Case study 2 – Waikotihe Puna
The NRC Water Resilience Fund has allowed Kaikohe fund Waikotihe Puna use trusted community champions to help identify recipients.
The drought over the 2019/2020 summer left a lasting impression in Te Taitokerau and exposed significant water challenges, particularly amongst rural communities without access to public water supply.
Recognising the water challenges facing many in Te Taitokerau, and as part of its climate action mahi, Northland Regional Council has provided funding to a number of community linked providers to ensure water tanks can be placed where they’re most needed.
Hone Dalton, project manager for the Kaikohe fund Waikotihe Puna and Te Kotahitanga Marae Community Water proposal uses a model that relies on ‘trusted community champions’ to help identify those most in need of water tanks – a system he says works well for his community.
Kaikohe fund recipient Tina Broomfield shares her home with her five mokopuna.
When Hone first contacted Tina about installing a water tank at her property she was initially apprehensive and had a “you don’t get anything for free” mentality.
With support from her son, Tina was able to clear a space for the tank to be placed. His first question, “what’s it like to be having real showers mum?”
“It’s awesome” was her reply. “I’m really thankful - not having to worry about water during the summertime means I can carry on and not worry.”
The water tank means Tina and her whanau can now water the maara kai (garden) and she is able to do multiple washing loads a day without thinking twice. Most importantly, Tina won’t be needing costly water truck deliveries over the summer months thanks to her upsized 30,000l tank.
While the proposal helped individual 15 households it also included support water resilience at the Waikotihe Puna which has served the community for well over 60 years. The puna is shared between 15 households and three community buildings however more recently it had become apparent long-term water security of the puna was in jeopardy. As a result the fund allowed for six 30,000ltr header tanks to be installed at the puna to continue accommodating safe and plentiful drinking water for the small community it services.
