Pohara Marae Ecological Strategy

Protecting and restoring our taonga Ngati Koroki Kahukura

Jacqueline Paul Sharon Eccleshall Rory Gray Chantelle Lubbe Daisy Guo

URBAN PARK

Urban Parkland/Open Sp

CONTENTS CONTENTS

<all other values>

INFRASTRUCTURE

3

Built-up Area (settlement)

OUTLINE 4 VISION 5 CLIENT 7

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CONTEXT 8 LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

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IWI LAND OWNERSHIP

12

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

13

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HYDROELECTRICITY 15 16

LAND-USE CAPABILITY

17

<all other values>

SURFACE [Roads]

SLOPE 19 TOPOGRAPHY 20

metalled

HYDROLOGY 21 22

STRATEGY: EXTRUSION

23

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

24

MAORI DESIGN PRINCIPLES

25

sealed unmetalled

EROSION

ECOLOGY 26 28

FOREST FRAGMENTS

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ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE

30

ECONOMIC RESILIENCE

32

severe limitations

HYDROLOGY

REFERENCES 34 2

0,000

GREEN CORRIDORS

Pohara Pa nz-railway-centre-lines

GEOLOGY 18

COMPOSITION OVERLAY

Surface Mine or Dump

nz-powerline-centrelines-

INFRASTRUCTURE 14 LAND COVER

Transport Infrastructure

River 3

Lake or Pond

VISION

OUTLINE Our brief strives towards designing an ecological

The vision of our strategy is to assist Ngati Koroki

strategy for the enhancement and management of

Kahukura towards producing food and resources they

the broad scale cultural landscape that is significant

require to live from their land and water within their

to Ngati Koroki Kahukura and whanau of Pohara

rohe to provide for their families as well as protecting

marae. The strategy should aim to analyze the site and

their natural environment and significant cultural

understand cultural perceptions and values of Ngati

sites that recognise places of identity for the future

Koroki Kahukura.

generations. This may also include an aim to implement potential strategies to provide cultural services that

The overall brief vision for Pohara Marae will work

will provide variety of benefits people obtain from

towards the potential development of producing

ecosystems through spiritual enrichment, recreation,

an ecological resilient and culturally responsive

and aesthetic experiences.

strategy which incorporates matauranga maori but also explores the critique of local landscape ecology

The key objective is to develop, encourage and grow

and maori cultural landscape as a whole and how the

the ecological state of both the land and the people of

strategy will be implemented and managed.

Ngati Koroki Kahukura.

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5

CLIENT

Ngāti Korokī Kahukura Trust

Ko Maungatautari tō mātou maunga

Ngati Koroki Kahukura has important traditional relationships amongst each other and will have control over their own

Ko Waikato tō mātou awa tupuna

resources and work together to implement community based

Ko Ngāti Korokī Kahukura mātou

strategies for environmental planning through management.

Ko Maungatautari, ko Pōhara ō mātou marae

This accommodates their lifestyles and they will able to continue Our mountain is Maungatautari

towards a sustainable future and fulfil aspirations and goals.

Our ancestral river is Waikato Ecological

performance

and

cultural

considerations

We are Ngāti Korokī Kahukura

are

Our marae are Maungatautari and Pōhara

implemented into the design process because it recognises important cultural values which is an integral element. Through land use strategies we can divide the site spatially based on landscape patterns and capabilities but also understanding how this influences cultural, social, economic and ecological relations.

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7

CONTEXT

Maungatautari—Maunga Tupuna Ngāti Koroki Kahukura are inextricably bound to the maunga by virtue between

of whakapapa that derives from the creation stories of Ranginui and

Maungatautari and the river Waikato. Maungatautari

Papatūānuku. This interconnectedness lies at the heart of the way Ngāti

is isolated within an agricultural landscape of exotic

Koroki Kahukura view the world and their taonga and is the basis of

rolling green pastures and shelterbelts. The landscape

kaitiakitanga, which dictates, among other things, that the mauri of these

has distinct imprints from the Waikato’s riverine system

taonga must be respected as a matter of priority.

