On Friday 19th of November, approximately 100 people from across Te Nehenehenui convened for the Maniapoto Taiao Symposium – Kawau Rukuruku, hosted in Te Anga, Waitomo, at the Maniapoto Cultural and Educational Centre.
The inaugural one-day symposium had a central focus on highlighting the research and achievements of taiao champions from Maniapoto in diverse fields such as native forest restoration/preservation, freshwater and ocean species conservation, wāhi tapu protection, and relevant policies and legislation.
Each kaikōrero presented the diversity of their ecosystems, the responses to the changing environments, challenges, their successes and aspirations for future generations, with great engagement from the audience during question time.
Kawau Rukuruku is the concept of a flock of Kawau (Cormorants/Shags) congregating before launching into flight towards their next goal. “Our goal was simple, to bring together our taiao practitioners from across the rohe of Te Nehenehenui into one space, to share our experiences and showcase to our iwi, their own achievements.” says Tama Blackburn, Te Nehenehenui Taiao Project Manager.
“Our rohe is enormous, and it is challenging to know who is doing what and where. If we are woven tightly throughout the rohe at a whāriki level, there is much more potential to grow and leverage each other upwards, and towards our aspirations,” he says.
Each whare of Te Nehenehenui had a taiao champion presenting, along with two high-profile mātauranga practitioners working with tuna, two local taiao businesses, and one expert policy analyst and practitioner.
There were many other practitioners, champions, and businesses in the crowd of engaged listeners. Feedback is still being gathered from those who attended, to determine whether there will be another Kawau Rukuruku, and what it might look like.
Te Nehenehenui would like to acknowledge Te Papa Atawhai ki Maniapoto for their ongoing support, our presenters, the support staff, and caterers, and all those who could make the occasion the remarkable success it was, tēnei te mihi. A special acknowledgment goes to the Ngāti Maniapoto Marae PACT Trust for allowing the use of the Maniapoto Cultural and Educational Centre to host the event.
