Image: Sarah Wilcox | DOC
Rakitaka River.
Rakitata River revival strategy
The programme’s partners prepared a strategy to describe the shared values and vision for the river and develop work plans across agencies.

In September 2023, the draft Whakahaumanu o te Rakitata revival strategy was shared with the community for feedback. It had two parts: 

Download and view a map of the six reaches (PDF, 4,670K)

Read a summary of the submissions received in this consultation: Rakitata River revival strategy consultation (PDF, 786K)

The programme’s Steering Group considered all the consultation feedback and in 2025 recommended: 

  • endorsing part 1 (with some changes) as the final Rakitata River revival strategy 
  • using part 2 as a starting point for an integrated work plan. 

View the strategy (PDF, 722K)

We shared a final version of the strategy in 2025 and received feedback by email as well as in-person through a drop-in session, conversations with community members and meetings.

The Steering Group again considered all the feedback. In December 2025, the group decided to pause the strategy’s development and look at new ways to engage with communities and respond to evolving planning frameworks.

The programme’s partners remain focused on delivering restoration work at place as directed by the strategy.