Pānui Kōanga | Spring 2024

Tūngia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke

Clear away the undergrowth so the new shoots of the harakeke can spring up.

This whakataukī is a gentle reminder to embrace new ways of thinking, adapt and shift our practices to the ever changing world around us, and to prepare for the ending of yet another busy calendar year!

Tēnā koe e hika ma!

He mihi nui ki a koutou i tēnei wā o te tau, ko te wā e korowai ana te whenua i ngā putiputi o te kōwhai me te kūmarahou!

As we get ready for Raumati and bid farewell to Koanga we reflect on the critical planning and preparation that has guided our efforts over these past few months.

Spring has been a time for setting clear intentions, refining our strategies and laying the groundwork for whats ahead. With this season coming to an end, we are confident and ready for the new year ahead!

In this pānui we’ll touch on our engagements, training and highlight key areas of mahi which we have been involved in during this season. With Raumati now peeking at us from the horizon, we're ready to draw in all of that energy from Tamanuiterā and move forward with purpose.

Tīhei Mauriora!

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Raukūmara Toa Taiao

Raukūmara Toa Taiao is an 8 week kaupapa with our rangatahi designed to inspire and nurture courage, skill, and leadership. The name ‘Toa’ reflects the bravery and resilience we aim to foster throughout the programme, helping our rangatahi connect with and care for the taiao around them.

Over the next 8 weeks, rangatahi will learn about Raukūmara Pae Maunga, its significance and the vital work we do to protect the land, waters, and all life within our ngahere.

This includes hands on experiences in pest control, trapping, and environmental monitoring, where our teams will guide the tamariki in understanding the basics of ecological restoration.

One key aspect of this programme is highlighting the interconnectedness of all life, from the rākau to the waters, and the need to protect vulnerable species. For instance, in our work, we focus on safeguarding our manu during their most vulnerable stages, like nesting and raising young chicks. These experiences offer the rangatahi real world insights into the reasons behind our conservation efforts and their importance to the health of our whenua.

Te Ara Ki Hikurangi

Tū mai nei a Hikurangi, te tihi o te whenua, te wāhi e tata ana ki te rangi

We set out on a journey to the summit of Hikurangi, our sacred maunga. For our rangatahi this was more than an adventure; it was an opportunity to connect with each other, test their limits, and deepen their relationships.

From the start, the hīkoi proved to be a challenging test of both strength and endurance. The terrain was tough, the weather unpredictable, and each step felt harder as the journey wore on. But the rangatahi showed incredible determination. Despite the difficulties, they pressed on supporting one another and working as a team.

Their resilience was nothing short of inspiring, lifting eachother up when the going got tough, even offering help to their kaiako. The true spirit of whanaungatanga and kotahitanga started to shine.

However, as we climbed higher, the weather began to turn, after careful consideration and in the interest of the health and safety of our rangatahi, we made the decision to turn back before reaching the summit. While it was a hard call to make, we knew that the safety of our tamariki had to come first.

This experience has left a lasting impression on all of us, proving that true leadership is not about conquering mountains, but about knowing when to turn back and prioritise the well-being of the collective. Our rangatahi have shown that they are more than capable of rising to any challenge in the future, and we look forward to our next hikoi together as we prepare for Te Ara Tipuna.

Trapping In Schools Programme

The Raukūmara Pae Maunga Trapping in Schools Programme engages rangatahi in practical conservation work, teaching them to become aware of their environment.

The programme focuses on protecting native species by tackling the threat posed by pests such as rats, stoats, and possums, which damage local ecosystems.

A unique aspect of the programme is the use of the maramataka to guide pest control activities. The maramataka teaches us that the cycles of the moon and the environment are deeply connected.

By understanding the lunar phases and how they influence the behaviour of pests, rangatahi learn about how the maramataka has an effect on all living things.

