Porirua Harbour Group Winds Up Saying "Job Mostly Done"

The group credited with galvanising action to protect and improve Porirua Habour, The Pauatahanui Inlet Community Trust (PICT), is winding up.

PICT was established in 2002 with the aim of encouraging the implementation of the Pauatahanui Inlet Action Plan, which was prepared by community groups and local authorities following concerns about health of the Inlet and the way it was being managed.

The group included representatives from the community, Porirua City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Ngati Toa Rangatira.

“We think the objectives the Trust had when it was set up have, for the most part, been achieved,” said Chairman Dr John McKoy. “We claim a lot of the credit for achieving the current strong focus on the harbour, including the Harbour Strategy.”

Councillor Bronwyn Kropp, who chairs the Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and Catchment Joint Committee, agreed PICT had been an extremely important group in focusing attention on Porirua Harbour.

“PICT was set up at a time when our harbour was hiding in plain sight. We could see it, but we weren’t doing much to protect it. Thanks to PICT’s strong advocacy we are now very focused on ensuring the future health of our whole catchment. A lot of good work is being done now because of what PICT started.”

Dr McKoy said Porirua Harbour was now in good hands, with a number of organisations including Porirua City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council actively advocating for its ongoing protection and improvement.

Alongside them are a number of community based groups, including the long established Guardians of the Pauatahanui Inlet (GOPI), the Porirua Harbour Trust (PHCCT) and the new Te Awarua-o-Porirua Whaitua Committee established by Greater Wellington Regional Council. It is developing recommendations for land and water management specific to local needs and values.

Dr McKoy said many of the Trust’s former members were involved in the groups continuing to advocate for the harbour; helping retain a wealth of experience and knowledge.

“It’s now about sharing our resources and strengthening the advocacy of those other groups…The things that are needed to get the harbour right are very much in place.”

The Council’s Porirua Harbour Strategy Coordinator Keith Calder agreed PICT had been the pivotal environmental group for Porirua Harbour.

“It’s hard to overestimate its significance. Because of the activities of PICT we have a Harbour Strategy, a full-time co-ordinator and the Harbour Trust (PHACCT). Everyone recognises that PICT has been the most significant environmental group with regards to where we’ve got to with the Harbour.”

PICT had always been a constructive influence within the catchment and an excellent source of historic and technical advice and support, Mr Calder said.

ENDS

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