Paturoa Stream Habitat Restoration

The Paturoa Stream catchment is nestled between Titirangi Village to the north and Titirangi Beach to the south. The ridges of the valley are bounded by South Titirangi Road to the west and Otitori Bay Road to the east. 

From shops to Atkinson Regional Park, to bushy properties, an awa (stream) and the beach, it's a special place. For mana whenua it is an enduring place of importance and locals treasure it for walking, playing and relaxing.  

As part of our work to restore the biodiversity in the area, and create an urban sanctuary; TUS has several projects in this important catchment, in the heart of South Titirangi. 

Volunteers manage 4 traplines for predators: in the village, upper and lower zigzag track and around the lower part of the stream, near the beach. These traplines reduce predation of native birds and insects and protect the native fish in the awa. Another positive impact from years of trapping is that seedlings are emerging again, ready to become part of the ngahere (forest). 

In the lower Paturoa stream we have partnered with Mountains to Sea to identify, monitor and protect native fish. Despite the catchment being home to businesses and lots of residential properties it is surprisingly healthy and at least 6 species of native fish and tuna (eel) have been identified. Mountains to Sea have provided artificial spawn habit - straw bales that are covered by water at high tide - that have been really successful for spawning events.

We have also worked together with the Auckland Council park ranger and our TUS nursery to plant around 2000 native trees to create the shady, protected habitat that's needed for a healthy awa. 

In 2025 we are pausing further planting projects while important archeological work takes place in the area; we look forward to learning more from this about the relationship mana whenua have had to this special place.

You can learn more about Mountains to Sea and the lifecycle of native fish here: https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/

Check out recent articles about our work in the area here: