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Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga
Mauri Compass Assessment
2020
Assessing the mauri of the Urenui River and the Mimitangiatua River
Authors: Marlene Benson, Anne-Maree McKay, Manawa Ruru, Riaki Ruru, and Ian Ruru
"Mauri mahi, mauri ora."
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Mutunga Mauri Compass Assessment
Assessing the Urenui River and the Mimitangiatua River
Authors: Marlene Benson, Anne-Maree McKay, Manawa Ruru, Riaki Ruru, and Ian Ruru
"Mauri mahi, mauri ora."
Table of contents
  • Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Ngāti Mutunga would like to acknowledge our Mahinga Kai team and thank all the landowners for providing river access for this mahi.
Core Research Team
  • Marlene Benson
  • Anne-Maree McKay
  • Matthew McKay
  • Te Araroa McKay
  • Whakaturi McKay
  • Rawiri McClutchie
Field Research Team
  • Marnie Reinfelds
  • Tiki Skipper-Reinfelds
  • Sam MacDonald
  • Epiha Blackburn
  • Barry Matuku
  • Te Amoroa Clifton
Extended Whānau
  • Manawanui Clifton
  • Maui-Beauden Clifton
  • Rawiri Clifton
  • Hurimoana Haami
  • Channtae-Lee Lichtwark-Walden
  • Lyric Lee Walden
Supporting Contributors
  • Denzel Lichtwark
  • Sue Brooks
  • Alan Managh
  • Riaki Ruru
  • Manawa Ruru
  • Ian Ruru
Photo was taken by Paul Cummings, Pouwhakahaere, capturing our first wānanga at Te Rūnanga a Ngāti Mutunga.
Executive Summary
Over the last ten years, we have become increasingly involved in the Resource Management Act process with the renewal and issuing of Resource Consents that have the potential to impact negatively on our freshwater fisheries. At times, we have been unable to participate effectively in this process because of a lack of useful data about taonga species and without a recognised tool to monitor the effect of the consents on the mauri of our awa.
80%
Species Decline
Tuna richness, abundance, and health have each fallen dramatically
60%
Overall Mauri Loss
Combined decline in river health since European settlement
2-70
Age Range
Whānau participation from toddlers to elders in this assessment
With support from Te Wai Māori Trust, we engaged the services of Manawa, Riaki, and Ian Ruru to apply the Mauri Compass tool to assess the historical and current state of mauri of our Urenui and Mimitangiatua awa. As predicted, the mauri of both awa had declined since European settlement, but we were struck by the steepness of decline for the indicators that we assessed.
The Mauri Compass values and recognises the skills and knowledge that Ngāti Mutunga whānau have – ngā taonga tuku iho. We found that the tool used a good balance of mātauranga Māori and science data collection.
Introduction: Our Ancestral Connection
"Ko te Titōhea ka meangiatia, he puna koropupū, ahakoa tukitukia e te poaka E kore e mimiti, ka koropupū, ka koropupū, ka koropupū"
Ngāti Mutunga descends from a number of ancestors who lived in the area occupied today by ngā uri o ngā tūpuna o Ngāti Mutunga. These ancestors include Tokauri, Tokatea, Mihirau, Heruika, Pūrakino, Rakaupounamu, Uenuku (son of Ruawahia), Hineweo, Hinenō, Te Hihiotū, Kahukura, and Mutunga.
Traditional Rohe
63,200 hectares (156,000 acres) of ancestral territory
Waka Heritage
Descendants of Tokomaru, Tahatuna and Ōkoki waka
Historical Hapū
Eight distinct hapū including Te Kekerewai and Ngāti Hinetuhi
Kaitiaki Mission
Protecting environment for future generations
The traditional rohe of Ngāti Mutunga is indelibly etched into both physical and historical landscapes, extending from the Papatiki stream in the north to the Waiau River in the south, encompassing our sacred waterways and ancestral sites.
Our Iwi Environmental Management Plan
Our IEMP is a mandated set of policies that codifies Ngāti Mutunga values to support and educate iwi members working on environmental issues. The IEMP has a legal effect under the RMA and should influence external agencies to work more closely and effectively with Ngāti Mutunga in environmental management within our rohe.
