Restoring Flow with SORT
When I came into the fold of Save Our River Trust (SORT), I stepped into a kaupapa already rich with two decades of dedication. Community leaders, iwi, and hapū had long been working in service to Piriharakeke—the Manawatū River Loop at Foxton.
Their efforts had taken many forms: beautification, cultural preservation, the creation of the Piriharakeke Walkway, and a deep guardianship over the stories of this place. There was already momentum, mana, and a profound knowing in the soil.
“The credibility and track record were already present. My role wasn’t to lead it, but to walk beside it—bringing clarity to complexity and opening doors for engagement.”
After time spent listening, observing, and immersing myself in the kaupapa, I co-designed a strategic framework that brought shape to what had been evolving organically. In project language, it might be called an intervention logic—but in essence, it was a way to align story, systems, and service.
One of the core insights was simple but powerful:
“Even if the awa is not yet safe to swim or fish in, it remains a safe and healing place to be with. The wairua of the awa never left—it just needed more of us to return to it.”
Over the past 2.5 years, this guiding insight has taken form through real and tangible expressions of community engagement:
Pop-up eats events on the riverbank and Easter egg hunts that gently reintroduced whānau to the awa
1,000+ native plants added through collective beautification projects
Tamariki and mokopuna connecting with Piriharakeke through play, learning, and storytelling
A consistent digital presence that increased awareness and engagement
The launch of Te Awahou Waka Ama—an offshoot initiative of SORT volunteers and the wider community to more people on the water.
Reclaiming Story, Restoring Flow
The development of SORT’s first website marked a key moment in the organisation’s evolution. It became a home for:
Narrative sovereignty—where true stories of the awa and its kaitiaki could live
Accessible calls to action—support through donations, volunteering, and advocacy
Ongoing education—with the most visited content being the history of the awa
Today, over 120 visitors a month engage with the site, many seeking ways to connect with and support the kaupapa.
“This work helped bring visibility to what had long been happening quietly. More hands are now coming to the mahi. More hearts are returning to the awa.”
Behind the scenes, SORT has grown in strength and structure:
Digitised minutes and document storage
Improved internal comms and meeting leadership
Clearer rhythm of mahi across the board
These operational shifts created a spaciousness that allowed the kaupapa to grow—not louder, but deeper.
Measured, Meaningful Impact
This mahi called for clear thinking, strong systems, and an ability to bridge stories with strategy. That’s what I brought.
By strengthening internal rhythm, lifting communications, and creating space for the true narrative of the awa to be seen and understood—I helped shape the conditions for this kaupapa to thrive long-term.
My work isn’t about stepping into the spotlight. It’s about ensuring the kaupapa moves forward with integrity, cohesion, and flow.
That’s the kind of impact I offer—measurable, meaningful, and built to last.
Out there with my hands in the soil, baby on my hip, planting alongside our people. This mahi isn’t just work—it’s a way of showing my tamariki what it means to serve, to speak te reo in real spaces, and to grow something that lasts. (Photo Credit: SORT)
