Partnerships healing whenua and wai
From streams to harbours, iwi–council partnerships are improving water quality, biodiversity and resilience across the region.
Taiao restoration
At the heart of climate resilience is both manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga, the responsibility to care for the whenua, wai and all living things so they can continue to look after us. Traditional food gathering places – mahinga kai such as repo and moana – embody these values, connecting people to the environment while providing identity, knowledge and nourishment.
Today, many of what were once thriving natural and food systems across our region have been disrupted by industrialisation, urbanisation, pollution, loss of habitat and increasingly by climate change.
As wetlands are drained, waterways degraded, and costs of kai rise, whānau face growing challenges to food security and resilience. Without action, we risk losing both environmental health and the cultural practices that sustain it.
Marae and mana whenua across Tāmaki Makaurau are leading the way by restoring the taiao. Through planting native trees, cleaning streams and harbours and reviving wetlands, local food systems are being rebuilt. This mahi is grounded in mātauranga and supported by partnerships such as with Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters programme.
Manukau Harbour
Mana whenua and Council are focused on restoring mauri, improving water quality, biodiversity and supporting mana whenua-led stewardship for Manukau Harbour. Activities include shoreline adaptation planning and coordinated restoration.
Mahurangi
(north-east harbour)
This ongoing iwi partnership encompasses a range of projects supporting catchment and harbour restoration including riparian planting, wetland protection and community-led initiatives with iwi partnership.
Te Motu a Hiaroa | Puketutu Island
A multi-iwi collaboration with Auckland Council is seeing the land and mauri of this former quarry in Manukau Harbour restored, with the goal of establishing a vibrant public reserve.
Hōteo River
This long-term catchment restoration programme, co-led by iwi, community and council, aims to reduce sediment and improve water quality into the Kaipara and Manukau systems.
