Pūrekireki Marae chair Tai Huata said the work being done will benefit future generations.
The importance of preserving the landscape, and the social and cultural character it supports, is more urgent in the face of changing climate patterns.
Stakeholders and landowners at the recent Taiea te Taiao Ecological Corridor meeting, from left, Pūrekireki Marae chair Tai Huata, Mātauranga Māori facilitator Te Ao re o Rangi Apaapa (back), landowners Marilyn Griffiths and Lindy Bennett, and project co-ordinator Bexie Towle. Photo: Viv Posselt
That was said at the recent annual meeting of the Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Incorporated Society (MtPec), one of the organisations behind the 2021 launch of the Taiea te Taiao Ecological Corridor project, when co-chair Clare St Pierre said: “We stand at a pivotal moment. The extreme weather and flooding our district experience in February has been a stark reminder of both the vulnerability of our landscape and the critical importance of resilience.”
The meeting, at the Paterangi Hall, gave an update on the project’s progress, informed stakeholders of a new website launched afterwards and gave details of a Taiea to Taiao Ecological Corridor education box launched with Enviroschools and BUPA last September, now on loan to schools interested in engaging with the project.
Taiea te Taiao links Maungatautari to Mt Pirongia via a 45km ecological corridor reconnecting the maunga through enhancing native species, transforming iwi connections, and improving water quality.
A map showing the boundaries of the Taiea te Taiao Ecological Corridor with its two main stream catchment areas.
It has been co-designed by mana-whenua, landowners and other stakeholders. Intended outcomes include the planting, fencing and erosion control along the Mangapiko and Ngāparierua streams and wetlands, the restoration of cultural sites of significance, weed and pest control, and the development of a biodiversity monitoring plan.
St Pierre, who was re-elected to the position alongside her MtPec co-chair Don ‘Bush’ Macky, said the past year had been ‘phenomenal’, with good progress made on all fronts – environmental, ecological and cultural.
“It demonstrates the massive support across our community to realise our vision,” she said.
She said 75,082 plants were added, bringing the total to 325,361 – all maintained with 47 hectares of weed control and over 27km of fencing. A predator control network has been enhanced by the work of the Pirongia Envirogroup, Pirongia Restoration Society and local landowners, resulting in well over 4200 recorded catches. Collaborative weed control efforts to control the Japanese walnut along the length of the Mangapiko Stream brings together MtPec, the Waipā District Council and Waikato Regional Council.
MtPec co-chair Clare St Pierre speaking at the meeting. Next to her is her co-chair Don ‘Bush’ Macky and treasurer John Smyth. Photo: Viv Posselt
Four iwi are closely involved in the project – Ngāti Apakura including Pūrekireki Marae, Te Ruranga o Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura and Ngāti Hikairo. Nine heritage sites identified signify the relationship between the land and the people who lived between the maunga.
“That cultural component of the corridor continues to build, with seven pou whenua (cultural markers) marking specific trade and heritage sites along the Mangapiko,” she said.
St Pierre said while funding from the Ministry of the Environment was ending this year, ongoing financial support is in place.
“We are grateful to the Waikato River Authority, Lotteries NZ, and NZ Landcare Trust for acting as lead agency in the funding applications and employment,” she said. “We were successful in securing funding from DOC of $20,000, and Creative Communities funding of $5000 for the next steel pou, with the location to be confirmed. And we’re deeply grateful to Pūrekireki Marae for donating $10,000 for Mātauranga operations.”
She said short films on the heritage sites in the corridor, led by Robbie Neha, are in production and expected to premiere at Te Awamutu’s Regent Theatre during Matariki. The project has also received wider exposure over the year through presentations at the Brightstar Freshwater Conference in Auckland, the Improving Water Quality event at Dairy NZ at Bush Macky’s farm in March, and at the Grasslands Conference with Dairy NZ.
St Pierre commented on the ‘passion and commitment’ shown by project co-ordinator Bexie Towle and Mātauranga Māori facilitator Te Ao re o Rangi Apaapa – both of whom are employed by NZ Landcare Trust – as well as NZ Landcare’s Nardene Berry.
“Our success is due in no small part to the incredible range of organisations that are backing our vision,” she said.
Pūrekireki Marae chair Tai Huata said the work being done will benefit future generations. Photo: supplied