Pohara

is

uniquely

positioned

5km

travels and the land shows little resemblance to its The maunga has a significant spiritual relevance for Ngāti Koroki Kahukura,

wetland past.

who regard the maunga as a source of mana and an indicator of their The Maungatautari district within the Waikato prior to

own mauri or well-being. The maunga and its forests offered shelter and

settlement was generously covered in scrub, bracken

provided physical sustenance for Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, who maintained

Pohara

and fern. Since then the land has been excessively cleared, the majority of it now farmed [dairy, beef and

Maungatautari Sanctuary

ahi kā roa through the turbulence of the 1830s, the last period of largescale inter-tribal conflict, and have continued to live close to the mountain ever since.

lamb]. The clearing processes used [burning, draining, felling] and the current land use intensification have

Waikato River—Awa Tupuna

been the dominant modifier and have caused severe damage to some ecological areas such as stream degradation, flow regime modification and disruption

Ngāti Koroki Kahukura are inextricably bound to the awa tupuna by

of fish passages and spawning habitat. 90% of New

virtue of whakapapa, which derives from the creation stories of Ranginui

Zealands wetlands have been drained for land use,

and Papatūānuku. This interconnectedness lies at the heart of the way

causing a significant decrease in the biodiversity and a

Ngāti Koroki Kahukura view the world and waterways and is the basis

change in enivornmental health.

of kaitiakitanga, which dictates, among other things, that the mauri of

The historically the ecosystems of the area included:

waterways must be respected as a matter of priority. The awa tupuna has

Riverine

systemIndigenous

Forest

Farming

[submontane

Waikato River

traditional healing powers and a significant spiritual relevance for Ngāti

300-800m], Lowland forest [lowland 100-300m] and

Koroki Kahukura, who regard the awa as a source of mana and an indicator

Indigenous Wetlands.

of their own mauri or well-being (Ngati Koroki Kahukura Claims Settlement Act2014) 8

9

LANDSCAPE CHARACTER The landscape of the Maungatautari district largely consists of exotic rolling pastures intercepted with linear shelterbelts. The carved edges of the lowland plains a reminder of the extent of the wetland history of the Waikato River. The surrounding rock formation are a predominate Taonga onsite.

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IWI LAND OWNERSHIP This map shows the relationship between the current Maori freehold land within the area in contrast to where the cultural

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CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

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The cultural sites of significance map which shows the

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significant sites remain. In the past, from Cambridge to Pohara,

classified based on the site type which is shown in the legend.

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the land used to be all Maori freehold and all these cultural sites

From this we are able to identify the important areas which are of

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identified were also on Maori Freehold land. From the map you

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land within the area but several small lots.

Ngati Koroki Kahukura is trying to gain as much land back as they can prioritising the land where all the significant sites are. The iwi also has first rights to purchasing land from general freeholders if they wish to purchase.

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SCALE @ 1:100’000

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cultural significance to the local people. We will aim to protect and

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can see the huge difference where Maori do not own a lot of the

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preserve these sites as they hold a lot of history.

Legend

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Pohara Pā ! !!#! ! ! !! ! ! ! Pā !#!Pohara ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Legend

Unclassified Sites

Unclassified Sites <all other values> SiteType <all other values>

!

Cave/ rock shelter

Flour milling pastoral ! Agricultural/

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Industrial ! Cave/ rock shelter ! Maori horticulture Flour milling ! Mission station Pa ! Industrial

!

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Sourced from the LINZ Data Service and licensed for re-use 13 under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence

Agricultural/ pastoral

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Sourced from the LINZ Data Service and licensed for re-use under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand licence

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SiteType

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archaeological sites within the Pohara and wider area. It is

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Pit/Terrace ! Maori horticulture ! Transport/ communication Mission station ! Unclassified Pa

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Pit/Terrace

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Transport/ communication

!

Unclassified

INFRASTRUCTURE

¯

HYDROELECTRICITY

Pohara is situated between two major infrastructure points,

The building of Karapiro Dam has caused lake waters to rise which

Arapuni and Cambridge. Both of these have strong iwi, cultural and

has caused distress for Ngati Koroki Kahukura. Their burial sites

economic connections to the Waikato river. Runoff and sediment

were along the river banks of the Waikato River. As a result of the

discharge into Pohara and surrounding areas is largely contributed INFRASTRUCTURE

construction of Karapiro dam the river flooded which had a huge

by lake Arapuni.

URBAN PARK Poharas relationships with these areas are of great

impact on these wahi tapu sites. There was no protection so bones

significance for the future Urban Parkland/Open Spaceof the land, ecology and its people.

from along the banks rose as the river became flooded.

