He Pou Tokomanawa: project launch

A new Tangaroa project officially launched on 14 June with a pōwhiri at Wakatū marae in Nelson.

Whānau, hapū and iwi members from four of the eight iwi in Te Tau Ihu o te Waka-a-Māui/Top of the South Island, two Māori entities within Tasman or Golden Bays (the Challenge’s case study area), a number of Sustainable Seas researchers, as well as Director Dr Julie Hall and members of our Kāhui and science leadership team, were welcomed into Kakati wharenui to mark the start of He Pou Tokomanawa – Kaitiakitanga in Practice. This is Sustainable Seas’ first iwi-led project.

Representatives from Te Runanga o Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa Manawhenua ki Te Tau Ihu Trust, Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust, Ngāti Koata Trust, Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust (NRAIT) and Wakatū Incorporation were present. Members of Tiakina te Taiao’s Board of Directors and Manawhenua ki Mohua (Golden Bay) also attended. Tiakina te Taiao holds the project contract for He Pou Tokomanawa, which is led by Frank Hippolite (Ngāti Koata).

The pōwhiri and launch provided an opportunity to acknowledge, within an appropriate Te Ao Māori context, the manawhenua iwi of Te Tau Ihu – in particular, the kaitiaki of Te Tai-o-Aorere (Tasman Bay) and Mohua (Golden Bay), as well as Tiakina shareholders.

The research team presented the proposed research plan to iwi members, and encouraged discussion about an appropriate communications strategy and research process. Feedback from those present was overall very positive.

Some remarked that it was the first time that many of the iwi had come together since the Treaty of Waitangi claims were settled in Te Tau Ihu. There is genuine interest and excitement among local iwi about the opportunities this project presents for exploring kaitiakitanga in practice with regard to the moana.

Anei he whakatauki mō ngā iwi o Te Tau Ihu:

Toitū te marae o Tanemahuta, Toitū te marae o Tangaroa, Toitū ngā iwi – If the domain of Tanemahuta and the domain of Tangaroa are healthy then so too are the people.