by Zita Campbell
"Where to from here” was the sentiment at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae on Tuesday among presentations made as part of Tiēki Taiao, an environmental day, in Tairāwhiti.
The gathering of iwi, hapū and community-led conservationists shared their stories of life since Cyclone Gabrielle and worked on mapping a path for the future.
The continuation of environmental mahi was crucial, said Aubrey Ria, district councillor and project co-coordinator of Māhaki Mahinga Kai Environment Restoration Team.
“A native tree takes five to 10 years to nurture and maintain. Our native plants are sensitive — you can’t just plant them and let them go,” she said.
The day started with local environmental groups meeting along different parts of the East Coast to show their diverse mahi on waterway restoration.
“On a good day we could have 20 kōura (crayfish), but 20 years ago a good day meant 100 kōura,” said Jordan Tibble of Whaia Titirangi, as she demonstrated her work of measuring kōura at Kaiti Beach.
Later the groups met at the marae for a pōwhiri and presentations.
The groups unite as te taiao kaimahi, environment workers, and encompass different hapū, iwi and community-led projects.
They spoke of their work as aspirational dreams of iwi and hapū in action.
They were brought together by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and local coordinator Soraya Pohatu (Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tāmanuhiri) as part of Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao Cyclone Gabrielle Response Project.
The conservationists employ a variety of methods, from pest removal and planting native trees to water testing and environmental DNA (eDNA) data collection.
Collectively the groups had planted hundreds of thousands of native trees and laid thousands of pest traps over many kilometres.
Among the many commonalities between the groups was their use of eDNA testing, given to them by EPA and Gisborne District Council.
Environmental DNA tests allow users to see what species can be found in different waterways.
Ms Tibble described how useful the testing kits had been to their work.
“When we used the testing kits we could see that inanga were in the water. So we improved the ecosystem of the water (by planting native trees) to match their needs.
“When we next did an eDNA test, we saw a huge increase in the diversity of species in the water.”
EPA principal community engagement lead Vanessa Crowe said the organisation was keen to back community-led initiatives.
“After Cyclone Gabrielle we wanted to support the work locals were already doing so we co-designed an eDNA testing project across Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay which empowers the community to choose where they want to test based on their local knowledge”.
Local coordinator Soraya Pohatu said 22 different groups were involved.
The groups giving presentations at Poho-o-Rawiri Marae this week included Māhaki Mahinga Kai, Waingake Taiao Team, Waimatā Catchment Group, Rongowhakaata Taiao Team, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Raukumara Pae Maunga Restoration Project, Taylor Hills from Haumanu Tū Ora, Maungarongo Restoration Group and Whaia Titirangi Kaitiaki.
“Someone said to me this is the first time a group of this size has been brought together in Tairāwhiti to do work on te taiao mahi (environment work) since 1840,” said Ms Pohatu.
The event was also a chance to show representatives of government organisations who were present, the work being done at a local level.
Tina Porou, who has 27 years of experience in Māori resource management, Zoomed in to urge groups to keep up their crucial mahi.
Education featured among the groups, many of which train locals to build up Tairāwhiti’s expertise in conservation work.
“Why wouldn’t you involve the people that come from that place to care for that land?” said Graham Atkins from Raukūmara Pae Maunga Restoration Project.
During presentations, many groups showed before and after pictures that displayed barren grounds being transformed into scenes of greenery.
“We do this to save our whakapapa line,” said Manea Swann of Waingake Taiao Team.