<all is other values> Arapuni used for trout fishing and water activities, brining people

INFRASTRUCTURE into the community and surroundings. It is a developing area with

¯

Certain activities have had a direct impact on our awa tupuna,

Built-up Area (settlement)

local schools and an infrastructure based community. Cambridge

such as the Karāpiro Dam:

Transport Infrastructure

is the main source of infrastructure, facilitating all necessary

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Surface Mine or Dump

services for the local people and surrounding communities.

Pohara Pa

This dam covered a burial site of the battle of taumata wīwī, a

# INFRASTRUCTURE

wāhi tapu. To make matters worse, the top of the rocks that were

URBAN nz-powerline-centrelines-topo-1250k PARK Urban Parkland/Open Space

used as a burial site was removed to allow for international rowing

nz-railway-centre-lines

<all other values>

INFRASTRUCTURE

races.

<all other values>

Built-up Area (settlement)

SURFACE [Roads] ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

#

Transport Infrastructure Surface Mine or Dump

metalled

Pohara Pa

The damming of the river meant loss of land through flooding.

nz-powerline-centrelines-topo-1250k

sealed

nz-railway-centre-lines <all other values>

unmetalled

SURFACE [Roads]

One million elvers are trapped each year and physically transferred

EROSION metalled sealed

through the catchment

severe limitations

unmetalled

EROSION

HYDROLOGY River

There is a major weed problem in Karāpiro

River

SCALE @ A3 1:250,000

SCALE @ A3 1:250,000

HYDROLOGY severe limitations Lake or Pond

Lake or Pond

Text

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This map shows the extensive pastures and the fragmented forest patches. Forest fragments are small and scattered. The land cover

This map shows the current land use of the District. The fertile

has been extensively modified and the land use changed to

land being highly sort after by agricultural industries has caused

predominantly farming [dairy and lamb].

intensification as is Legend further depleting the availability of these high quality soils for future agricultural industries. The agricultural Arable Land

The Waikato region has a great water source that supports farming

industries Legend reduce the quality of the soils through the application of

e.g. irrigation. However, it is noted in research that the quality and

fertilizers which Arableaffect Landthe natural organisms which help to restore

Legend Legend could be remedied vary from increasing riparian planting margins

and balance the lifeLUC force of the soil. Exotic plants seem to thrive in <all other values>

Land Cover canopy cover to help decrease Cover from 25 toLand 50 meters or increasing

successional regeneration of native land cover. Native land cover

<all other values>

quantity of this water source is declining. Suggestions on how this

Legend

these new modified environments making it even harder for the 1 LUC

2 is the best form of 1mitigation ensuring the water entering the

the evapotranspiration. <all other values> <all other values>

Legend Pohara Pā Pohara Pā

Legend Pohara Pā #

#

Pohara Pā Land Cover

Legend Land Cover

<all other values> Name_2012

#

Land Cover

Land Cover The AGF2015 states the benefits of restoring indigenous plant Native Vegetation Native Vegetation species to the landscape include increased provision of a range of <all other values>

Name_2012 Native Vegetation Exotic Vegetation

-

Improved crop pollination

-

waterways, both above and underground is filtered and cleaned 3

Disease and pest control

- ExoticRiparian zoneProduction protection of water qualityLand Vegetation Production Grass Grass Land -

Offset of CO2 emissions

Production Vegetation Parkland Parkland Production Grass Land Gravel or Rock Gravel or Rock

Exotic Vegetation

Production Grass Land

Parkland

Lake or Pond Lake or Pond

Native Vegetation

Production Vegetation

Parkland

Gravel or Rock

River

Exotic Vegetation

Production Grass Land

Gravel or Rock

Lake or Pond

Built-up Area (settlement) Built-up Area (settlement)

Production Vegetation

Parkland

Lake or Pond 16

River

2

Arablesecuring Land the future use of the land for the agriculture and hence

Pohara Pā

4 3 horticulture<all industries. other values> 4

5

1

5

6

2

6

7

3

7

8

4

8

lake

5

lake

rive

6

rive

town

7

town

LUC

Native Vegetation ProductionProduction VegetationVegetation

Production Vegetation

Name_2012

#

Legend

Pohara Pā

ecosystems services,Exotic such as; Exotic Vegetation Vegetation

Name_2012 <all other values>

Native Vegetation

<all other values>

#

Name_2012 Name_2012

SCALE @ 1:100’000

#

SCALE @ 1:100’000

ohara Pā

LAND-USE CAPABILITY

LAND COVER

#

Pohara Pā

River

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GEOLOGY

SLOPE

Legend

Slope analysis is vital to ensuring the health of the environment in

Geology

terms of reducing sediment runoff and preventing further erosion.

