Naomi Solomon - Whaitua Te Whanganui-a-Tara Committee

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Kia ora koutou, I am Naomi and I am a member of the Whaitua Te Whanganui-a-Tara Committee tasked with making recommendations to Greater Wellington Regional Council on the future of our coastal and freshwater quality, and how our water is used. Our waterways and all the fish and species that live in them are precious taonga, so we have set out to understand how they are valued and what should be done to provide the future we want for our water. I am a conduit to Ngāti Toa Rangatira mana whenua on the Whaitua Committee. I am looking forward to working with Ngāti Toa mana whenua and you to shape the future of our water.

Our population is growing fast and placing more pressure waste and stormwater infrastructure. Some of our waterways have high levels of E-coli and other illness causing bacteria for anyone who ingests them. We need your help in protecting the health and mauri of our waterways, for us and for our children , which are under pressure due to increasing population and land development.

Fixing the waste and stormwater infrastructure is costly. Help us to find solutions that are fair and equitable. These are big changes, and needs to reflect our communities’ views informed by good evidence and information.

Connect with us to talk about what we can do together. You can reach us at whaitua@gw.govt.nz. To see what we have been doing visit our Facebook page (www.facebook.com...), and to share what you value about our water and your solutions have your say (www.haveyoursay.gw.gov.nz...)