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 planting to protect and extend the habitat available for waikōura.
The wānanga has resulted in a monitoring programme for waikōura populations at Rotoroa and one of her tributaries. Putere School will be involved in carrying out the monitoring, and Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust will use the results to prioritise next steps for restoring and protecting waikōura populations in the area.
Monitoring is also planned for other parts of the Pāhauwera rohe, and staff from Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui ā Orotu are planning to implement what they learned in their rohe as well.