For example, certain pests are more active during specific moon phases - we have noticed this in our short observations under the Huna moon phase, and by setting traps during these times, the chances of catching pests may increase, helping to protect native manu and our rākau more effectively.

The rangatahi are taught to observe and follow these natural rhythms, connecting their work with the whenua and the weather. This approach reflects our indigenous mohiotanga that everything in nature has its place.

We have successfully delivered this programme to 14 kura across Ngāti Porou, a massive effort and contribution from our team, rangatahi, volunteers, whānau and kaiako!

Ka Tō, Ka Tipu

Ka Tō, Ka Tipu is a kaupapa driven by Community Engagement Advisor Dianne Tahere, building on the foundation laid by the E Tipu E Rea initiative. While E Tipu E Rea focused on identifying native plants, Ka Tō, Ka Tipu takes this further by growing these plants from seed and reconnecting our community with traditional ways of doing and being.

Through the act of growing native rākau from seed we are revitalising cultural practices that honour the relationship between our people and the land. This is a practice that our tīpuna understood deeply, where caring for the whenua was inseparable from caring for the people.

Ka Tō Ka Tipu encourages our whānau to engage in this process, learning how to nurture, grow, and plant native species that are vital to our ecosystems. By reconnecting with these traditional practices, we are relearning how to care for the whenua in a way that is sustainable, restorative, and deeply connected to our whakapapa.

Our whanau have started getting creative with their tipu, installing homemade water irrigation systems made from old drink bottles to slowly drip out wai. This has been keeping the tipu moist during the heat of summer. Anei te kōrero nā Aroha, (Ka Tō Ka Tipu member)

"Fill up a water bottle then cap it, flip it upside down and poke holes in the bottom, I used an old vege knife. If you've got knee high stockings, cut them (you can do two bottles from one. Slip it over the bottom and settle amongst your tipu. The material will stop weeds and dirt from cloughing up the holes. Open the cap a bit to control the drip. The more open, the faster the drip." - Aroha Hogg, 2024

It is very exciting to have our people developing their own sustainable techniques and begin sharing those with others. We are ecstatic to continue this journey over raumati and watch new learnings evolve.

Deer and Goat Management Programme

The Deer and Goat Management Programme continues to deliver positive results in reducing the populations of these damaging species and supporting the restoration of native biodiversity within Te Raukūmara ngahere.

Through a combination of specialised aerial culling, ground hunting, and a strong focus on health and safety, the programme is successfully mitigating the impacts of Deer and Goats.

In particular, the recovery of plant life is critical for supporting native bird species like Whio, who rely on healthy forests and riparian areas for food, shelter, and breeding sites. As a result of our Deer and Goat control methods, there are already signs that these manu are benefiting from the regenerating habitat, with more and more sightings of Whio being recorded by our Deer and Goat Aerial and Ground teams.

Our aerial team have been flying almost every day over the last month, this isn't an easy thing to do. The physical demands of flying every day during aerial culling operations can take a significant toll on the body. Constant exposure to high altitude, rapid movement and fluctuating weather conditions can lead to fatigue, muscle strain and overall stress on the body. Maintaining general wellbeing and mental wellbeing is essential to this type of mahi.

Plant ID Training

Plant identification looks at key features of a plant to help identify it. This includes examining the shape and arrangement of leaves (whether they are simple or compound, and how they are positioned on the stem), flower characteristics (such as colour, shape, and size), and fruit types (seeds, cones, or berries).

This system also considers the plant's habitat, like the type of soil or the climate it grows in, to help with identification. Terms like pinnate (feather-like leaves), fronds (leafy parts of ferns), and lobed (leaf edges that are notched or divided) are used to describe plant parts.

Our team spent two days learning and developing their skills in plant identification. These new skills will further equip our kaimahi with the knowledge required to accurately identify plants. This is important mahi in Te Raukūmara ngahere.

