First Iwi-led Predator Free 2050 project gets go ahead

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa has welcomed the announcement and funding of its Korehāhā Whakahau predator eradication project.

Funding was confirmed today by the Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whākatane.

The $5.6 million-dollar project will be led and delivered by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. Initial funders include Predator Free 2050 Limited, providing $2.4m through the Provincial Growth Fund, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Awa Group Holdings and Department of Conservation.

The project will benefit from $2.5 million announced today from the Department of Conservation’s Jobs for Nature programme, which will also support other, yet-to-be announced Ngāti Awa taiao projects.

Korehaha Whakahau initial aim is to get rid of predators, starting with possums, across a 4,700ha area covering Whakatāne and Ōhōpe, benefitting biodiversity and boosting regional development and tourism. Exact boundaries are still being determined at this early stage of the project.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa Manahautū, Leonie Simpson, says the project will connect Ngāti Awa people with the taiao, support kaitiakitanga amongst the Iwi and help them to reach their aspirations to care for and restore the taiao.

“This project is our first Iwi workforce development initiative post COVID-19. We will develop a group of kaimahi with transferable skills that not only support their whānau but also enable kaitiakitanga for our hapū and Ngāti Awa now and into the future.

“Our relationships with the taiao will continue beyond the project term and we are aiming for long term outcomes that are intergenerational.”

Ed Chignell Predator Free 2050 Limited Chief Executive says they are excited by the opportunity for new learning as Ngāti Awa brings its knowledge and connections to the Predator Free 2050 kaupapa.

“We will be sharing the latest trapping and detection methodologies to enable the project team to permanently remove possums from the project area and build their capacity in predator control operations.”

The Korehāhā Whakahau project covers both private, public and Ngāti Awa owned land. The funding will enable Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa to employ more people and continue to engage with other landowners to get the operational side of the project underway.

Leonie Simpson says Korehāhā Whakahau is an important part of a kete of mahi that Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa is developing post Whakaari and Covid 19. 


“Our suite of projects, which we have called POUA, encompasses existing and future projects like Kāinga (a new visitor hub at the Whakatāne Army Hall), a new commercial boat harbour led by a Ngāti Awa Lands Trust, riverside revitalisation and other taiao projects. POUA represents, Pou whenua (foundation posts) which signify our commitment to our rohe, our people and our future.

New POUA projects will be announced in the coming months as they are approved.”

Korehāhā Whakahau is the first iwi led ‘path finder’ project to receive Predator Free 2050 Limited funding.

For more information contact:

Michal Akurangi, Taiao Manager at Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, michal@ngatiawa.iwi.nz

Tim Higham, Predator Free 2050 Limited Communication and Business Support Manager, timh@pf2050.co.nz

For more information about Predator Free 2050 Limited and its current projects see www.pf2050.co.nz.

Treaty of Waitangi Commemoration

Treaty o Waitangi Kauhau/Treaty of Waitangi Lectures

Held in collaboration with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Commemorating the Treaty Waitangi signed 16 June 1840

Ngā mokamoka whakahaere/Proceedings for the day for 16 June 2020

10.00 AMKARAKIA/WHAKATAU
10.30 AMKōrero Timata/Opening RemarksAhorangi/Professor Wiremu Doherty
10.40 AMKaikōrero Whakaohooho Guest Lecturer Patapātai – QuestionsTe Kei Merito
11.00 AMKaikōrero Whakaohooho Guest speaker/s Pātapātai – QuestionsRangatahi Kaikōrero
11.20 AMKaikōrero Whakaohooho Guest Lecturer Patapātai – QuestionsJudge Layne Harvey
12.00 PMKaikōrero Whakaohooho Guest Lecturer Patapātai – QuestionsAhorangi/Professor Linda Smith ‘Ngāti Awa Futurities – How do we ensure that we flourish far far into the future’
12.50 PMKōrero Whakamutunga/Concluding CommentsAhorangi/Professor Wiremu Doherty
01.00 PMKai o te Poupoutanga o te Rā – LUNCH

Held at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

13 Domain Road, Whakatāne, 07 3071467