Drive access to the Camborne Walkway
Wear: Suitable clothes for planting, sturdy boots or gumboots, gloves.
RSVP: Brett Jones
President, Rotary Club of Plimmerton0225212719
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Whitireia Escarpment planting
Another 700 plants went into the ground of the Whitireia escarpment at the first community planting day of 2026 held by the Park Restoration Group . The aim is to create bird and lizard habitat. Plants have been carefully chosen for this purpose including some that are unique to the Cook Strait coast. Well organised by Robyn, Chris and the Park Group ably supported by Ranger Jordan and many others. A rare windless day in warm early winter sunshine and after days of rain got these plants off to the best possible start.
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Proposed road threatens harbour
Former WCC Councillor and Porirua Harbour Trust trustee, Peter Gilberd, is drawing our attention to the proposed Petone to Grenada link road that will have a negative impact on a key tributary of the Porirua Stream that feeds into our harbour. Join the locals for a protest walk on Kings birthday…