Develop Capacity
Continue to develop our capacity to engage in environmental issues
Encourage Rangatahi
Encourage our rangatahi to pursue studies in relevant environmental fields
Environmental Monitoring
Look for opportunities to involve our people in environmental monitoring
Iwi Collaboration
Work with other iwi groups on issues of mutual interest
This 'Mauri Compass Project,' supported through Te Wai Māori Trust, is one example of how we are implementing our IEMP. There are three high-level outcomes that we want to achieve through the implementation of our IEMP.
Kaitiakitanga, Tino Rangatiratanga and Treaty of Waitangi
Effective Involvement
Ngāti Mutunga is effectively involved in the management and protection of natural resources
Agency Understanding
Agencies responsible for environmental management understand and respect the role, value, and responsibilities of Ngāti Mutunga
Enhanced Partnerships
Partnerships between Ngāti Mutunga and agencies responsible for environmental management are developed and enhanced
Fostered Capacity
Agencies foster the capacity of Ngāti Mutunga to engage in environmental management, particularly decision making processes and planning
Embedded Values
Ngāti Mutunga values become embedded in the planning documents and management practices of relevant agencies
Environment
1
Holistic Management
Natural and physical resources are managed in a holistic and integrated way
2
Environmental Restoration
The state of the natural environment is restored to a state which supports the values and customs of Ngāti Mutunga
3
Life-Supporting Capacity
The life-supporting capacity of the environment is protected and supported
4
Active Involvement
Ngāti Mutunga is actively involved in the day-to-day management of the environment
5
Enhanced Capacity
Ngāti Mutunga capacity to engage on environmental issues and participate in activities such as environmental monitoring is enhanced
Social, Economic, Health, and Well-being
Health Protection
All plans, policies, strategies, regulations, laws and other methods of environmental regulation or planning identify and avoid negative effects on the health and wellbeing of the Ngāti Mutunga community
Community Belonging
Establish a sense of belonging and Kaitiakitanga amongst the whole community
Generational Continuity
The Kaitiakitanga tradition of Ngāti Mutunga is continued through the generations
Our approach recognizes that environmental health and community wellbeing are inseparably connected. When our rivers are healthy, our people are healthy.
Te Puna Waiora: Our Water Heritage
The traditions of Ngāti Mutunga describe the cultural, historical, and spiritual association of Ngāti Mutunga and the waterways in our rohe. For Ngāti Mutunga, these areas represent the links between our tūpuna and present and future generations. This history and relationship reinforce tribal identity, connections between generations, and confirms the importance of freshwater to Ngāti Mutunga.
Cultural Values
Lifeblood
Water is the lifeblood of the people, sustaining growth of plants, animals, and people
Mauri & Wairua
Water has spiritual qualities of mauri and wairua related to physical wellbeing
Taonga
Water is a Taonga to be valued and respected, not a commodity
Tūpuna Knowledge
Our tūpuna had considerable knowledge of sustainable resource use
Kaitiaki Responsibility
Our responsibility to ensure values, tikanga, and water endure for future generations
Awa (rivers) in the rohe were and still are central to the social, spiritual, and physical lifestyle of the Ngāti Mutunga people. Many pā are located along the rivers, testament to the occupation of the area by our tūpuna.
The Urenui River
The name Urenui derives from Tu-Urenui, the son of Manaia, who commanded the Tahatuna waka. As an acknowledgement of his mana in the area, Manaia named the area after his son. The river was also known as Te Wai o Kura, after Kura, the ancestor of the Ngāti Kura hapū.
Cultural Significance
The Urenui River was referred to as "he wai here Taniwha" - this figurative expression was used because of the large number of pā along the banks of the river, including:
  • Pihanga
  • Pohokura
  • Maruehi
  • Urenui
  • Kumarakaiamo
  • Ohaoko
  • Pā-oneone
  • Moeariki
"Mai Te Wai o Mihirau (Mimi River) ki Te Wai o Kuranui (Urenui), koia tera ko te whakararunganui taniwha"
The Urenui River is a treasured taonga and resource of Ngāti Mutunga. Traditionally the Urenui River and, in times past, the associated wetland area have been a source of food as well as a transport waterway.
The Mimitangiatua River
The full name of the Mimi River is Mimitangiatua. The river is also known as Te Wai o Mihirau. Mihirau was an ancestress of the Te Kekerewai hapū and was a prominent woman of her time.
