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 harvests are sustainable and increasing knowledge of the tuna populations. Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō project weighing tuna (Photo credit: Naomi Aporo-Manihera) Initially, mahi was set to begin monitoring the tuna population in Rotoroa during Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō’s September 2021 annual harvest. However, due to COVID, the harvest/monitoring was delayed and instead carried out this year on the 25th and 26th of January, as part of the iwi’s Mana Rangatahi Programme. Working with the Department of Conservation, (DOC), 14 nets were set overnight at a range of locations throughout the lake. The catch didn’t disappoint, [...]
Whangawehi Catchment Restoration Project
Overview The focus for the Wai Ora application was to enhance the 40 ha network of wetland retired in 2000 on the Taharoa Trust. These wetlands play a key role in filtering and cleansing the water as well as offering key habitats for our local biodiversity. The owners intend to spray the weeds and enhance their wetlands by in filling native trees where needed. This year, we have focused our resources on 2 wetlands around Sues’ garden. Weeds have been sprayed off late in November and plantings were established in May 2019. A clean site around a wetland has been planted in September with 300 flaxes. The WCMG has managed a community-led restoration programme since 2013 and the implementation of their catchment management plan was supported by Wai Ora funding. The management plan, initially, focused on [...]
Wai Ora Lake Ōkataina Fisheries Project
About the project The Lake Ōkataina Taonga Fisheries Project is a joint collaboration between Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Ngāti Tarawhai Iwi Trust to undertake baseline kōura assessment using traditional Tau Kōura methods on Lake Ōkataina. Lake Ōkataina is one of fourteen lakes within the Rotorua region and is located 30 minutes from the Rotorua city centre on State Highway 30. Lake Okataina and surrounding lakes The Lake Ōkataina Taonga Fisheries Project enabled local hapū members to actively participate in kōura monitoring under the expert guidance of local expert, Dr Ian Kusabs, supported by Joe Butterworth and environmental experts from Te Arawa Lakes Trust. This project sought to provide the hapū of Lake Ōkataina with a knowledge base about kōura species within the Te Arawa lakes – via a baseline assessment project and ongoing [...]
The River Talks – Ōmaru Restorative Action Project
Overview Te Wai Māori Trust supported the Ōmaru Restorative Action Project to restore the mana of Ōmaru, a waterway in Glen Innes, Auckland. This was achieved through a three-day hui called “River Talks” held at Ruapōtaka Marae. The hui was attended by 300 people and had 30 speakers across a range of topics including the environmental damage and neglect of the waterway, social disparity and justice, and issues around colonisation. Since 2013 Mad Ave has managed annual awareness and education programs integrating the kaupapa of restorative action within Council plans, local organisations and schools. The engagement portion is aptly named The River Talks. The celebrated engagement event typically happens in February and has done so since its 2013 inception. Coordinated and Facilitated by Mad Ave Navigator Tāmati Patuwai, Artists; from poets, dancers, graphic artists and musicians [...]