Waikato RiverCare Inc. gets a boost from Watercare

The teams from Watercare and Waikato RiverCare Incorporated after signing the new agreement. Credit: Maxine Clayton

Watercare is helping to ensure the well-being of the Waikato River is in good hands, with a $50,000. annual sponsorship to Waikato RiverCare Inc. for their riparian planting.

Last week, Watercare officials, including chief executive, Raveen Jaduram, and water supply manager, Priyan Perea, met with Waikato RiverCare Inc. representatives, including Chairperson, David Klee, and Operations Manager, Kevin Hutchinson, to sign the new agreement which provides $200,000 over four years. Watercare has been a long term supporter and foundation member of the trust, which has been operating for 17 years.

Watercare chief executive, Raveen Jaduram says that it’s important that Waikato RiverCare receives support for their important environmental work: “The Waikato River is New Zealand’s longest river, and since 2002, it has been part of Auckland’s water supply network. Waikato RiverCare is doing an outstanding job with their riparian planting schemes and we’re delighted to be able to help them pursue this work.”

The Waikato River provides up to 25% of Auckland’s water each day, which is treated at the Waikato Water Treatment Plant near Tuakau. Watercare has applied to take an additional 200,000 cubic metres per day to meet future demand from Auckland’s growing population.

Waikato Rivercare chairman, David Klee says: “We’re delighted to continue to build on our long and enduring partnership with Watercare. Being a charitable trust, we rely solely on the generosity of our supporters to help fund the work we do and this increase in funding will allow our organisation to continue on its current upward trajectory.

A big focus of Waikato RiverCare Inc. is to retire marginal grazing land adjacent to rivers, lakes and streams in the Waikato River Catchments and create buffers containing self-sustaining native plant communities. By doing so we can provide both biodiversity and water quality enhancements.”

The team at Waikato RiverCare Inc. thanks Watercare for their support and is excited to continue and grow this partnership for the well-being of the Waikato River.