It was a strange situation to say the least, when the Kororāreka Russell Community Kaitiaki Wharf Trust was established! But five years on, things have settled down and the Trust has quietly been going about its business.
The original Russell Wharf and Waterfront Trust was established to address an urgent need to repair the boat ramp and wharf, both much neglected. The FNDC didn’t seem interested in Russell so some community-minded individuals bandied together created a Trust. They managed to raise enough money to repair the boat ramp and make a start on the Wharf – we owe them a debt of gratitude for their efforts. A few years later, as part of a Provincial Growth Fund Application, Council proposed to transfer the Russell Wharf over to Far North Holdings.
After a period of community engagement, Far North Holdings agreed that they would work in a co-governance arrangement with the community to upgrade the wharf. For this to happen, it was agreed that a new Wharf Trust with members elected from the community be established to ensure the community had a voice in the management of our Maritime assets.
The Wharf Trust has quite a wide brief, basically anything on the waterfront including any children’s playground (the pontoon) to make sure that they can act as a vehicle for community engagement, as well as the wharf and boat ramp itself. The Trust’s goal is to work in partnership with other community organisations to help get things done. They have
- Partnered with Kororāreka Marae to install the Waharoa (Gateway) and Wero (Challenge at the start of the wharf) to reflect the Māori history of the community.
- Initiated discussions with Far North Holdings about upgrading the boat ramp and trailer boat parking. This work is now being done, some four years after being scoped!
- Partnered with Resilient Russell to help fund the Pop-up recycling centre over Christmas to keep our wharf and waterfront free of rubbish
- Helped get the pontoon back into service for kids to use over summer
- Monitoring the erosion below the cannon and will be working with Councils on a solution to address this specific issue (an initiative of the late Tim Grant, sadly missed)
- Developed their logo, website and strategic plan