We are always looking for people with a range of skills to continue the growth and development of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River Network. Come along to one of our committee meetings, held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the South Library Board Room at 7:00pm or contact the Chair of OHRN
Who are we ?
OHRN Committee 2024/2025
Quentin McDonald
ChairMalcolm Long
Secretary, Communications, OperationsKay Robertson
TreasurerRachel Barker
CommitteeJenny Bond
CommitteeSally Coates
CommitteeSuzanne Furkert
CommitteeMiria Goodwin
CommitteeLynette Hartley
CommitteeAnnabelle Hasselman
CommitteeAlisdair Hutchison
CommitteeFinn Jackson
CommitteeTim Lindley
CommitteeColin Meurk
CommitteeDavid Sutherland
CommitteeKirsten Taylor
CommitteeChrissie Williams
CommitteeClaire Woolf
CommitteeHow we work
Our commitment to a healthy group culture includes:
Ground rules
- Communicating openly, honestly and clearly
- Being courteous, listening and not interrupting others
- Being supportive, respectful & peaceful
- Being responsible for self and reflective of actions
Our Journey
- Enjoy the journey towards our vision and purpose for the River
- Celebrate our success
- Use consensus decision making
- Work with the energy, enthusiasm and skill of the group
- Be adaptable and open to opportunities
- Work collaboratively with others
- Continue to develop our shared kaupapa with iwi
Our Constitution
The first written constitution was signed in 2017. However, in July 2021, a new set of rules was drafted and accepted.
Research into OHRN effectiveness
As part of the New Zealand Biological Heritage/Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho (BioHeritage) National Science Challenge, researchers from the Cawthron Institute investigated the effectiveness of OHRN, one of three collectives selected for the study. The intention of the research was to understand the potential of collectives to to connect and amplify community environmental action, and to identify how to set collectives up for success.
Click image to read the Research Report
Our History
A complete narrative tracing the formation of OHRN from its first faint possibility in 2013 to its incorporation in 2017 is available here. The milestones along the way are shown below.
Idea for organisation initiated as response to lack of integrated river management
Community meetings and facilitated workshops lead to Working Group being set up.
First Mother-of-all-Clean-ups on river.
Formal community vote on establishment of OHRN
First official submission on CCC LTP
Constitution adopted; Society Incorporated
Co-Chair: Karen Whitla & Helene Mautner
Chair: Annabelle Hasselman
Annual submissions to CCC & ECan commence
New constitution adopted
Springs project commenced
Chair: Quentin McDonald
Chair: Quentin McDonald