Ngāti Pāhauwera were recipients of the Wai Ora Fund in 2022. This story shares an update on their project. On the 20th – 21st January 2024, Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust held a wānanga at Lake Rotoroa in Putere. In attendance were Pāhauwera tamariki, rangatahi, pakeke and kaumatua, representatives from Putere Marae, as well as staff from Putere School, local landowners and their tamariki, staff from Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotu, Trust kaimahi and Ngāti Tūwharetoa waikōura expert Dr Ian Kusabs. Those in attendance learned about: the waikōura life cycle; preferred habitat and threats; and traditional Māori methods (whakawehu) and scientific methods for catching and monitoring waikōura. Priority areas and actions for restoration in the local area were discussed, as well as intentions to apply for funding to undertake hornwort control, and riparian fencing and [...]

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 place for our hapū.  The Utuhina stream is made up of several tributaries with the main source being Karamu Takina, which was gifted by our Rangatira Raharuhi Pururu to the Rotorua Lakes Council back in the 1950’s and is now Rotorua’s main water source.  The Utuhina stream flows from the western side of Tihiotonga through the western suburbs and into Lake Rotorua. This stream has stormwater drains flowing into it and has been problematic with flooding, erosion, sedimentation, and the riparian areas along Tarewa Pounamu are being overrun with pest plants.  Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara have an aspiration to restore the [...]

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 local community opportunities to restore the Mangeroa Gully and participate in activities to create a thriving ecosystem for our wildlife, hapū, iwi, and local communities. Honehau Dargaville (age 9) reconnecting to the whenua at the first wānanga The project team is made up of three boisterous gals forever changing the landscape of home, one plant at a time! This transformation has our people at the centre and a key outcome of the project is reconnecting whānau to the whenua. The project has a strong research component that involves collating kōrero and historical texts on the significance of the gully [...]

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 taonga, in particular tuna, īnanga, kōura, kōaro, and kākahi. Terekaunuku Dean Flavell, Chair of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority Te Wai Māori is funding a pilot study to enable hapū and iwi to co-develop and test a freshwater fisheries monitoring plan. It would be guided by koeke and pūkenga interviews, waiata, hītori (i.e. where kaiawa used to be) and mātauranga-based monitoring methodologies (i.e. where kaiawa are now). This would guide habitat restoration planning and establish a framework for future years. Progress to date Formation of a project team; development of a project plan and interview questions and protocols. [...]