Latest news with #TaranakiWhānui
Scoop
14-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Planting Day At Ōrua-Pouanui/Baring Head Restores The Mauri Of The Land And People
Press Release – Greater Wellington Regional Council Restoring the park has been a collaborative effort says Greater Wellingtons Park Ranger for East Harbour, Jo Greenman. Volunteers planted locally sourced natives at Ōrua-pouanui/Baring Head in East Harbour Regional Park on Sunday, the last day of Matariki celebrations, to continue Greater Wellington's restoration of the dramatic and rugged valley that surrounds Wainuiomata Stream. Historically, the section of the park was an important source for mahinga kai (gardens) for local iwi and with official Matariki celebrations concluding on 13 July, volunteers helped plant native species for the day; practising renewal and mana taiao, the Matariki value of environmental awareness. Restoring the park has been a collaborative effort says Greater Wellington's Park Ranger for East Harbour, Jo Greenman. 'Since grazing ended we've been working with mana whenua, Friends of Baring Head and other community volunteers to restore the park and facilitate a healthy ecosystem,' says Greenman. 'We've conducted pest plant and animal control work and planted species that help reduce grass fire risk and improve the park's biodiversity. 'The plants we used on Sunday were all locally sourced from a variety of local nurseries and suppliers including Forest & Bird and He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao.' He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao, formerly known as the Hem of Remutaka, – previously a Jobs for Nature funded project in partnership with Greater Wellington Taranaki Whānui and Department of Conservation, is now carrying on as a commercial enterprise closely associated with Taranaki Whānui. Their involvement in restoring the land of Ōrua-pouanui is part of the kaupapa of Te Āti Awa led conservation efforts says He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao Operations Manager, Gary Sue. 'Following on from the Hem of Remutaka project we are continuing environmental mahi throughout our takiwā of Te Āti Awa including Wainuiomata with the owners and the team of staff that are mostly iwi or whakapapa Māori,' says Sue. 'The restoration of Ōrua-pouanui using local eco-sourced plants, specific to the region, grown from our own nursery will cultivate an eco-system that is suited to our climate and soils and ensure the whenua thrives in future. He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao is committed to Greater Wellington's Recloaking Papatūānuku and Taranaki Whānui's Toitū te taiao strategic priorities.'
Scoop
14-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
Planting Day At Ōrua-Pouanui/Baring Head Restores The Mauri Of The Land And People
Volunteers planted locally sourced natives at Ōrua-pouanui/Baring Head in East Harbour Regional Park on Sunday, the last day of Matariki celebrations, to continue Greater Wellington's restoration of the dramatic and rugged valley that surrounds Wainuiomata Stream. Historically, the section of the park was an important source for mahinga kai (gardens) for local iwi and with official Matariki celebrations concluding on 13 July, volunteers helped plant native species for the day; practising renewal and mana taiao, the Matariki value of environmental awareness. Restoring the park has been a collaborative effort says Greater Wellington's Park Ranger for East Harbour, Jo Greenman. 'Since grazing ended we've been working with mana whenua, Friends of Baring Head and other community volunteers to restore the park and facilitate a healthy ecosystem,' says Greenman. 'We've conducted pest plant and animal control work and planted species that help reduce grass fire risk and improve the park's biodiversity. 'The plants we used on Sunday were all locally sourced from a variety of local nurseries and suppliers including Forest & Bird and He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao.' He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao, formerly known as the Hem of Remutaka, – previously a Jobs for Nature funded project in partnership with Greater Wellington Taranaki Whānui and Department of Conservation, is now carrying on as a commercial enterprise closely associated with Taranaki Whānui. Their involvement in restoring the land of Ōrua-pouanui is part of the kaupapa of Te Āti Awa led conservation efforts says He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao Operations Manager, Gary Sue. 'Following on from the Hem of Remutaka project we are continuing environmental mahi throughout our takiwā of Te Āti Awa including Wainuiomata with the owners and the team of staff that are mostly iwi or whakapapa Māori,' says Sue. 'The restoration of Ōrua-pouanui using local eco-sourced plants, specific to the region, grown from our own nursery will cultivate an eco-system that is suited to our climate and soils and ensure the whenua thrives in future. He Kaha Tuatinitini Taiao is committed to Greater Wellington's Recloaking Papatūānuku and Taranaki Whānui's Toitū te taiao strategic priorities.'
