AWA Trails Project
He muka harakeke, he whitau tangata' - the fibre of flax, the fibre of people
It's time to get those walking shoes on and discover the AWA Trails project!
Three primary schools and one intermediate school in Christchurch's Eastern suburbs have designed walking trails around their neighbourhoods to encourage people to get active, connect, and celebrate their communities' historical, social, ecological and natural treasures.
AWA means river in Maori. It is also an acronym for Aranui, Wainoni, and Avondale, one of the areas our Avon-Otakaro River winds through. Each of the trails includes activities along the way that relate to the 5 Ways to Wellbeing (Be Active, Take Notice, Connect, Learn, and Give).
The schools have designed some neat posters to keep you on track (keep an eye out for footprints on the footpath too!). And a big thank you to Te Marino Lenihan for suggesting the very appropriate whakatauki and to Raph Stowers for designing our logo.
Maps have been distributed to residents in the area, and there are some copies at ACTIS and Aranui Library. You can also download your map, or take a photo of the map that's positioned at the start of each trail to guide you through it!
So grab your AWA Trails map, find some friends, and get walking!
Check the Transport for Christchurch website so that roadworks don't get in the way of your walk.
"The east has lost a lot of our past in the form of buildings but we are so much more than those material things, we are people who are part of the community. We also advocate healthy living and believe a strong community is also a healthy community, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Resilience can be strengthened through the support we give each other, we greatly support east Christchurch and the AWA walking trails." - Adrielle Carrasco, Director of Adventist Health Ministries
"This project is a fantastic idea. When people of all ages discover the roots of where they live, it can bring excitement and a sense of identity. I'm looking forward to seeing the map and the trails." - Tim Baker, Chair Aranui Primary School, Burwood/Pegasus Board Member, author of 'Aranui & Wainoni History' and 'Professor Bickerton's Wainoni.'
