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Ngati Whatua o Orakei and Auckland Museum are enlisting scientists and community members to conduct a bio blitz.
Entomologist Ruud Kleinpaste says the aim of the 22-hour event is to identify and record all the species living in Pourewa Reserve and Kepa Block.
The land on the side of the valley running inland from the Orakei Basin was returned to the hapu as part of its historic treaty settlement.
He says as a former Meadowbank resident he can testify to the traditional importance of the catchment, which terminates in St John’s Bush.
" I’ve had whitebait literally in the streams, in my garden as the stream crossed my garden and I can see koura there, theres tuna there, theres all sorts of stuff. So if you're thinking about this piece of land I think it is in need of restoration going back to the I suppose the mahinga kai that it use to be " says Ruud Kleinpaste
Teams will be out on the job until 11 tonight, and then back into it at 7 in the morning, with the grand tally announced around 3pm.
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