Scoop
04-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
Public Invited To Dive In And Share Views On 10-year Coastal Plan
Wellington City Council and mana whenua are calling on residents to help shape the future of the Pōneke coastline – a taonga of the city. Public consultation on Tātou ki Uta – the draft Coastal Reserves Management Plan – is now open until midday Tuesday 5 August 2025. Covering coastal areas from Oriental Bay to Red Rocks, Tātou ki Uta sets out a 10-year plan for how the city and its people will care for, protect, and continue to enjoy our coastal reserves, beaches, public parks, and amenities like tracks, boat ramps, and public toilets. 'Our coastal reserves are a taonga, a treasure, and their future management must reflect the aspirations of Wellingtonians,' says Mayor Tory Whanau. 'We've worked closely with our community and Takai Here partners to create a draft plan that is integrated and forward-looking. This public consultation is an invitation for every Wellingtonian to help shape the future of our coastal spaces,' adds Mayor Whanau. Councillor Teri O'Neill, Chair of the Social, Cultural, and Economic Committee, says it's important to have your say. 'Our coastline is where so many of us feel most grounded; a place to meet friends and whānau, swim with the dog, or take in the wildlife around us. We've heard how much people care about the dunes, kororā (penguin) habitats, and cultural stories of these places. Now we want your voice in how we care for these taonga for the next decade.' The draft plan includes over 80 proposed actions, ranging from practical upgrades like improved toilets and tracks, to long-term efforts towards erosion control, protection of wildlife, restoring Māori names to reserves, and planning for climate adaptation in high-risk areas. Council has worked closely with mana whenua partners Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whānui to develop the draft plan. The name Tātou ki Uta, gifted by mana whenua, means 'all of us on the land' and speaks to the shared responsibility of both iwi and the wider community in caring for the coast. Rawiri Faulkner, Pou Toa Matarau, of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, says the coastal environment is incredibly important to Ngāti Toa. 'We welcome the opportunity to strengthen our connection to the places we consider significant and to ensure our obligations to protect our taonga as kaitiaki is enhanced. 'We invite the community to participate in this process and join the council in ensuring our coastal environment is able to be enjoyed by current and future generations.' Tiamana | Chairperson Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika Te Whatanui Winiata says Taranaki Whānui is pleased to be a part of a kaupapa that once again highlights the importance of kotahitanga. 'Kotahitanga is working in partnership to maintain the cultural significance of our coastal areas. Kotahitanga is having a shared view on protecting our coastal areas. Kotahitanga is sharing in the development of the plan for our coastal areas. 'Taranaki Whānui is delighted with the expressions of kotahitanga with the Council and we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate.' Public consultation is open from Thursday 5 June to midday Tuesday 5 August 2025. You can have your say by: Completing the online survey at Filling out a paper submission form available online and at all Council libraries. Emailing coastalplan@ The full draft plan is available to read on Let's Talk or you can find a copy in Te Awe Library. Whether you're a surfer, swimmer, diver, dog walker, jogger, environmentalist, community volunteer, or a proud Wellingtonian, this plan is for everyone – and we want to know if we've got it right.
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
‘Momentous moment': Pukupuku (little spotted kiwi) moved from Wellington to Hawke's Bay
Despite Cape Sanctuary already having more than 40 pukupuku, those birds were all related, which made for less genetic variation. Ledington said the translocation of kiwi from Zealandia would introduce new genetics to the Cape Sanctuary population. She said Zealandia was proud to be in a position to support other pukupuku populations in New Zealand – and during their time at Zealandia, the birds had inspired thousands of people to care about the rare species. The kiwi were carefully collected from Zealandia in accordance with Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whānui tikanga, screened for diseases and fitted with locator transmitters. They were released into their new home that same day. Ngāti Toa Rangatira representative and Karori Sanctuary trust board chair, Russell Spratt, said translocations were conservation milestones that reinforced the cultural and spiritual connections between Ngāti Toa, Kāpiti Island and broader conservation efforts. He said Ngāti Toa Rangatira was proud of the role Kāpiti Island played in the revival of the bird from near extinction. Terese McLeod, Taranaki Whānui representative and Zealandia's lead ranger for bicultural engagement, said the birds played 'an honourable role for te taiao [the environment] across Aotearoa'. 'Taranaki Whānui are honoured to support and witness the whakakāinga anō [rehousing] of kiwi pukupuku from the sanctuary,' she said. Hariata Dawn Bennett, the cultural liaison for Cape Sanctuary, Ngāti Mihiroa, called it 'a momentous moment for Ngāti Mihiroa and the Cape Sanctuary'. 'It was the moemoea led by the late Hariata Te Ruru Akonga Mohi Baker to receive these kiwi pukupuku. We honour this dream and duty to devotedly care for these taonga.'
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
'Momentous moment': Pukupuku moved from Wellington to Hawke's Bay
File image. Photo: Kimberley Collins Fifteen of the country's smallest kiwi have taken flight from Zealandia in Wellington, heading to Cape Sanctuary in Hawke's Bay, in an effort to grow the national population. The translocation marks the first time pukupuku have been moved between sanctuaries since their reintroduction to the mainland two decades ago, in a collaboration between Zealandia, local iwi, Cape Sanctuary, Kiwi Recovery and the Department of Conservation. Pukupuku disappeared from the mainland in the late 1800s, and just five birds remained on Kāpiti Island. Jo Ledington, Zealandia's general manager conservation and restoration, said all of the roughly 200 pukupuku at Zealandia had grown from the same group of five birds they had brought over from Kāpiti Island in the early 2000s. Despite Cape Sanctuary already having more than 40 pukupuku, those birds were all related, which made for less genetic variation. Ledington said the translocation of kiwi from Zealandia would introduce new genetics to the Cape Sanctuary population. She said Zealandia was proud to be in a position to support other pukupuku populations in New Zealand - and during their time at Zealandia, the birds had inspired thousands of people to care about the rare species. The kiwi were carefully collected from Zealandia in accordance with Ngāti Toa and Taranaki Whānui tikanga, screened for diseases, and fitted with locator transmitters. They were released into their new home that same day. Ngāti Toa Rangatira representative and Karori Sanctuary trust board chair, Russell Spratt, said translocations were conservation milestones which reinforced the cultural and spiritual connections between Ngāti Toa, Kāpiti Island, and broader conservation efforts. He said Ngati Toa Rangatira were proud of the role Kāpiti Island played in the revival of the bird from near extinction. Terese McLeod, Taranaki Whānui representative and Zealandia's lead ranger for bicultural engagement, said the birds played "an honourable role for Te Taiao across Aotearoa". "Taranaki Whānui are honoured to support and witness the whakakāinga anō of kiwi pukupuku from the sanctuary," she said. Hariata Dawn Bennett, the cultural liaison for Cape Sanctuary, Ngāti Mihiroa, called it "a momentous moment for Ngāti Mihiroa and the Cape Sanctuary". "It was the moemoea led by the late Hariata Te Ruru Akonga Mohi Baker to receive these kiwi pukupuku. We honour this dream and duty to devotedly care for these taonga."
