REPORT: A Voice for the river

A voice for the river: Collective restoration by the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network

April 2024

Goodwin M, Challies E, McFarlane K. 2024. A voice for the river. Collective restoration by the Ōpāwaho Healthcote River Network. BioHeritage Report. 70 p.

Abstract

The Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network in Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand is an urban restoration collective working to foster and regenerate the health of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River and catchment while enhancing community connections with and understanding of the river.

As a highly active network among an increasing number of ‘restoration collectives’ working to enhance ecosystem regeneration across the country, the ŌHRN illustrates how collective environmental action can work, how such groups can be effective, what challenges they face, and the power and value they bring for their catchments and communities. This report presents findings and insights based on the combined wisdom and knowledge of our research participants, shared through interviews, focus groups and workshops. We use the name Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network (abbreviated to ŌHRN) to refer to all the members of the collective – the river groups, the Committee, and individual or group members. These groups are described in the first section of the report.