We are thrilled to have formed a partnership with WAI Wānaka.

WAI Wānaka is a community organisation, accelerating local action for freshwater to ensure healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations. They foster an understanding of and connection to local lakes and rivers, offering our people the tools to reduce their impact and take action.

The partnership is a natural fit for our team, given our value of "Responsibility" - caring for our work, our team and our environment - Kaitiakitangi. 

We kicked off our WAI Wānaka partnership by adopting the drain at our head office - we are all now responsible for ensuring no pollutants are washed down that drain! 

Why do we care? What is Stormwater? Where does it go?

Stormwater comes from water that runs off rooftops, lawns, cars, driveways, hard surfaces and streets. It flows into our drainage system which is a complex network of underground ‘streams’ that lead straight into the nearest lake or river.

As stormwater flows towards a drain, it naturally picks up dirt, leaves, sticks and other organic materials. It also picks up things you may not see, such as pesticides or fertilisers from your garden, car oil, grease, paint and cleaning products. Rubbish, including microplastics, and sediment can also be washed into drains. Most of the non-organic materials are toxic to freshwater ecosystems.

Whatever goes down our drains eventually flows untreated into our waterways – ie the lake!

While our adopted drain at the Hub isn't actually connected to the stormwater system - it goes to an underground sump - the principle is the same and it serves as a reminder: nothing nasty down the drains!