Te Mana o Ngā Tuna was formed in 2017 after concerns were raised by iwi about the plight of longfin and shortfin tuna. In response, Te Wai Māori established Te Mana o Ngā Tuna to act as an advisory group to the Trust focussing on advocating for and protecting critical habitat and the life cycle of tuna. The group’s primary purpose is to advocate for tuna, and to tautoko iwi/Māori who are working in the freshwater fisheries restoration space.
Te Mana o Ngā Tuna has recently welcomed two new members, Ngapera Rangiaho and Erina Wehi-Barton onto the roopu.
Ngapera Rangiaho presented at the Māori Freshwater Fisheries Conference in Taupō at the end of August. She is the Chair of the Kokopu Trust, Director of Tūhoe Fisheries Quota Limited, and Ngai Tūhoe representative on the Rangataiki River Forum. Ngapera has worked extensively in the freshwater space with whānau, hapū and iwi.
Erina Wehi-Barton is uri nō Rereahu/Maniapoto and has spent the last 10 years establishing rangatahi/whānau initiatives teaching Te mana o ngā tuna in Maniapoto through pūrākau and observing the behaviours of awa and tuna. In addition, she has worked with NIWA water testing and monitoring tuna. Erina is a Director of Whai Mārama Consultancy and a tikanga-led taiao engagement facilitator and māramataka hunting guide.
We are thrilled to have them on board.
