Waiheke Waterways
Let’s care for our waterways
Waiheke Waterways works with the community to restore and protect our awa (streams), connecting people to local waterways across the Little Oneroa, Ōmiha, Palm Beach, Awaawaroa, Surfdale, Blackpool and Onetangi catchments.
Walk Your Stream!
Can you be our eyes on the awa?
Walk your stream and help us learn about a stream near you.
Our project focuses on
Proper onsite wastewater management to reduce pollution
Training citizen scientists to monitor stream health using the Wai Care framework
Hands-on restoration activities to enhance freshwater ecosystems
How we can help
Streams restoration and monitoring
We restore riparian zones by removing weeds, planting native vegetation, and improving stream habitats. We monitor our streams through freshwater testing an Edna testing.
Septic tanks check subsidies
We offer Special Subsidies for Septic Tank Checks
We offer subsidised septic tank checks across Waiheke Island. For Rakino Island, a special subsidy reduces the original price by $50. Bookings must be made through us to access this offer.
Community engagement and free workshops
We provide guidance and support for residents and groups who want to monitor their own streams and contribute to island-wide data collection. We also run practical free workshops on:
Septic Tank Maintenance – Learn how to care for your system and prevent pollution.
Planting in Septic Areas – Discover which native plants protect waterways and improve soil health.
Freshwater Monitoring (SHMAK) – Learn how to test and understand the health of streams.
Get involved
Walk Your Stream is a new campaign inviting residents to take a closer look at streams that run through their backyards or neighborhoods. By observing what you see, you can help us gather valuable information about our waterways. Can you identify what you see?
Research on kākahi
𝗟𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 from Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (Eberswalde, Germany) presents her 6-month study, conducted during her internship with WRT, on 𝗸𝗮̄𝗸𝗮𝗵𝗶 (freshwater mussels) living in Waiheke Island’s waterways.
Learn about the remarkable native species that are essential to our freshwater ecosystems, as they naturally filter water and support biodiversity.
Waiheke Waterways freshwater monitoring and Edna test
We conduct freshwater quality testing to monitor ecosystem health in local streams and rivers. Our team collects and identifies macroinvertebrates to assess water quality through biological indicators. We follow standard field and lab methods to ensure reliable data.
eDNA Testing , Using environmental DNA (eDNA), we detect native and introduced species in Waiheke streams — a modern, non-invasive way to understand local biodiversity.
Connect with our Waiheke Waterways lead
Marta Orihuela
Become a citizen scientist
Interested to explore and protect Waiheke’s natural environment? You can borrow monitoring tools from our Sustainability Centre to help gather valuable data on local biodiversity and water quality. Training is available upon request and we’ll help you get set up.
Apply for the subsidies
Properties across Waiheke Island and Rakino Island can access a $50 discount on their septic tank check.
The check can be used to show compliance under the Auckland Unitary Plan for primary systems, and as a health check for secondary and tertiary systems.
If you have a primary System, your obligation is to check it out every 3 years and pump it out when necessary.
If your septic is secondary or tertiary, it needs to have a health check every six months.
Service providers
Onsite wastewater servicing
Greenacres
09 372 7614
Natural Flo / Wormsmart
0800 628 356
Hydrovac service
0800 493 768
Stony Ridge
Mark Bright: 027 489 0604
Drainlayer
Shivneel Krishna: 021 091 02610
Pump out servicing
Greenacres
09 372 7614
Waiheke Septic Tank Services
09 372 7015
Other consultants
CBC Wastewater
09 372 9190
Everyday actions you can take
Use septic friendly products
Not all supermarket cleaners are safe for septic systems. Harsh chemicals like bleach and antibacterial cleaners can kill beneficial microorganisms, leading to costly system failures.
Waiheke Waterways recommends septic-safe products like Bio-Zyme and Ecostore (available at our Shop), or natural alternatives such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
Minimise your water usage
Reducing water use not only eases summer stress but also protects your septic system. Conserving water and spreading out usage keeps solids settled, essential for septic systems treatment.
Waiheke Waterways suggests installing water restrictors, reusing greywater in the garden, taking 2-minute showers, and upgrading to 5-star water-rated appliances when needed.
Be mindful of where that poo is going
Pick up after your dog: Doggy business isn’t just smelly – it carries bacteria like E. coli that can make people sick. Always scoop it up so our streams stay clean and safe for everyone.
Don’t feed the ducks: It might seem like a treat, but feeding ducks makes them multiply faster – and all that extra duck poo goes straight into the water, affecting water quality. Plus, bread isn’t actually healthy for our feathered friends!
Waiheke Waterways project is funded by
Waiheke Waterways project is partnering with
Related resources
Shop for septic friendly products
Not all products are safe to use for our septic system and could kill the good microorganisms. Visit our Shop and find septic tank friendly or even positive products.
Become a Citizen Scientist
Interested to explore and protect Waiheke’s natural environment? You can borrow monitoring tools from our Sustainability Centre to help gather valuable data on local biodiversity and water quality. Training is available upon request and we’ll help you get set up.
Support Us
Starting today, we can create a more sustainable tomorrow. Support our mahi so that we can deliver a brighter, more climate resilient future to all those living on and visiting Waiheke Island.
