Unlocking natural and cultural value

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa’s Korehāhā Whakahau project aims to remove possums from a 4,700ha area around Whākatane while creating jobs and building iwi capacity.

To do this they are implementing a range of methods and techniques to eradicate possums from the project area, to protect and enhance Ngāti Awa taiao. In its first year the project focussed on building and growing relationships with the local community and collaborating with landowners and community groups.

An important aspect of this project is creating opportunities for local iwi and hapū to increase capability and participation in the biodiversity/biosecurity sector.

The Eastern Bay of Plenty has retained important populations of kiwi, weka, kōkako, New Zealand falcon/kārearea, Australasian bittern/matuku, Banded rail/moho pererū and New Zealand robin/toutouwai, which have the potential to benefit from the enhanced predator control and restoration efforts.

Through the introduction of mātauranga indicators to measure change to the health of the ngahere and the whenua the project will ensure the continued protection of these native taonga species.