Project Year: 2025

A four-day waka journey reconnecting three affiliate iwi with their awa and whānau while sharing mātauranga Māori and science related to water quality and monitoring, traversing stretches from Lake Taupō to Te Pūaha o Waikato and staying at marae along the river.

Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa Runanga Trust continue our role as Kaitiaki of cultural and natural resources within our rohe. In 2017, WRA supported through funding, the Nga Tamariki Scenic Reserve and Lower Orakonui Stream Restoration and Enhancement Plan, prepared by Nick Singers.

Nga Tamariki Scenic Reserve is the whenua that connects Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa to Orakaunui Stream, a tributary of te awa o Waikato (1.8km from the confluence) an ancient Pa site, Pa kokopu, Mara Kai (food gardens) and Ngawha (hot pool).

While Nga Tamariki is a DoC Scenic Reserve, NT-NW/DoC co-manage the site, DoC have recognised the significant importance of Nga Tamariki to NT-NW and the need to enhance the Cultural and Biodiversity values of the Whenua. Encourage the development of indigenous vegetation in the Reserve by controlling the key ecological weed species. Planting native species in key areas to increase seed sources and species diversity to enhance revegetation of the whenua.

Involving neighbouring landowners and the community in the enhancement project, sharing our iwi stories through information boards and a Waharoa (gateway). Survey and monitor mahinga kai and invertebrates through setting hinaki, tau-koura and using the Waiora App.

WRA24-018 is linked to this project, but funded separately, which enhances/protects the geothermal area.

Develops a Kaitiaki Plan for Mōkai Marae to reconnect whānau with wai and whenua, identify projects, support engagement in policy and planning, and act as a mātauranga repository through kaupapa-based wānanga and noho marae.

Restores a regionally significant geothermal ecosystem (7.5 ha within a 20ha area) by controlling weeds, restoring native vegetation and buffers, predator control, and ongoing maintenance—reconnecting hapū with the maunga.

Completes Stage 4 infill planting and maintenance for Matahuru Wetland restoration.

Stage 2 construction of the waka tauranga and restoration planting to restore traditional access to the Waikato River, benefiting local marae, kura and kōhanga reo, aligning with Waikato-Waipā Restoration Strategy priorities.

Protects Tanehopuwai Stream and kahikatea swamp forest on Māori land by completing willow extraction, fencing, and planting to restore wetlands and forest stands adjacent to the Upper Waipā.

Extends successful Kura Waitii (River Schools) environmental education programme (2026–2028), placing rangatahi on waka on their tūpuna awa, delivered in te reo me ōna tikanga o Waikato.

Extends protection and restoration of Koromatua Gully (9.1 ha QEII covenants to date) by retiring and planting 2.39 ha in a Waipā priority/SNA area; fencing to exclude stock and diverse native planting to increase biodiversity.

Continue work with landowners to fence and plant wetlands/seeps, riparian areas, and steep land to reduce sediment and nutrient losses across Pokaiwhenua and Little Waipā catchments.

Collaborative restoration across five properties in the Lower Waikato: retire 8.55 ha via fencing, native planting, and weed control to improve water quality, reduce erosion, enhance habitats (incl. whitebait), and protect cultural sites.

Extends a successful iwi-led capability programme (Swift Water Safety, Manu Monitoring, GIS Mapping) to empower iwi, hapū and communities as kaitiaki, with a vision to develop accredited pathways for environmental qualifications.

Continues the Mangapiko ecological corridor: >300,000 trees planted, 1,200+ predator traps, fencing, habitat restoration, and community engagement since 2021. Seeks next-phase funding to expand proven work and partnerships.

Iwi-led project to protect and restore culturally significant Waitaawhara whenua and awa. Fences 2,245 m of stream and restores 7.65 ha of riparian margin and gullies with weed control and 19,125 natives. Aligns with WWRRS high-priority actions.

Implements priority riparian restoration with best-practice standards (setbacks, grades, species mix, spacing, and maintenance). Landowners contribute ≥30% cash cost; sites selected via agreed priorities incl. Te Ture Whaimana, WRA strategy, WWRRS, and iwi priorities.

Extends restoration of a high-value biodiversity site: retire land from grazing, install sheep-proof fencing, and plant natives to expand wetland and mature native bush areas that flow directly into the Upper Waipā.

Restores 3.008 ha of native wetland on 6 ha whenua using planting across two fenced zones, with whānau planting days, cultural reconnection, and strong alignment to WRA/WWRRS priorities.

Builds on earlier works: erosion control, pest tree removal, track maintenance, native and willow planting for erosion control, and first wetland enhancement on the property; groundwork for broader restoration across land blocks.

Recognising the ecological and cultural significance of Lake Maratoto, the project aims to protect and rehabilitate the lake and its wetland system through weed control and native planting, strengthen previous restoration efforts, improve biodiversity and habitats, and reconnect Ngāti Hauā with ancestral lands and taonga.

Produces five bilingual children’s readers based on Waikato River stories, co-developed with kaumātua and mātaanga, gifted back to marae and whānau, with a Waikato-specific kupu taiao repository.

Establishes a Kura Taiao based at Waahi Pā and Rāhui Pōkeka delivering mātauranga-based environmental education, restoration activities, tuna habitat revitalisation, and maara rongoā—supporting biodiversity and kaitiakitanga.

Restores the mauri of Mangarapa Stream by addressing hill country erosion and enhancing riparian margins via 23,271 natives across 10.1 ha and 2.6 km fencing. Strengthens whānau connection to whenua and wai, supports ecological resilience and kaitiakitanga, aligned with Te Ture Whaimana o Te Awa o Waikato.

Working with landowners in the Tahunaatara Catchment (Upper Waikato) to scale riparian planting of fenced waterways, mitigate erosion and nutrient loss, increase habitat for native species, and undertake works across four land blocks connected to hapū traditional rohe.

Restores and protects 5.57 ha across two iwi-owned farms with 2,928 m fencing, 18,508 eco-sourced natives, weed control and erosion management; aligns with He Manawa ā Whenua Taiao Strategy and Waikato-Tainui plans.

Plants a 10m native riparian buffer around a wetland to improve water quality, enhance habitat and biodiversity, reconnect iwi to whenua and awa, and create nature-based employment and education opportunities.

On behalf of Turitea Marae whānau (Ngāti Maniapoto/Waikato), restores two puna behind the marae for mahinga kai, recreation, and ceremonial purposes, with scoped works supported by Waikato Regional Council.