Mahaki mahinga kai
Mahaki Mahinga Kai is a taiao project funded through DOCs Jobs 4 Nature initiative.
Intended outcomes are to assist Te Aitanga a Mahaki to engage with its marae members and to rebuild and reconnect our people with our traditional places and practices of mahinga kai through environmental initiatives.Intended benefits include:
Oranga tangata – building healthy people through place based taiao employment initiatives and training opportunities, cultural practice and custom;
Oranga whanau – building healthy relationships within our whanau, hapu, iwi;
Oranga taiao – restorative actions that benefit our taiao and allow us to fulfil our obligations as kaitiaki of our whenua, wai, ngahere and places of significance.
9 November 2021
Earlier this month we welcomed five tuatara from
Te Waipounamu to their new home on the East Coast. Gifted by Ngāti Koata and with the help of the Whinray Eco Charitable Trust and Te Papa Atawhai, the return of tuatara to the area is being celebrated by the iwi.
AcknowledgementsTe Aitanga a Mahaki wish to formally acknowledge Ngati Koata for their generosity, sharing their Tuatara so that our future uri may receive the gift of kaitiakitanga of these significant taonga - Hei kura mo Mahaki.
He Mihi – Thank You- Ngati Koata Kaumatua Council- Ngati Koata Trust Board- Ngati Koata Trust Management- Ecoworks New Zealand Limited- The Department of Conservation- Trust Tairāwhiti
He Mihi – Thank You- Ngati Koata Kaumatua Council- Ngati Koata Trust Board- Ngati Koata Trust Management- Ecoworks New Zealand Limited- The Department of Conservation- Trust Tairāwhiti
26 JULY 2021
Honoured to have Minister of Conservation Kiritapu Allan announce our Mahaki Mahinga Kai Restoration Project today.
“Our vision is to restore the mauri of the Waipaoa, its repo [wetlands] and awa [streams], that once sustained our 12 marae”, said Te Aitanga a Mahaki Chairperson Pehimana Brown. “This project will enable us to work along side each of our marae. Restoring their mahinga kai means protecting biodiversity by controlling weeds and pests and enhancing waterways with riparian and native tree planting. Accredited iwi members will use the Mauri Compass to quantify the improvement in mauri throughout the 3 year project and demonstrate the great return on investment from the Department of Conservation".
Ian Ruru, Project Manager, is looking beyond the lifespan of the project. “My role is to ensure that we exceed contractual expectations and that Mahaki has the depth of expertise for new opportunities.” Kaimahi will undertake formal training throughout the project and become certified Mauri Compass assessors and trainers, thus providing for succession and an enduring legacy. When asked what success looks like, Mr Ruru replied, “the indicator of our success will be a hinaki full of healthy tuna destined for our marae tables.”