After the Floods
What the People of Chilcott Road Want Next
Since the 2023 floods, sections of the Chilcott Road community in Henderson don't exist anymore. Te Wai o Pareira rose beyond what the banks could hold and inundated Tui Glen Reserve and many homes on Chilcott Road.
Twelve homes were assessed as no longer safe to live in and removed, leaving a stretch of vacant, now council-owned land beside homes where people still live, still walk past, have thoughts and ideas about what should happen with the now bare greenscape.
What happens to that land hasn't been decided yet. Community Waitākere as part of the Community Flood Resilience programme led in the West by Te Kawerau ā Maki, in partnership with Auckland Council Healthy Waters are engaging with these impacted neighbourhoods to understand and support community aspirations.
Simon Vincent, Community Developer in Climate Action has, through a range of activations, been in conversation with the residents who stayed – to understand what would make the most sense for them.
“Over a series of Street Chats, play events and surveys it is clear the community want a space that brings people together, connects them to the taiao and recognises the needs of a diverse range of ages and cultures”.
The same handful of things keep coming up: garden allotments, so people have a place to meet, connect and grow their own food. A serenity garden - a place to practice mindfulness. And an outdoor exercise space built into the landscape, an idea one senior resident raised for their own mobility, but one Simon says could just as easily serve tamariki and everyone in between. Rangatahi are making use of the space, forming bike jumps and are keen to be involved in making the space a safe, enjoyable place.
Nothing brings this sentiment home more than the resident who said, “I have lived here for 45 years and at this event I met a neighbour, for the first time, who has lived here for 20. I want something that brings us together.
Community Waitākere alongside the community are turning the site into a Backyard Park: a place to garden together, connect, protect the established fruit trees, clear the pest plants, and open up safe space for everyone, while allowing the community the space to consider their next steps.
The mahi is made possible through the Purapura Community Fund - led by Te Kawerau ā Maki and Auckland Council.
Residents also said they wanted to be involved in clean ups and plantings alongside Te Wai O Pareira. The local Scouts with support from Community Waitākere carried out a stream clean up and pest plant removal. A local group is forming to carry out regular stream-side maintenance and a Chilcott resident is a long term pest trapper along the awa.
“None of it is an unusual ask,” Vincent explains. “it's what most people want from the place they live: to feel safe there, to show care for the natural environment around them, and to have a real say in what happens in their neighbourhood.”