<all other values>

Typically land that is unsuitable for agriculture or cropping is

TOPROCK Legend

farmed with pine trees, however depending on the slope degree

Undifferentiated Floodplain Alluvium

Geology

Gravels

#

this can lead to erosion. Analysis the slope of land gives us an indication on the erodibility and hence enables us to assign a land

<all other values>

use e.g. return to native for high slope or the use of it for orchards

Greywacke TOPROCK

Pohara Pā

#

Lahar Deposits Undifferentiated Floodplain Alluvium

Pohara Pā

or forest harvesting.

Ashes older than Taupo

Legend

Gravels

Peat

#

Greywacke

Breccia and Volcanic Alluvium

Pohara Pā

#

Lahar Deposits

Slope

Pohara Pā

<VALUE>

Unconsolidated to Moderatly Consolidated Clays, Silts and Sands

0 - 10%

Legend

Ashes older than Taupo

Lake

Peat

River

Breccia and Volcanic Alluvium

TownshipUnconsolidated to Moderatly Consolidated Clays, Silts and Sands

Ignimbrite and 'Hard' Volcanic Rocks Lake

11 - 20% Slope 21 - 30% <VALUE>

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Ignimbrite and 'Hard' Volcanic Rocks

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0 - 10%

>40%

11 - 20% 21 - 30% 31 - 40%

River Township

31 - 40%

>40%

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TOPOGRAPHY

HYDROLOGY The identification of the hydrological conditions on site is to show the way water has changed the landscape over time and the

#

This map shows shows the formation of land largely influenced

ecological state of the land. By mapping key identifications we

by historic volcanic activity and the evolution of the Waikato

are able to show where stream ordering has occurred and where

River system. The topography of the district varies from the high

areas of significance to the ecology of the landscape can be found.

volcanic cone of Maungatautari (797m) to the low terraces and

Through identification of the stream orders and catchment areas Stream Order

floodplains of the existing Waikato River Channel. [www.ew.govt.

we are able to understand the site conditions and the implications <all other values>

Legend

we could face. The Waikato River is a vital part of the ecosystem

nz]

Pohara Pā

ORDER

in the Waikato region and effects even the biodiversity found up Order 1 stream were larger catchments including Lake Taupo lies. The

characteristics and hydrology of the river shapes it surrounding Order 2

#

landscapes, but with the altering of the water flow and ecosystems

Pohara Pā

#

Pohara Pā

3 due to farming, large Order scale implications are formed.

Legend Stream Order

Order 4

<all other values>

Order 5

Order 1

Order 7

Legend 25m Intervals

SCALE @ 1:100’000

SCALE @ 1:100’000

ORDER

Order 2

#

Pohara Pā

Order 4 Order 5

Legend

Order 7 Catchment Order 6

25m Intervals

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Catchment Order 6

Order 3

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COMPOSITION OVERLAY

STRATEGY: EXTRUSION

Ecological Approach The map shows areas suitable for revegetation e.g.

Ecological

Areas of unstable land such as on hills and beside streams,

considerations

are

connection from the maunga to the awa.

land use strategies we can divide site spatially based on landscape

The black and white mosaic composition map consists of the

influences cultural, social, economic and ecological relations.

patterns and capabilities but also understanding how this Through extrusion we were able to show our strategy and how

following explored data:

revegetation of natives and riparian margins can manage current

• Land Use Capability

issues of erosion due to agriculture, water quality and the quality

• Land Cover

of the land itself. By understanding the land potential, we can

• Hydrology

spatially arrange zoning for land use within the area to control

• Slope

these spaces to benefit the environment and the people.

By overlaying this data into one map we are able to understand the

land potential and visualise opportunities to assist our decision Legend making towards developing ecological strategies and land use

Slope

planning.

