Houghton Valley is a coastal area in southern Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) that once ran with the waters of a small creek that flowed into Houghton Bay. In the 1900s, the valley was used as a city rubbish tip, and the creek, that contained many forms of life and native eels, was buried and diverted underground. In recent decades, community-led restoration efforts have brought life back to the area, including the return of native birds. At dawn, the valley now rings with the distinctive calls of Tūī, known for their melodic song and clicks, and the zipping presence of the smaller Pīwakawaka (fantails). The community is working together to “lift the creek” and heal this layered landscape. https://www.houghtonvalley.org.nz