Aki Paipper has a dream – that the mokopuna (grandchildren) living close to Te Karamu Stream will be able to safely swim in the river.
Aki and her group, Operation Patiki, are working with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, DOC, Forest and Bird Protection Society, Fish and Game New Zealand to restore and enhance Te Karamu Stream. They are planting natives, removing pests and pest plant species.
“When we can say, ‘you can safely go and swim in that river’, then we will have done our job.
“We should be part of the river. We should not only fish from it and eat from it, we should enjoy it,” says Aki.
Watch the film to learn more about how the Regional Council and local community are improving the water quality of this important stream.