<VALUE>

land potential 0Best - 10% High land potential 11 - 20% Good land potential 21 - 30% Limited 31 - 40%land potential Restricted land potential >40% 22

cultural

important cultural values which is an integral element. Through

to its vicinity and areas that can enhance the establishing of a

#

and

implemented into the design process because it recognises

Areas to retire land that is unsuitable for a particular land use due

Pohara Pā

performance

23

UNDERSTANDING CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

MAORI DESIGN PRINCIPLES Ngati Koroki Kahukura Values

Cultural Landscape

Mana

The status of iwi and hapū as mana whenua is

The fabric of the the Maori cultural landscape includes all physical and spiritual dimensions of whanau, hapu and iwi as expressed in our living environments - our whenua, kainga, whare and public spaces

Kaitiak​ itanga: managing and conserving the environment as part of a reciprocal relationship, based on the Māori world view that we as humans are part of the natural

Whakapapa

world

Culture is vital to the local community. Culturally insensitive projects may be received in a negative way. We aim to promote the importance of culture within the community and reflect this through the ecological restoration strategies.

Recognises and celebrates the significance of mana

Balance through design can show how future development, land and resources can be sustained using a hybrid of modern and traditional methods and knowledge. By identifying the key values for Ngati we can then apply these indigenous concepts to create a strategic foundation.

Kotahitanga: unity, cohesion and collaboration

whenua ancestral names

Whanaungatanga: a relationship through shared experiences and working together

Taiao

which provides people with a sense of belonging

The natural environment is protected, restored and / or enhanced

Through communication we achieve a cultural perspective, through listening we learn and then can understand the objectives to reflect and apply to develop a strategy which incorporates economic, ecologic, social and environmental considerations.

Tikanga: Doing what is right

Mauri Tu Environmental health is protected, maintained and / or

“The restoration of native bush, birds and reptiles to Maungatauturi is of immense importance to our people. Our Kaumatua have talked about restoring the dawn chorus to our sacred maunga”

Local Perception.

enhanced

The puna flowed into wetlands, the people of pohara are concerned that an increase in demand will affect the quantity and quality of this water supply and would like solutions to remedy this occurrence.

Mahi Toi Iwi/hapū narratives are captured and expressed creatively and appropriately

Access to cultural resources; especially identifying the potential areas which could provide dyes produced from peat soils, Increasing species population in stream biodiversity which may include the revitalization of tuna and/or Koura which is of cultural significance

Tohu Mana whenua significant sites and cultural landmarks

Rejuvenate, protect and preserve the puna situated near Pohara Marae which is currently isolated. Previous water demand relied on access to only two taps providing freshwater in contrast to today where they heavily rely on water supply to accommodate 15 houses located at Pohara papakainga

24

recognised and respected​​

Artist:

Brett Graham

25

ECOLOGY The biodiversity of the Maungatautari district within

Early settlement was generally close to resources such

What needs to be thought about when designing:

the Waikato prior to settlement was generously

as wetlands. Pohara Pa sits between two significant

covered in scrub and fern. Since settlement, the

ecosystems, the riverine system of the Waikato River

• • Exotic species have dominant seed banks.

land has been extensively cleared, the majority of it

and the Forest system of Maungatautari, both offering

• Increase biodiversity by fixing eco system

now farmed [dairying, beef and lamb]. The clearing

different food and resources. The land of Pohara is

• processes

processes used [burning, draining, felling] and the land

alluvial and volcanic ash, bore holes dug onsite have

• Prevent biosecurity threats

use intensification have been the dominant modifier

recovered fern from 70m down, suggesting the depth

in this region. The modification of the land has caused

of coverage after the Taupo eruption. The pre-eruption

severe damage to some ecological areas such as

land would have been Bracken, Flax, toitoi, wetlands

stream degradation, flow regime modification and

and swamp. The elders from Pohara remember

disruption of fish passages and spawning grounds. The

bracken up to 1.8 meters high around the waterways

modification of habitats causes competition for space

which they used for bathing screens. The surrounding

and food. Some species of the area are now extinct

rock formation are a predominate feature onsite. At the

such as the short tailed bat, a valuable pollinator to

base of the cliffs the overland flow sediment is visibly

some of our native flora and others have disappeared

noticeable and patches of erosion is showing on banks

from streams such as the Koura [Fresh water crayfish]

without vegetation. Wetlands were abundant with

and Tuna [Long fin eel].

food, harakeke (flax) for weaving, and other resources

WETLAND RESTORATION

Groundwater recharge

Forest defragmentation

for medicine, food, building, and craft use. Wetlands Birds native to the area include the Whitehead, N.Z.

have been identified as essential to the New Zealand

Pigeon, Kaka, Bellbird and Tui.

