Welcome to the Upper Waitematā Neighbourhood
Find your place in our community and explore the natural beauty of the local area. Learn about your backyard and take simple steps to help our local environment thrive.
Interactive Map of Upper Waitematā
Explore the Upper Waitematā by using this map to locate cultural landmarks, community environmental work, and top local destinations.
Local history
Understanding the roots of this land helps us protect its future. Before humans arrived, this area was filled with unique and ancient native ecosystems. We work alongside iwi (the local Māori tribes) to ensure conservation efforts honour their ancestral ties to this area. You can find more information about their heritage and settlement claims through:
European settlers used the Upper Waitematā Harbour / Upper Harbour as a main road for their boats. This was because the early land roads were very poor or did not exist. Boats carried timber, kauri gum, and farm goods to the growing city of Auckland. Learn more about these early journeys on the Auckland Council heritage walks page.
Our worst weeds
Many plants brought to New Zealand for gardens have escaped over the fence, becoming invasive. These weeds threaten our local plants that native wildlife depend on. Removing weeds helps native trees grow and brings birdsong back to our neighbourhood. You can use tools like iNaturalist.nz to identify plants in your own garden. The following 13 pest plants are the most common threats in the Upper Harbour.
Arum Lily
Forms dense colonies and seeds move through local waterways. Facts about this weed.
Chinese Privet
Displaces native regrowth and seeds are spread by birds. Facts about this weed.
Japanese Honeysuckle
Competes for vital sunlight by aggressively smothering native trees. Facts about this weed.
Tree Privet
Outcompetes native species and seeds are spread by birds. Facts about this weed.
Wild Ginger
Massive root systems block growth and seeds spread via water. Facts about this weed.
Pampas
Prolific seeds spread by wind and displace native vegetation. Facts about this weed.
Jasmine
Forms heavy mats that starve native trees of light. Facts about this weed.
Bangalow Palm
Outcompetes native seedlings and seeds are spread by birds. Facts about this weed.
Climbing Asparagus
Smothers existing plants and prevents native saplings from growing. Facts about this weed.
Moth Plant
Poses a risk to health and smothers mature trees. Facts about this weed.
Tradesantia
Creates a thick carpet that blocks the growth of seedlings. Facts about this weed.
Woolly Nightshade
Alters soil health and contact can be harmful to humans. Facts about this weed.
Taiwan Cherry
Invades forest margins and competes with our local species. Facts about this weed.
Native plants for your garden
You can help bring back native birdsong by planting local species in your backyard. We recommend planting these three native plants to create a safe home for wildlife:
Kōwhai
This tree provides nectar for birds like tūī.
Harakeke (flax)
This plant doesn’t grow too high and provides excellent nectar for local birds.
Karaka
A significant source of food for native species, helping to bring birdsong back to the neighbourhood.
Karamū
Provides natural food and homes for birds, bugs, and butterflies.
Porokaiwhiri (Pigeonwood)
Offers the specific variety of food and resources our native birds need to thrive.
Protecting our native wildlife
Aotearoa New Zealand’s wildlife evolved for millions of years without land mammals, leaving many native species defenceless against predators that hunt by smell. Today, introduced species like rats, stoats and possums pose the greatest threat to our biodiversity. These predators kill millions of birds every year and destroy the food sources they rely on. By managing predators, we restore the natural balance and allow native birds, lizards, and insects to safely return to our gardens.
In the Upper Harbour, we focus on managing these threats through community-led backyard trapping. Being a good neighbour means helping to create a "halo" of safety that protects wildlife across our entire district. We encourage the use of humane, target-specific traps to ensure the safety of local pets while making your property a true sanctuary for nature.
Meet our heroes
The Upper Harbour Ecological Connectivity Strategy focuses on protecting four "umbrella species". These heroes represent the health of our different local habitats; by helping them thrive, we protect all the wildlife in our area.
Kererū (New Zealand pigeon).
These large pigeons are our forest "gardeners" who spread the seeds of large native trees. Learn about kererū.
Pekapeka (long-tailed bat).
Our only native land mammals, these "thumb-sized" flyers represent the health of our mature forests because they depend on old-growth trees for their roosting sites. Learn about pekapeka.
Matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern).
You’re not likely to see this master of camouflage that represents the health of our remaining wetlands. Learn about matuku-hūrepo.
Mohu pererū (banded rail).
These shy residents of our saltmarshes and mangroves highlight the value of our coastal margins. Learn about mohu pererū.
Responsible pet ownership
Most of us consider pets part of the family. Being a responsible owner helps them live a long and safe life. A few simple steps help them thrive while keeping our native wildlife safe.
Practice responsible ownership by keeping cats on your property, which keeps them safe and significantly reduces their impact on local biodiversity.
Keep dogs under control and on leads where required to protect ground-dwelling birds. This also stops trouble with people and other dogs.
Never release aquarium pets like goldfish or turtles into local ponds or streams, as they can become invasive pests that destroy aquatic ecosystems.
Protecting our waterways
The health of our harbour starts right in our local streams. By planting native trees next to the water we create a natural filter that keeps our waterways clean. Well planted waterways also act as natural corridors for wildlife to travel safely around our region.
Joining a planting day is a great way to meet your neighbours and make a tangible difference. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just want to get your hands dirty for a good cause, we’d love for you to join us!
Our shared strategy
Te Wai Roa ō Kahu / Upper Harbour Pest Management Strategy guides our work. This plan helps our community protect and enhance the special places we love. We also follow the Upper Harbour Ecological Connectivity Strategy to create safe paths for wildlife. These "stepping stones" allow native birds to move freely and safely across our entire landscape.