KĀHUI TAIAO TŪROA WEBINAR SERIES 2026
Restoring the Korowai of the Land
Indigenous Approaches at Scale
Wed, 20 May
|Webinar
Technology & Taiao
How technological solutions are being leveraged and adapted in landscape-scale conservation projects.
Time & Location
20 May 2026, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Webinar
About the event
Hear how large-scale conservation projects and AI-powered tech solutions are accelerating the restoration of our ngahere/forests, protecting threatened taonga species and building understanding of these precious ecosystems in Aotearoa New Zealand.
This online panel discussion will cover the importance of emerging technologies and breakthrough innovation for Te Taiao/the Natural World, and explore use cases of how technology solutions are being leveraged and adapted in landscape-scale conservation projects, such as Raukūmara Pae Maunga.
The expert panel will touch on international trends and how Aotearoa is leading the way, combining indigenous and ecological knowledge with cutting-edge technology. Facilitated by Raukūmara Pae Maunga Trustee Ora Barlow, join the kōrero (discussion) to hear from panelists:
Dan Tompkins, Ecologist & former Science Director for Predator Free 2050 Ltd
Caleb Wharepapa, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui & Ngāti Porou, Deer and Goat Aerial Culler at Raukūmara Pae Maunga
Miranda Wells, Conservationist at the 800 Trust, and Founder of Hark
Maria Kuster, Co-founder and operator, Pure Salt
This event is hosted by Raukūmara Pae Maunga, which protects the last remaining, large native forest (250,000 ha) from ‘mountain to sea’ in Aotearoa New Zealand’s North Island.
The event is centred on the TechWeek ‘Future’ pillar, showcasing emerging technologies and breakthrough innovation.
Whether you’re a conservationist, technology enthusiast or policy-maker, this is a refreshing and compelling session on the benefits of adopting new technology to better care for and protect our native forests.
WEBINAR SERIES - PART TWO
Mauri First
What is mauri, and why does it matter in restoration? Drawing on the experiences of Tīwaiwaka and Raukūmara Pae Maunga, this webinar explores how the wellbeing of forests, rivers, wildlife and people are inseparable. Through practical examples, we will discuss the importance of taking people on a journey - building understanding, connection and shared purpose - so that restoration is measured not only by ecological outcomes, but by the strengthening of relationships between people, place and the living world.
WEBINAR SCHEDULE
Each session builds on a whole-of-system approach
WHY THIS SERIES MATTERS
Across Aotearoa, the scale of ecological challenge is increasing - biodiversity loss, climate pressure, and fragmented responses. This series recognises that:
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The system must change, not just the tools
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Indigenous leadership is central, not peripheral
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Restoration is as much about people as it is about place
As reflected in the model, “you can’t lead the forest if you don’t know it… and you can’t heal the forest if the people aren’t with you.”
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
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Iwi, hapū and whenua-based leaders
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Conservation practitioners and kaitiaki
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Councils, agencies and policy makers
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Community groups and project leads
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Anyone committed to restoring the mauri of our ngahere
Kāhui Taiao Tūroa (KTT) was established by Save the Kiwi in 2014 as a kaupapa to explore Indigenous, place-based approaches to conservation. Since then, KTT has travelled across Aotearoa, partnering with hapū and local organisations to host wānanga grounded in the lived realities of each place.
In 2025, Kāhui Taiao Tūroa was hosted in Te Kaha alongside the work of Raukūmara Pae Maunga. This hui brought together whakaaro, experience, and practice - reflecting both national insights and the lived delivery of whole-of-ngahere restoration at scale.
This webinar series is a distillation of those learnings from the years. It shares key insights from the Raukūmara hui, alongside the ongoing experiences of iwi, practitioners, and partners working to restore the ngahere through a whole-of-system restoration approach grounded in mauri, mana, and whakapapa.
Partners
