DEDICATED TO; CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR WHĀNAU, MARAE AND HAPŪ

COMMITTED TO; PROVIDING SUPPORT AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR A PURPOSEFUL OUTCOME

DETERMINED TO; SEE THE FRUITS OF THE LABOUR FLOURISH IN A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT

This pilot project, which is funded by The Waikato River Authority with support from Te Puni Kōkiri for the cadetship is set to start in early 2020 and will look to achieve the following objectives;

• A total of 16.4 kilometres of riparian margins (including both riparian and wetland areas) is fenced with setbacks providing increased soil and streambank stability;
• Stock are excluded from a total of 10 hectares that is planted with native trees, providing increased shade, shelter and food for indigenous fish with co-benefits of terrestrial biodiversity;
• 10 kaitiaki engaged in NZQA training through a cadetship programme coordinated by PRC;
• Waikeria Prison inmates engaged in NZQA training supported by PRC with the aim of sharing technical expertise and advice in relation to environmental enhancement and propagation systems; and
• With the development of PRC’s restoration guide (see link); the capability and capacity of PRC has increased enabling PRC to provide leadership and inspiration for atleaset 3-5 other marae whānau per year to undertake their own environmental restoration and enhancement initiatives, including marae wānanga and planting days

Importantly, this project gives effect to Te Ture Whaimana o te Awa o Waikato – The Vision and Strategy for the Waikato River; as it directly contributes to the following objectives for the Waikato River, with the Waipā River being its largest tributory:

• Restoration and protection of the health and wellbeing of the Waikato River;
• The restoration and protection of the relation of the Waikato River iwi according to their tikanga and kawa, with the Waikato River;
• The restoration and protection of the relation of the Waikato regions’s communities with the Waikato River;
• Implementing an integrated, holistic and co-ordinated approach to the management of the natural, physical, cultural and historic resources of the Waikato River;
• The protection and enhancement of significant sites, fisheries, flora and fauna;
• The restoration of water quality within the Waikato River so that it is safe for people to swim in and take food from over its entire length;
• The promotion of improved access to the Waikato River, to better enable sporting, recreational and cultural opportunities; and
• The application to the above of both mātauranga māori and latest available scientific methods

PLANTING ECO-SOURCED NATIVE TREES

Over the first 2 years of Te Manawanui o Waipā we have carried out planting on 9 different properties . All sites were planted to a high standard with spacing’s of 1.5m along awa margins retired and fenced from the respective landowners. Job Safety Analysis toolbox meetings were held and recorded at each site. A total of 56,685 riparian species were planted in Year 1 and 42,504 riparian species + 11,235 long lived species in Year 2 .

A total of 24.98 ha of riparian marginal stretch, wetland areas and an Oxbow were planted along the Pūniu, Moakurarua and Mangatutu Awa, all tributaries to the Waipā Awa.

A total of 15% of long-lived shade tolerant species were planted in amongst Year 1’s riparian planting sites. Totara (Podocarpus totara) made up the total number of long-lived species that were inter-planted with all Totara being supported with stakes and ties. A total of 11,235 Totara were planted over 14.9 ha at 5 different sites.

To date; 110,424 native rākau have been planted along waterways for this project made up of the following species; Manatū, Harakeke, Whanake, Upokotangata, Putaputaweta, Tarata, Rautahi, Pūrei, Akeake, Putaputaweta, Toetoe, Kānuka, Harakeke, Whanake and Totara.

Within this range of native species hold unique properties that provide rongoā (natural medicines) for te taiao and the the people. By propagating native trees through PRC nursery it has enabled the organisation to develop a good understanding of rongoā māori and the medicinal & healing properties of our native rākau. Kaimahi have gained experience in practical use of rongoā by being able to make manuka soap, Koromiko for upset stomach & kawakawa panipani as a healing balm.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The demands for eco-sourced native trees have increased over recent times. The establishment of the Waikato River Authority funding for restoration projects and the completion of the Waikato and Waipā Rivers Restoration Strategy has contributed to the demand. A key component that will need to be managed for the increase in potential iwi lead projects is to ensure adequate leadership training to up skill our Rangitahi.

Alongside the practical training in the various programmes that aid effective project management, the focus and emphasis on Kaitiakitanga is unsurpassed. A value that is instilled throughout the minds of the whole organisation encapsulating the true meaning of being a Kaitiaki. By understanding the concept of Kaitiakitanga we can further enhance our connection to our mahi by carrying the mana of being a true guardian through to our mahi on the ground.

Cadets have gained valuable skills and training in first aid, workplace health & safety, growsafe and 4wd. We have also had # cadets progress to their next level of drivers licence and # cadets on formal qualifications.