Historical Settlements
Many pā and kāinga located along the banks including Mimi-Papahutiwai, Omihi, Arapawanui, Oropapa, Pukekohe, Toki-kinikini, and Tupari
Warrior Heritage
Arapawanui was the pā of Mutunga's famous grandsons Tukutahi and Rehetaia, celebrated warriors who took the stronghold of Kohangamouku
Preservation Practices
The river and associated huhi, ngahere, and repo were used by Ngāti Mutunga to preserve taonga in swamps during times of war
"Without healthy water you won't have a healthy rohe. And without a healthy rohe you can't have healthy people" – Jamie Tuuta
To the people of Ngāti Mutunga, all the rivers and their respective valleys are of the utmost importance because of their physical, spiritual and social significance in the past, present, and future.
Te Puna Waiora Objectives
Understanding and Significance
Help ourselves and others understand the significance and value of the water within our rohe
Cultural and Ecological Values
Ensure that any use of water maintains the cultural and ecological values associated with water
Healthy Waterways
Ensure waterways are healthy and support Ngāti Mutunga customary activities
Ngā Take – Issues
Crown Recognition
Lack of Crown recognition of iwi ownership of rivers, leading to an inability of iwi to develop, use and protect water resources
Participation
Lack of Ngāti Mutunga participation in freshwater management
Monitoring
Lack of monitoring of and information on the health of waterways in our rohe
Protection
Protection of wāhi tapu and wāhi taonga associated with waterways
Rivers and Streams: Witnessing Change
Our people have seen great changes in our rivers over the years. Our tūpuna were sustained by the rivers; they provided many resources, especially food. They were also key transport routes.
Historical Abundance
Rivers once provided plentiful resources and sustained our communities
Degradation Process
Changes have degraded their mauri and wairua over time
Current Reality
Rivers can no longer sustain us as they once did
Species Loss
Many kai species have disappeared, physical appearance changed beyond recognition
Our Restoration Objectives
Physical & Spiritual Health
Restore the physical and spiritual health of the rivers
Relationship Renewal
Re-establish the relationship between the people and the rivers
Community Education
Educate others about the importance, history, and meaning of our rivers
This 'Mauri Compass Project,' funded through Te Wai Māori Trust, is one example of how we are working towards these objectives.
Te Wai Māori Trust Partnership
We are grateful to Te Wai Māori Trust for supporting this Project. Te Wai Māori makes funding available to iwi and hapū through the Wai Ora Fund and the Tiaki Wai Fund to promote and advance Māori interests in freshwater fisheries through development, research, and education.
Capacity Building
Increasing iwi and hapū capacity and capability in freshwater fisheries and their ability to control their freshwater fisheries
Indigenous Expertise
Fostering indigenous fisheries expertise, knowledge, and understanding
Information Quality
Increasing the quality and range of information to iwi and hapū on freshwater fisheries and their interests thereof
Fisheries Enhancement
Ensuring that the indigenous fisheries are well and can be enhanced
The Mauri Compass Project
Planning and logistics for this Project began in earnest in October 2019 with the mātauranga Māori and mahinga kai wānanga occurring over January and February 2020. Data analysis and report writing concluded in June 2020.
1
October 2019
Project planning and logistics commenced
2
January-February 2020
Mātauranga Māori and mahinga kai wānanga conducted
3
June 2020
Data analysis and report writing completed
Ngāti Mutunga recognises that everything has a mauri or life force, and all elements of our environment are interconnected. In order for our people to be healthy and happy, everything around them needs to be healthy too.
Over the last ten years, we have become increasingly involved in the RMA process with the renewal and issuing of Resource Consents that have the potential to impact negatively on our freshwater fisheries.
We had been looking for a monitoring tool that would assist us in fulfilling our kaitiaki responsibilities and enable us to play a proactive role in environmental management, particularly around the priority area of freshwater governance.
Project Aim
The purpose of this Project was to use the Mauri Compass tool to assess the mauri of the Urenui and Mimitangiatua rivers utilising mātauranga Māori and the practice of mahinga kai at eight key sites. It also enabled our iwi members to upskill themselves in the longterm monitoring of our tupuna awa.
