Rebuilding Nature Together
The Craigieburn Basin is an iconic landscape, beloved and treasured by tangata whenua, locals, other New Zealanders, and visitors alike. Significant tracts of native flora and fauna were destroyed by the Bridge Hill fire in December 2024.
The extended Craigieburn community is united in its desire to restore the area damaged by the fire. The fire has been a catalyst to bring people together to think about the future of the wider Craigieburn Basin. The Craigieburn Fire Recovery Trust has been formed and the group has a 100 year vision.
In 100 years the Craigieburn Basin will be teeming with life - thriving, self-sustaining ecosystems where taonga species flourish and invasive threats are eliminated. People are drawn to this place for adventure and to live, learn, work, and play. We have resilient, indigenous biodiversity alongside healthy and robust communities. We are continually learning how to better support our cherished and unique mountain ecosystems and environment for the benefit of all.
The Trust and the Working Group are made up of committed individuals representing landowners, conservation and community groups, government agencies, and learning institutions. Everyone is welcome! We are excited about the work ahead.
Please email admin@craigieburntrust.co.nz if you would like to join our group or be added to the mailing list to receive our quarterly newsletter.
Our Long Term Strategic Objectives
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Visible increase in indigenous biodiversity - e.g. flocks of kea, kaka, takahe, and kakariki are present and abundant; skinks and geckos scurry across the landscape; insect life is prolific, native vegetation is expansive and flourishing.
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The health of water and soils is sustained and enhanced.
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Social cohesion - we’re better together. Our communities are engaged, active and informed.
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We’re here for the long term - the Trust is enduring, it is financially robust and has the capabilities it needs.
Our 5 Year Goals
Benchmark current state - Baselined, and documented, understanding of environmental aspects of the Craigieburn Basin including indigenous vegetation, indigenous birds and other fauna, pest numbers, invasive weeds, water quality, etc.
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Measurable improvements in indigenous biodiversity - Revegetation of burnt area; a meaningful part of the burnt area has establishing native vegetation cover.
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People are inspired to action - Improved awareness of the Trust’s mission and work has created active engagement across stakeholders. We benefit from strong volunteer effort, support and advocacy from the community.
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Strong partnerships - Robust and enduring partnerships underpin everything we do. Working with others to deliver projects is what we do best.
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Capability - Established and funded organisation. The Trust is well governed, has a capable team, a healthy culture and proven ways of working.
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Practical long term and annual work plans guide our work - Plans have been developed for pest management, weed management and vegetation restoration. Annual plans describe the specific activities to be delivered each year. People know where we are going.
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Knowledge management - We have a central database/platform that collates and organises data, traditional knowledge, and field experience from our work, making it easy for team members to access past lessons and apply them to current and future projects.
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Monitoring and measurement - Reporting and verification framework; framework is designed and sufficiently mature to support future planning, funding applications and ongoing reporting requirements.
Principles to guide our work
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People and Community First - We create warm, welcoming and safe spaces for people to come together. We build genuine partnerships based on trust, respect, and mutual benefit. Everyone's mana is enhanced through our work.
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Be bold and plan for tomorrow - We start with possibilities, not limitations. We plan our work with purpose, think long-term and build resilience into everything we do.
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Smart Action - We combine local knowledge, Mātauranga Māori, science, and practical experience to create solutions that work. We value progress over perfection.
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Learn Together - We're curious explorers, not evangelists. We build on the wisdom of others and learn from every experience.
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Tell Stories That Matter - We share our work through compelling stories that inspire people to care and take action.
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Work in the Open - We're transparent and inclusive, building trust through honest communication, shared decision-making and collaborative projects.
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Use Technology Wisely - We harness digital tools to amplify our impact and create better solutions for our communities.
West Coast Road, Craigieburn