To support the employment, development, and mentoring of māori cadets, including gaining workplace and formal industry skills and qualifications, leadership training, and opportunities to progress to senior positions

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

A collaboration with Wintec was presented within this project where 15 rangatahi (students) came to participate in a specific site planting event enabling the students to gain a practical unit standard. Pūniu River Care coordinated the planting event and covered health and safety aspects to ensure the safety of all on site

An important aspect of our mahi is that we make a spiritual and physical connection with the whenua. That is when our haerenga to Pureora came about and gave us an opportunity to pay our respects to the whenua and understand not only geographical references in relation to connections of our waterways, but also to hear about the history of the awa and to understand the stories of change over its lifetime.

We were lucky enough to visit some whānau that are closely connected to Pureora Forest and the Waipā Awa to hear their stories and knowledge of history. Moera and Francis Hughes, who carry out their own water, fauna and flora monitoring at the top of the Waipā took us on a tour from Mangaokewa stream to the headwaters of the Waipā Awa within the ancient Pureora Forest.

To feel the connection with the whenua and the wairua within the ngahere was a humbling and grounding experience. Hearing the knowledge and the history of the area with its captivating stories of mischevious Patupaiarehe to then witnessing the natural regeneration of our native rākau, despite the mass pines that now take the place of a once dense and native ngahere gives us a sense of hope. We know that we are on the right track to help protect and preserve our taiao by continuing on our journey of restoration.

In order to inspire others, we too need to feel inspired and this visit was an important one for our next project. To support our connection, a Pou was placed near the repo in which the Waipā and Pūniu water originates.

The concept behind the pou was to plant our mauri in the whenua at the headlands of the river. By having each person physically rub it, was the idea of giving a piece of your mauri to the pou that was planted in the ground, and by that having your mauri entrenched in the whenua ki reira, mo ake tonu atu.

This was also erected there as a koha of recognition ki ngā kaitiaki, Moera and Francis Hughes, for their genuine aroha and work over a vast piece of Aotearoa, ensuring it’s mana and legacy we know as “The Pureora” may live on forever and forever.

MEASURING AND MONITORING RESTORATION

Restoration of the Pūniu Awa, Waipā Awa & Waikato Awa including all tributaries is of significant spiritual value to Tangata whenua.

Karakia has been implemented at the beginning of each day, before planting begins as well as for sites of cultural significance in planting areas. Kaimahi have become more culturally aware of significant cultural sites. This is a priority as tangata whenua to not only acknowledge and help to restore the mauri of the awa but also to acknowledge the mauri of all the significant sites throughout the region.

As a way of measuring the health of the wai (water), PRC understand that freshwater kai such as kōura and freshwater mussels can also be used as a physical measure. This might look like an increased sighting of freshwater kai and also harvesting to evaluate the quality of the kai. Making notes of the tuna stocks is also a way of understanding the health and state of the awa.

MARAE MAINTENANCE

RĀWHITIROA MARAE

NGĀTI TAKIHIKU TE HAPŪ, NGĀTI RAUKAWA KI WHAREPŪHUNGA TE IWI

Pūniu River Care (PRC) have a very close relationship with Rāwhitiroa Marae being another marae situated on the banks of the Pūniu river in the upper valley of Ōwairaka.

Engagements include, but not being limited to are providing a role for ahi kā for the up keeping of the marae grounds and maintenance of the lawns. Rāwhitiroa were also lucky to have a scope of civil construction works approved where PRC were able to provide a site liaison to oversee those works. And lastly, PRC were able to aide in the establishment of a māra kai on the marae grounds for any event that happens on the marae, and for the wider whānau in need.
PRC’s engagement with Rāwhitiroa grows stronger everytime with a future community / marae whānau planting day in the coming fall.

TE KAUAE MARAE

NGĀTI TE KANAWA, NGĀTI PEEHI, NGĀTI KINOHAKU, NGĀTI HUIAO NGĀ HAPŪ, NGĀTI MANIAPOTO TE IWI

Our PRC Kaumātua made it their priority to support the whānau of Te Kauae Marae in their community planting project which saw a hive of whānau from Te Kauae Marae come along and get ‘stuck in’. A ‘close to heart project’ for a certain whānau member who has helped out PRC from its earlier stages and continuing on her vast knowledge and passion to this present day. This project highlights the PRC purpose and value of ‘Kohā’- Limitless generosity acknowledging the celebration of life.

KAHOTEA PĀ

NGĀTI APAKURA TE HAPŪ, NGĀTI MANIAPOTO TE IWI

PRC’s engagement with the whānau o Ngāti Apakura was to provide and plant native plants for their wāhi tūturu enhancement project. The project started with a karakia on site in which the whānau attended, to allow our staff to undergo any works within the scope in a safe manner and giving our staff a clear path through a spiritual passage. PRC were welcomed with warm hearts from the whānau who were in attendance and hereby returning the aroha by feeding the team.

FUNDERS, PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

Thanks to our funders, partners and supporters who have supported the Kaupapa to enable PRC to carry out mahi along the awa. These relationships are held close as we work towards enhancing the waters and replenishing the Taonga within the Pūniu & Waipā Catchment.

Video below from our funder; Te Puni Kōkiri and how they have helped support Te Manawanui o Waipā.

TE PUNI KŌKIRI - CADETSHIP

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