Eight Mahinga Kai Sites
Four on the Urenui awa and four in the Mimitangiatua awa for comprehensive assessment
Historical Significance
Shared the cultural and historical importance of each monitoring site
Water Quality Recording
Documented comprehensive information on the water quality of our rivers
Taonga Species Knowledge
Enhanced understanding of our freshwater taonga species and their health
Wairua
Ensured spiritual protection of our team through karakia and cultural protocols
Physical Safety
Maintained team safety through comprehensive health and safety procedures
Mauri Compass Methodology
The Mauri Compass was developed by Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa and the Gisborne District Council and is being used in a RMA context for wastewater and stormwater management in the Tairawhiti region. It was also used by Te Aitanga a Mahaki to compare the mauri of the Waipaoa River Catchment in 2008 and 2018.
Te Ao Māori
Tangata Whenua connection, Tikanga practices, Wairua spiritual connections, Mahinga kai traditions
Nga Tini A Tangaroa
Kai species richness, Taonga species abundance and health, Catchment ecosystem health
Te Ao Taiao
Natural habitat quality, Biodiversity levels, Biohazards, Chemical pollution
Ian Ruru and his sons Riaki and Manawa helped us to use the tool and to apply the assessments. We will also be trained up as accredited Mauri Compass assessors so that we can continue to monitor our mauri restoration projects.
Mātauranga Māori Framework
Through wānanga, we began by answering a set of questions and calculating scores based on our knowledge of our tupuna awa. We calculated scores for the historic or pre-European state and for the current state for the Urenui and Mimitangiatua. There are up to one hundred questions to answer. Each set of questions feed into the twelve indicators that form the Mauri Compass.
01
Wānanga Sessions
Community knowledge-sharing sessions to gather traditional understanding
02
Question Framework
Up to 100 questions covering all aspects of river health and cultural connection
03
Historical Comparison
Scoring both pre-European and current states for comprehensive analysis
04
Twelve Indicators
All questions feed into the comprehensive twelve-indicator assessment framework
05
Data Visualization
Raw scores entered into Excel algorithms to generate bar charts and dashboards
06
Ground-truthing
Cross-referenced scores with local reference material for validation
A three-year-old Riaki Ruru under the guidance of his grandfather Bill in 2003 (left) and with his brother Manawa and Anne-Maree McKay from our Ngāti Mutunga team in 2020 (right). Bill Ruru was a quiet but key proponent for developing the framework.
The Twelve Mauri Compass Indicators
Tangata Whenua
How strong is the overall connection to the waterbody?
Tikanga
How prevalent are the cultural practices with the waterbody?
Wairua
How strong are the spiritual connections with the waterbody?
Mahinga Kai
Is mahinga kai practiced?
5
Kai Species Richness
Diversity of food species in the waterbody
Taonga Species Abundance
Population levels of sentinel kai species
Taonga Species Health
How healthy is the kai in the waterbody?
8
Catchment Health
Ecosystem state upstream and downstream of the waterbody
Natural Habitat
How natural is the habitat in and adjacent to the waterbody?
10
Biodiversity
How diverse is the plant and animal life associated with the waterbody?
Biohazards
How germ-free is the waterbody?
Chem-hazards
How free of chemical pollution is the water body?
Summary Table of Scores
The raw scores from our wānanga were entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with algorithms and used to generate bar charts and dashboards. The bar charts and dashboards provided excellent visual reminders of the mahi that we have to do to restore the mauri of our tupuna awa.
We also cross-referenced and ground-truthed our scores with local reference material to ensure accuracy and cultural authenticity.
Mahinga Kai: Traditional Food Gathering
Mahinga kai is about mahi ngā kai – the way we gather resources, where we get them from, how we process them, and what we produce. These places, processes, and skills are an essential element of Ngāti Mutungatanga. Our tūpuna were able to feed, clothe, and house themselves using the resources provided by Papatūānuku.
Habitat Destruction
European settlement disrupted traditional cycles by clearing forests and draining wetlands
Introduced Species
New species eat or outcompete native species (possums, cats, trout)
Land Confiscation
Separation from traditional resources, unable to live from the land as tūpuna did
Species Decline
Marked decrease in availability - some species gone, others scarce
Our Objectives
Tradition Preservation
Retain our traditions around mahinga kai, and pass those traditions on to future generations
Waterway Restoration
Improve the health of our waterways to support mahinga kai, so we can teach our mokopuna
Mahinga Kai Field Research
Our comprehensive field research involved visiting eight mahinga kai sites across both river systems, combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods.
