Welcome to Te Wai Māori
the Māori Freshwater Fisheries Trust
Te Wai Māori was established under the Maori Fisheries Act 2004 to advance Māori interests in freshwater fisheries. Protecting Māori interests in freshwater fisheries ultimately means protecting habitat to ensure quality water and abundant species. Freshwater fisheries include species, habitat, surrounding land, water column, water quality and quantity. We are a product of the Deed of Settlement (Māori Fisheries Settlement) 1992 and an entity of Te Ohu Kai Moana Group
Tuna advocacy roopu welcomes new Co-Chairs
Te Wai Māori Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Co-Chairs to tuna advisory group, Te Mana o ngā Tuna. Erina Watene (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāi Te Rangi), is a freshwater scientist with a background in tāonga [...]
Two inspiring days at Māori Freshwater Fisheries Conference 2023
In November, over 240 kaitiaki wai māori gathered in Wakatū for the Māori Freshwater Fisheries Conference. Our kaikōrero spoke about some of the incredible mahi that whānau, hapū, iwi, researchers, and ecologists are undertaking across Aotearoa. The challenges are many: [...]
Successful recipients of the 2023 Wai Ora Fund announced
The 2023 Wai Ora Fund has been awarded to six projects from iwi, hapū and whānau across Aotearoa. Entering its 11th year, the Wai Ora Fund has continued to support iwi, hapū, and whānau to fulfil aspirations for freshwater fisheries [...]
Lake Koitiata – Te Rūnanga o Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa
About the project Lake Koitiata is a dune lake within the Rangitīkei rohe where uri of Ngāti Apa and Ngā Wairiki are the mana whenua. It represents a unique remnant of ancestral landscape within the [...]
Utuhina Stream – Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara
Overview of project Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara are a hapū of Te Arawa and hold manawhenua over the area of Tarewa Pounamu, of which the Utuhina stream runs alongside it and therefore holds a special [...]
The Mangeroa Gully Restoration – Te Ani Waata Whānau Trust
About the project The Mangeroa Gully Restoration is a bold 30-year plan to create the first green corridor from Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain to the Waikato River. The strategy gives Ngāti Koroki Kahukura whānau and the [...]
Taonga Wai Māori Mapping Project – Environs Te Uri o Hau
About the project Mahi with Patuharakeke at Pukekauri. Te Uri o Hau Kaitiaki Bill Paikea (standing) for Otamatea Marae, identifying taonga species (tuna) Environs Holdings Ltd the environmental subsidiary of the Te Uri [...]
Kaituna Pātaka Kai Project – Te Maru o Kaituna
The Kaituna Pātaka Kai Project is a collaboration led by tāngata whenua representatives of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority. It is a way to preserve and revitalise mātauranga, tikanga and kawa per-taining to freshwater [...]
Tuna Monitoring in Lake Rotoroa – Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō
As part of the settlement of Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō with the Crown, the iwi can harvest tuna from Nelson Lakes for customary purposes. This kaupapa combines cultural revitalisation and conservation—ensuring that tuna [...]