Pā Mcgowan Rongoa Wananga

We had the privilege of having Pā McGowan facilitate a wānanga focused on rongoā Māori. Rongoā is not just about the use of plants for healing, but is deeply connected to the health of the land, our wairua, and the relationship between tangata and whenua. Pā shared a concept that has resonated with us for a long time, and having his expertise come in to strengthen this idea was invaluable.

“Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata. When the land is well, the people will be well.”

Rongoā plays a vital role in our hauora, not only because it provides us with natural remedies, but because it helps us reconnect with our tūpuna, our whenua, and the knowledge that has been passed down through generations. It reminds us that true healing is not just about addressing symptoms, but about restoring balance within ourselves and with the world around us.

We would also like to send a huge mihi to June McDonald and her whānau for welcoming us and allowing us the opportunity to take a short hīkoi through their area. This experience gave our people the chance to safely identify different types of native rākau and rongoā, while gaining in-depth knowledge alongside Pā McGowan.

Rangatahi Wananga

We understand that opportunities can be scarce for tamariki from small communities, which is why we are doing our best to provide experiences that engage our rangatahi with new possibilities and help them dream beyond what they know.

By taking our rangatahi on this trip to Whakatāne, we aimed to give them a glimpse of the wider world and the role they can play in shaping the future of their whenua. This journey was about more than just exploring the environment, it was about igniting their potential and showing them the opportunities that exist for them, from conservation work to aviation.

We are committed to providing these chances for growth, curiosity, and inspiration, so our rangatahi can see themselves as capable, confident, and empowered to make a difference, whether it's in their own iwi, in conservation, or beyond.

Whale Stranding

A baleen whale calf was recently stranded in Whanarua Bay, we teamed up with the Eastern Bay of Plenty - Department of Conservation team and Mana Whenua to respond. Upon receiving the initial report of the stranding, we wasted no time going to the site, but by the time we arrived, it was clear the whale had been beached for some time, likely 3 to 4 weeks. The calf had significantly degraded and decomposed, making it evident that it had been stranded far longer than initially thought.

Together with DOC and Mana Whenua, we carefully took samples from the whale to learn more about its condition and possibly what led to this event. Given its importance to us as people, iwi and hapu we left the decision about how to proceed with the whale to the whanau of Whanarua. Their deep connection to the whenua and moana guided this response, ensuring that this tohora was treated with both respect and tikanga.

Whale stranding's have long been understood as part of the natural world, and this has been passed on to many of us through kōrero tuku iho. While some stranding's are natural, some factors including climate change and increased human activity add new pressures. Gathering sample data helps us as people to understand whether these changes are increasing the likelihood of stranding's or whether it is simply a natural occurrence.

Bat Training

This training involved a series of hands-on activities focused on tracking and handling bats, and we are truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this experience. Our team spent two weeks in Whirinaki Te Pua A Tane, a stunning and ecologically rich area, where we learned to track radio-tagged bats using TR4 devices and aerials within a designated core area.

This core area, made up of a network of bait stations, is where the bat sub-population roosts. The team also assisted in setting up ropes and pulley systems outside the roost trees in preparation for trapping. It was an incredible learning experience, and we are thankful to spend this time in such a unique and thriving environment.

1080 Update

When we brought the kaupapa of aerial 1080 to our iwi a number of years ago the two questions that our people asked us were: Is it safe? And does it work? 

The answer to both these pātai are a resounding yes. Thats the short answer. But to get to this conclusion, we had to apply a framework of questions, find out more by following the link below:

https://www.raukumara.org.nz/post/one-year-on-building-iwi-momentum-for-the-use-of-aerial-1080

Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Visit

Earlier this month we sat around the tēpu with Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Trust and not only did we share a whole lot of kai and koura. But we also engaged in kōrero about our challenges, obstacles and achievements as two restorative projects. It’s always refreshing to connect with like minded people who share a vision and passion for the oranga of our taiao. We’re looking forward to venturing out of our Raukūmara and visiting Kaimai Mamaku in the near future.

Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi!

With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive.

Mauri ora!