Meka Whaitiri, local MP for Ikaro – Raawhiti, came to visit the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group for updates on progress made so far. When Meka last came, the group had just received the Supreme Awards (for the Wairoa District) at the Trust Power Community Awards.  Back then, the restoration programme was just getting underway.

Meka was impressed to see that in only 18 months the group had fenced off most of the Whangawehi Stream, established 70 000 native trees and developed a school programme with Te Mahia School.