Site Visits
Eight mahinga kai sites - four on the Urenui awa, and four in the Mimitangiatua awa
Historical Sharing
Shared the historical significance of each site with participating whānau
Water Quality
Recorded comprehensive information on the water quality of our rivers
Taonga Species
Learnt about our freshwater taonga species and their current health status
Spiritual Safety
Ensured spiritual safety through karakia and cultural protocols
Physical Safety
Maintained team safety through comprehensive health and safety procedures
Rawiri McClutchie, Riaki Ruru, Anne-Maree McKay, Te Araroa McKay demonstrating textbook net-setting techniques. All nets were unbaited, set perpendicular to the stream and retrieved the next morning.
Field Data Collection
Mahinga kai river data was recorded at each site, providing comprehensive baseline information for our assessment.
8
Monitoring Sites
Comprehensive coverage across both river systems
5
Water Parameters
Clarity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH
2-70
Age Range
Whānau participation from toddlers to elders
A drone video has been produced to highlight our rohe and mahi, our team in action and on location. We had a very enjoyable time connecting with our ancestral waterways and sharing knowledge across generations.
This process involved Ngāti Mutunga whānau aged from 2 to 70 plus and it will be easy to involve the whole Ngāti Mutunga whānau during any future surveying we do.
Mauri Compass Results Overview
The Mauri Compass was used to compare four distinct states across our two river systems, providing comprehensive insights into the changes in mauri over time.
1
Urenui River Pre-European
Historical baseline before European settlement
2
Urenui River Current
Present-day state and conditions
3
Mimitangiatua Pre-European
Historical baseline for comparison
4
Mimitangiatua Current
Current state assessment
The outcomes of the Mauri Compass work were used in conjunction with Ngāti Mutunga mātauranga Māori, mahinga kai, and anchored with reference material such as the Ngāti Mutunga Iwi Environmental Management Plan.
60%
Urenui Decline
Overall mauri reduction since pre-European times
62%
Mimitangiatua Decline
Similar pattern of mauri degradation
80%
Tuna Impact
Most severe decline in our taonga species
Detailed Mauri Assessment Results
Our comprehensive assessment revealed significant changes across all twelve indicators, with particularly dramatic declines in areas related to our taonga species.
The chart reveals the stark reality: every attribute value has declined dramatically since pre-European settlement, with the most significant declines related to our taonga tuna species.
Bar Chart Analysis
The Urenui River bar chart reveals the comprehensive nature of environmental decline across all measured indicators.
Universal Decline
Every attribute value has declined dramatically since pre-European settlement
Tuna Crisis
Most significant declines related to Kai Species (Tuna) Richness, Abundance, and Health
Biohazard Concern
Biohazard attribute scored absolute minimum due to septic tank human sewage pollution
Cultural Disconnection
These factors contribute to reduced Ngāti Mutunga connections with our awa
The Mimitangiatua River shows similar patterns of decline, with identical 80% reductions in tuna-related indicators and severe biohazard issues from sewage pollution.
River Comparison Analysis
Comparing the current states of both rivers reveals important differences in accessibility and management impacts.
Urenui River Advantages
  • TRONM received land around river mouth during settlement
  • Access to awa at Okoki pa included
  • Easy public access despite campground and reserve status
  • Higher Tangata Whenua connection score (68% vs 45%)
Shared Challenges
  • Lowest possible biohazard scores due to human sewage
  • 80% decline in all tuna-related indicators
  • Significant habitat modification
  • Reduced cultural practice opportunities
The elevated Tangata Whenua connection with the Urenui compared to the Mimitangiatua awa reflects the importance of land ownership and access rights in maintaining cultural connections to waterways.
We note the lowest possible score for Biohazards in the Urenui awa due to human sewage/septic pollution, highlighting urgent infrastructure needs.
Mauri Compass Dashboards
The dashboards provide immediate visual representation of the dramatic changes in mauri between pre-European and current states for both river systems.
Restoration Potential
"Mauri, in any form, no matter how weak it may appear, can be nurtured and restored; the dashboards above illustrate how dire the situation is and has sparked our motivation to urgently intervene and act accordingly."
Biodiversity Context
The 'biodiversity' indicator for the pre-European state is not 100% because we assume the impact of customary fishing on the biodiversity of our awa.
Mahinga Kai Scope
The 'mahinga kai' indicator includes all mahinga kai species, while 'kai species' indicators relate specifically to Tuna as our sentinel species.
The 'biohazard' and 'chemhazard' results were derived from Taranaki Regional Council Reports, providing scientific validation for our cultural assessments.
