Te Ara Wai Whakahau

Te Ara Wai Whakahau received funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Provincial Growth Fund to achieve both environmental and social outcomes.

Ensuring the reciprocal relationship within te taiao, Te Ara Wai Whakahau was given its name by revered Ngāti Awa kaumātua Te Kei o Te Waka Merito to ensure balance with our large-scale pest eradication project. Referencing, the importance of freshwater in life, the aim of Te Ara Wai Whakahau was to improve the waterways on the three farms of Ngāti Awa, which consisted of Tumurau, Ngakauroa and the Ngāti Awa Station; just as Korehāhā Whakahau promised to protect the whenua through pest eradication.

“Me he tuna, ka haere ki te moana”

At its height, the project employed 26 people including a team leader, two leading hands and a project manager. Within the operations team, all employees were Māori with almost 60 per cent affiliating to Ngāti Awa. Additionally, the three contractors involved in the project were all local and this consisted of Morrison Fencing Limited, Grant Farms Limited and Eco Service.

The project employed a three-phase approach consisting of:

  • Phase One, undertaken in 2021, was the mass eradication of pest plants through spray release and manual removal across more than 9ha of farmland. This included the erection of 20,000 fence lines along waterbodies as well as the planting of native species.

  • Phase two was undertaken in 2022 and involved the remaining work associated with the removal of pest plants and animals on newly identified areas.

  • Phase three, which occurred in 2023, focused on planting and pest control maintenance.

In addition to the tangible outcomes of removal of pests, planting of natives and erection of fences, the project also sought to build the capacity and capability of kaimahi. Community relationships and networks were essential in exposing the project to various training opportunities. These opportunities included:

  • First aid

  • Growsafe

  • Chainsaw handling and maintenance

  • Fire Warden

  • Fire Extinguisher

  • Agriculture Level 3

  • Drone operation

  • Leadership

The project was completed in 2023 but if you would like more information then please contact us by clicking on the button below: