Groundwater science shared in new Hastings water centre
The Waiaroha Heretaunga Discovery Centre is an education centre exploring the importance of water and its journey from the mountains, rivers, streams, wetlands and aquifers, household taps, and out to sea. GNS Science groundwater experts have played a part in the development of some of the exciting new interactive learning tools.
On Friday 6 October, the Waiaroha Heretaunga Discovery Centre in central Hastings was officially opened with a dawn blessing and pōwhiri led by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga. Sitting alongside the state-of-the-art water treatment and storage facility, is a world-first education centre tasked to help people understand the importance of water, where it comes from, and how to protect it.
From animated videos about the Heretaunga aquifer, to touchscreen games and interactives, the centre is packed full of learning opportunities for visitors young and old, and the concrete exterior of the treatment plant is etched with designs by local artists. Even the landscaping reflects the story of water.
Sharing our knowledge of the Heretaunga aquifer
One of GNS Science’s focus areas is improving knowledge and understanding of Aotearoa’s groundwater resources and developing tools and models for efficient and sustainable groundwater management. Our groundwater science team has worked extensively in the Heretaunga Plains and were invited to provide expert scientific advice for the ‘Our Amazing Aquifer’ video and the interactive map of the aquifer displayed in the centre.
The video also features footage of our scientists working with mana whenua as part of our national research programme Te Whakaheke o Te Wai, using world-leading water dating techniques, and the innovative SkyTEM electromagnetic scanner collecting data from the skies through our work with Hawke's Bay Regional Council on the 3D Aquifer Mapping Project.
Conny Tschritter, GNS Science Hydrogeology and Geophysics Acting Team Leader, says that with the increasing pressures on our freshwater resources from land use and climate change, it’s important the community has the opportunity to learn about the importance of our groundwater systems and how to protect this hidden resource beneath our feet.
"It’s exciting to see the development of an education centre focused on freshwater, and the creative and innovative ways that stories and information about the aquifer and groundwater are being shared."
GNS Science is delighted to have shared our scientific expertise and knowledge to help inform some of the resources available for the public to enjoy and explore in the centre.
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said that, following the tragic events of the 2016 Havelock North water crisis, Hastings District Council was now leading the charge in drinking water treatment and telling the wider story of water.
“There’s nothing like this in the world – sitting in the middle of a city, open for people to look around and incorporating Māori principles and tikanga – this kind of infrastructure is usually hidden away.”
“Add to that the educational element that has been designed to help us understand our water cycle and how we protect and manage it – it’s very unique.”
