Living Waters

 Tiakina Te Taonga – Protect the Treasure 

An Overview of the Project

Porirua Harbour is at a critical point, with 50,000 people in the catchment putting pressure on this fragile ecosystem.  There is an urgent need to foster community understanding and concern for this unique marine environment and so support the work of local authorities.  The health of the Harbour is vital to the health of the whole community.

In its founding document Pauatahanui Inlet Action Plan – Towards Integrated Management PICT set out a comprehensive set of issues that needed to be addressed to protect the Harbour and timeframes for these to be achieved.  In order for protection of the estuaries of Porirua Harbour to be successful the community at large to needs to be informed, to understand and to care about this environment which is unique in the Wellington region.

Living Waters - Tiakina Te Taonga – Protect the Treasure 

 In its 2008-9 review of the action plan, education and communication were identified as needing urgent attention.   In order to rectify this, the PICT Trustees endorsed a dynamic proposal to make a series of 12 (monthly) short documentary films called “Living Waters”.  The films will inform viewers about the importance and dynamics of Porirua Harbour and encourage them to take positive action to protect the Harbour. 

These “DVD Diaries” will be promoted through multiple web sites including the Porirua City Council and Wellington Regional Council sites; DVDs will be distributed to schools and community groups and promoted through local news media, community and church groups, and local and regional businesses.

The Project is being completed by award winning film maker Cheryl Cameron of Wild Thyme Ltd.

Support for the production of Living Waters

 PICT gratefully acknowledges the generous support for the production of Living Waters from:

Mana Community Grants Foundation

Pacific Development and Conservation Trust

Hutt Mana Charitable Trust

Porirua City Council

Wellington Community Trust

Whitby Estates Ltd

Carrus Ltd

The major point of distribution for the episodes is the website:

www.livingwatersdoco.co.nz

The site also includes a wealth of extra material and informtion about the Porirua Harbour and its catchment.