The Community Waterways Partnership Annual Hui, held in November 2025, served as an important occasion for partners to gather, share knowledge, and reflect on collective progress. Strong collaboration and meaningful connections remain the foundation of our partnership’s success.
Community Waterways Partnership Annual Hui 2025
Keynote speakers
The partnership was joined on the day by two special keynote speakers.
Kirsty Ameriks (Ngāi Tahu) shared powerful kaupapa about the degraded state of wai māori in the Ngāi Tahu Takiwā and the statement of claim filed by Ngāi Tahu with the High Court in Ōtautahi Christchurch, seeking recognition of their rangatiratanga (authority) over wai māori (fresh water) within their takiwā (territory).
Kirsty also spoke of the exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery, Unutai e! Unutai e!, which showcases images of the freshwater crisis captured by photographer Anne Noble. The exhibition is on from 13 December 2025 to 19 April 2026.
Vicky Southworth, former Environment Canterbury Councillor, spoke about what individuals can do to improve the health of local freshwater from our homes – like minimising runoff by choosing permeable surfaces, reusing rainwater, and directing stormwater to rain gardens. She spoke about the significance of community-based initiatives and local voices at the decision-making table.
Catchment workshop
Partners split into groups to discuss key successes, challenges and opportunities within each of the district’s seven major catchments. This allowed opportunity for reflection on how far local waterways mahi has come, and what work still needs to be done.
Key successes noted during this exercise included the significant, longstanding effort of multiple community groups to make positive changes to freshwater health, a number of restoration sites creating improved habitats for native species, and engagement with local schools.
Key challenges included the pollution impacts from catchment development and a competitive funding environment. This will feed into refining our strategic planning, collectively targeting our responses to challenges, and supporting catchment-specific approaches.
Ōtākaro-Avon River walk
The day concluded with a guided walk along the iconic Ōtākaro-Avon River through the CBD, where post-earthquake restoration efforts were observed and discussed.
It was evident at this year’s hui that our partnership is made up of very committed and active groups. It was a wonderful opportunity to make new connections, strengthen existing ones, and discuss the future of our waterways.