Discussion: Te Ao Māori Indicators
Tangata Whenua Connection Analysis
The difference between Mimitangiatua (45%) and Urenui (68%) connection scores reflects the critical importance of access and land ownership in maintaining cultural relationships with waterways.
1
Access Challenges
Difficulty accessing Mimitangiatua due to changed landowner relationships and coastal erosion at Waitoetoe beach
2
Settlement Benefits
TRONM received land around Urenui river mouth and Okoki pa during Crown settlement
3
Community Validation
Community online survey confirmed: Urenui 68% felt healthy vs Mimitangiatua 25%
4
Cultural Health Index
Urenui scored 67/115 (Score A) vs Mimitangiatua 49/115 (Score B)
Whānau reported feeling that the Mimitangiatua felt 'lonely' and that Ngāti Mutunga needed to make a point of visiting more often and improving relationships with landowners.
Tikanga and Wairua Assessment
Cultural Practices (Tikanga)
Mimitangiatua 30% vs Urenui 40% - reflecting access challenges and land control issues affecting our ability to practice traditional customs.
Access Impact on Tikanga
Problems with access to Mimitangiatua - used to access estuary from several places due to Ngāti Mutunga ownership and landowner relationships
Urenui Advantages
Easier access with Rūnanga owning land on both sides of estuary as part of treaty settlement
Modification Balance
Balance between ease of access versus modification from campground numbers and sewage impact from Urenui township
Spiritual Connections (Wairua)
Mimitangiatua 53% vs Urenui 60% - closer results reflecting strong whakapapa connections despite access challenges.
Continuing Practices
Urenui still used for healing, karakia, and baptisms, particularly at the boat ramp area
Spiritual Loneliness
Mimitangiatua needs more frequent visits to maintain spiritual relationships
Mahinga Kai Practices Assessment
Mimitangiatua 52% vs Urenui 56% - these closer values reflect the universal decline in available mahinga kai on both rivers, particularly in their estuaries.
5.5
Mimitangiatua Average
Total eels per site (2.7 upstream, 2.8 downstream)
3.0
Urenui Average
Total eels per site (1.8 upstream, 1.2 downstream)
94%
Longfin Dominance
Species ratio: 94% Longfin, 6% Shortfin eels observed
Confirmed Knowledge from Personal Memories
Tuna Decline
Decline in size and numbers of Tuna (linked by participants to commercial fishing)
Piharau Loss
Decline in Piharau (linked to sedimentation, but uncertain)
Species Diversity Loss
Piharau from Mimitangiatua, Tuangi from Mimitangiatua no longer present
Commercial take has had a huge impact, with development occurring in three phases: exploitation (1965-1980), consolidation (1980-2000), and rationalization (2000 onwards).
Taonga Species Health Assessment
Tuna Abundance and Health
Our mahinga kai research confirmed the almost total absence of our taonga freshwater tuna species, with extremely low numbers observed across all sites.
Positive Health Signs
All Tuna caught were alive and lively, though elders noted they used to be more energetic
Dissection Results
Only three eels from each awa dissected - no external or internal signs of abnormalities or parasites observed
Future Analysis
Otoliths preserved for ageing to provide insight into length-age relationships and growth rates
Recovery Signs
Anecdotal evidence suggests improvement after commercial eel fishers ceased operations around 2000
Anne-Maree noted that she never used to see tuna when younger, even when streams were dammed, but now we never do water testing without eventually seeing a tuna.
Conclusions and Next Steps
Firstly, we would like to say how much we enjoyed working with Ian and his whānau. The Mauri Compass had a good balance of mātauranga māori and science data collection, making it easier to be recognised by councils while putting Ngāti Mutunga cultural values first.
01
Expand Monitoring
Repeat mahi at eight sites four times per year to capture seasonal variations in water quality and taonga species
02
Include Onaero River
Add four sites on our other major tupuna awa, including one in pristine Taramoukou forest
03
E.coli Testing
Upgrade SHMAK test kits to include E.coli testing - critical data lacking in our rohe
04
Species Diversity
Purchase gill nets to research other fish species beyond tuna
05
Tuna Enhancement
Investigate tuna enhancement options as means of rebuilding decimated stocks
06
Piharau Survey
Re-apply to Te Wai Māori Trust for Tiaki Wai funded piharau survey using pheromone detectors