Waitakere City is the fifth largest city in New Zealand with a population of approximately 168,750, growing at over 2% a year since the mid-eighties. It is a young city, with three-quarters below 45 years which includes one quarter below 15 years of age. The City's diverse landscape supports orcharding, horticulture and viticulture and high amenity industrial land. At its western edge are the magnificent bush clad Waitakere ranges and the open wild beaches of the West Coast. To the south and east are the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours. Its urban area, shaped by post-war expansion, forms a network of villages, town centres and suburban sprawl.

History
The original inhabitants of the area were Te Kawerau a Maki and Ngati Whatua.

European settlement began in the 1830s. Timber milling, kauri gum digging and flax milling were the earliest industries. Between 1836 and the early 1940s over 50 logging operations took place throughout the major catchments of the City and milling resulted in the almost total removal of original vegetation. From the 1920s onward, many farms in the Ranges went out of production due to economic conditions and/or land purchase for water supply purposes or reserves. The former farm areas have naturally re-established with native vegetation to the point that there is now 90% native vegetation cover over the Waitakere Ranges. This re-established natural environment has become a feature of prime importance to Waitakere Cityand the region.

Eco City
Being an eco city means working together for better social, economic and environmental outcomes for our children, our grandchildren and ourselves. It means working with people and communities to:

• Build a strong local economy
• Create attractive town centres with good road and passenger transport access
• Protect and expand the “green network ”which links our streams and parks from the Ranges to the sea
• Use resources better, and produce less waste
• Improve the wellbeing of residents

Water
EcoWater Solutions is the unit of Waitakere City Council that manages the 'three waters' - water supply, wastewater, and stormwater. EcoWater Solutions is heading a number of projects in Waitakere city. Included in these projects are environmental awareness and improvement campaigns, education programmes for schools and presentations at local and national conferences on the three-waters.