"It is great to see communities taking an active role in the kaitiakitanga of the environment and the trust is pleased to support this where we can."
Ms Douglas said one of the trust's primary objectives was to restore the mauri of the lakes and waterways and a key focus was improving water quality so the footsteps of the koura could be "seen", making this project a perfect fit with the trust's values.
"The trust's focus is wider than just environmental objectives, with social, economic and cultural objectives a key part of our work and decision making."
Miss Kereopa said over the last two summers the river had been deemed unsafe for swimming, which spurred her to do something to clean up the river.
"I grew up beside that river and used to be able to collect kai from it, like koura. My daughter, who is 9, has never seen koura in the river. That's happened in the space of one generation."
Miss Kereopa said she wanted to see things change and was working with a wider group in Ohinemutu and Koutu to find ways to improve it.
She said the aim was to clean up Utuhina from the Lake Rd bridge to the river mouth, and then they would look at working with other groups to extend that work.
Sunday's wananga will run from 10am to 4.30pm and involves cleaning up the area, as well as the opportunity for people to capture korero on video about what the river means to them, and the stories around the river. There will also be a children's art project and lunch will be provided.
Utuhina River Wananga
When: Sunday August 13, 10am - 4.30pm
Where: Te Kuirau Marae, Ohinemutu
Everyone welcome, activities for children provided