Upper Rangitata from Forest Creek bluffs
Image: Brad Edwards | ©

Introduction

Ko te Whakahaumanu o te Rakitata Awa – the Rakitata River revival programme, is working to restore the mauri (life force) of the river, ki uta ki tai, from mountains to sea.

The programme began as a partnership between Te Rūnaka o Arowhenua and DOC through our Ngā Awa river restoration programme. It now includes Environment Canterbury, Toitū te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, Central South Island Fish & Game and Timaru and Ashburton District Councils.

Rakitata is our preferred name for the Rangitata River as it recognises the local Kāi Tahu (Ngāi Tahu) dialect, which replaces ‘ng’ with ‘k’. So ‘taonga’ becomes ‘taoka’ for example.

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