Whakamārama

Who are we? Pūniu Inc is making Aotearoa more environmentally resilient - not just for our generation, but generations to come.  

‍In our journey, guided by Te Ao Māori, we dream of a future where our Taiao thrives. Where clear, life-giving waters flow through our lands and our whenua is safe and nurtures us. We see our communities connected by the principles of kaitiakitanga, actively caring for our awa, moana, and all living things. In this vision, the waters of places like the Pūniu River are a source of pride and a testament to our collective efforts to respect and nurture Papatūānuku.

‍Our vision is to create and nurture safe, thriving environments where healthy waters sustain vibrant communities across Aotearoa. We are guided by the principle of Kaitiakitanga, committed to restoring and protecting our land, water, and people, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.

‍Our role in this collective journey extends from Te Wai Pounamu to Te Ika a Maui. That’s nationwide, e te whānau! We're committed to planting native trees, acknowledging their vital role in climate change mitigation and water resource management. These trees are critical in rural areas for flood control and water quality preservation and in urban settings for improving air quality, providing cooling shade, and lifting biodiversity. 

‍We focus on the well-being and development of our whānau too. We gauge our contribution through various metrics, including team growth and individual learning and development. 

‍And we’re not alone. Pūniu Inc. are aligned with a network of groups, including Native Plant Propagators, Cultural Advisors, and Environmental Scientists. We strive for a harmonious and sustainable future for Aotearoa's natural resources and communities. Together, we recognise that our collective efforts are essential in shaping an environmentally resilient Aotearoa.

The Pūniu River flows from within the Pureora Forest, past four Marae: Mangatoatoa, Rāwhitiroa, Aotearoa and Whakamārama through to Pirongia where it flows into the Waipā River, and then on to the Waikato River. At 83kms long, this makes the Pūniu River one of the longest secondary tributaries in Aotearoa.

The Pūniu river holds a cultural significance to local marae, hapū and iwi. The river gets its name from the Patupaiarehe (Māori mythical being of human form) that travelled down the river from the Pureora Forest seeking knowledge of the future by supernatural means.

‍“Pūniu River, once a clear river with a gravelly bottom is now brown with a muddy silt bed”

‍Pūniu River was once a rich source of freshwater kai and provided many picnic and swimming spots for the local people. Currently the river is not classified as being of a swimmable standard. The tuna stocks have depleted in some areas, the banks of the rivers are eroding and over 10,000 tonnes of sediment discharges into the Waipā river from the Pūniu River every year.