Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi

Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust has secured $644,000 funding for a two-year project to help improve the mauri (life force) and water quality of Lake Tūtira, its wider catchment of lakes and waterways. The Trust (a post-Treaty settlement governance entity) represents the Hapū of Tangoio Marae, including Ngāti Kurumōkihi who are tāngata whenua of Tūtira.

Tūtira is very important to the Hapū, who have a whakatauākī (tribal proverb) about the lake being “ko te waiu o o tatau tipuna - the milk of our ancestors”. This refers to an abundance of kai (food) and spiritual sustenance. Unfortunately, over a hundred years of sedimentation and pollution has affected the mauri and water quality of the taonga (treasured) lake.

The project, called “Tūtira mai ngā iwi”, will use different knowledge systems including Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), local environmental knowledge, science, policy and planning to undertake short-term actions and long-term planning.

The actions will include wānanga (forums), pest plant removal, planting, fencing, science reporting, landowner and community engagement. Fixing the water quality issues will take time, but this project will assist in planning and progress.

Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust will lead the project and work with key project partners Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC), Department of Conservation (DOC), Hastings District Council (HDC), Guthrie-Smith Trust, ECOED (the Environmental, Conservation and Outdoor Education Trust), Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game, landowners and the community.

The funding is from the Ministry for the Environment’s Te Mana o Te Wai Fund and the Tangoio Soil Conservation Fund (administered by HBRC under the Maungaharuru-Tangitū Hapū Claims Settlement Act 2014).

Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust are currently advertising for a Project Manager position (0.5 full-time equivalent) on ‘Seek’. Applications close Sunday 3 July 2016.

ENDS

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