landscape, as natural carbon sponge’s wetlands

Biosecurity

can help with climate change and contribute other significant ecological system benefits such as; • Carbon sequestration • Habitats • Water purification and sediment removal • Flood protection and water management 26

Biodiversity 27

GREEN CORRIDORS

FOREST FRAGMENTS

Green and Blue Corridors: Creating networks through the addition

This map shows the fragmented forest reminants scattered

of green corridors will not only help support travel for flora and

through the region. The rings represent a 2.5km and 5km

fauna, but protect their habitats and assist in mitigating and

distance from pohara. Research recommends that large forest

cleaning the water of contaminants before it enters the riverine

patches should be within 5km of each other and hop-stop

system. To reduce edge effect penetration [Meurk, Hall] bigger,

smaller patches 1-2km apart. This dispersal gives wildlife the

compact areas are preferred rather than little patches that have

ability to move.Taking into account the 5km distance Pohara

a limited inner core habitat. Where possible increasing the patch

is from Maungatautari and the 2.5km distance from Waitako

sizes to 6.25 ha with a minimum 2-ha core to sustain sensitive

it reflects the potential of Pohara being a significant support

plants and animals.

patch for the flora and fauna of Maungatautari.Forest patch restoration: Research also suggests that the restoration of native forest is unlikely to occur spontaniously due to the fast growing competition of introduced species. This map shows that with the addition of vegetated buffers e.g. riparian planting and shelterbelt understorey planting the fragmented

• • • • •

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20m riparian strip along stream 10m understorey planting under shelterbelts Protection of regeneration of natives The conversion of slopes into native The regeneration of vegetation through the valley of the puna

SCALE @ 1:100’000

SCALE @ 1:50’000

land starts to reconnect providing safe migration corridors for wildlife as they leave Maungatautari in search of food and

Pohara sits 5km from Maungatautari Tui can fly 10-12km.

new habitats. The increase of patch sizes with the additional buffering and the removal of water flow barriers will not only protect the interior habitats and help with the successional regeneration of forest but also support fish migration and seed dispersal

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ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE Everything is connected and forms part of a life cycle. In the Maungatautari Ecological District 90% of the land has been modified. Simple implementations create domino effects on the surrounding area.

With a focus on our most sacred resource, water, we propose the following strategies to protect and enhance this ecological area whilst securing adequate land for economic development.

Add native vegetation buffers to streams and overland flow paths. The planting of overland flow paths will help recharge groundwater and enhance sediment control. The riparian planting along streams can be buffered with non invasive, native, organic cultivation such as ‘pa harakeke’ or fruit orchards. [seed banks are held by Landcare research for Marae’s to establish ‘pa harakeke].

Add native vegetation buffers to road sides and shelterbelt understory. This extends the green corridors, creates connections across land and between waterways for fauna to migrate.

Restore the lowland winter feeding grounds with the enhancement of native vegetation to support the efforts of Maungatautari. resources for the native birds of Maungatautari.

Minimise the loss of economically viable land by creating hybrid vegetation buffers using a mixture of native resource productive and non-invasive exotic resource productive plants. This will help create resilience in terms of securing future food productive land whilst protecting and enhancing the resource’s we rely on for survive.

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ECONOMIC RESILIENCE As a part of a larger collective of land owned by Ngati Koroki Kahukura the opportunity for iwi to be self sufficient is realistic, with the addition of solar power they could go off the grid. Pohara alone has extensive community connections with Maungatautari sanctuary, local schools, kapa haka groups to historic waka journeys organized for local Iwi down the Waikato river. These connections create opportunities to build further networks nationally and globally through tourism and to provide economically viable facilities to accommodate them: Organic produce (market/s) Organic farmstay/ Boutique B&B Marae style Camp/ retreats Cultural walks through nature Bird watching

The economic relief through the creation of an ecological camp/retreat at Pohara which boasts a cultural nature link to the Waikato River and Maungatautari sanctuary has the potential to attract and keep people in the area. This cultural link will also form a connection for the people of Pohara to their toanga [Awa and Maunga] whilst giving them an opportunity to educate groups on the importance of biodiversity, biosecurity and cultural values such as Mauri of the land and Kaikititanga of our natural resources. With an increase in tourism expected in the region it is an opportunity to create places for people to stay whilst engaging them on the values of Maori culture.

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Waikato taniwha rau, he piko he taniwha, he piko he taniwha Waikato of a hundred chiefs at every bend a chief, at every turn a chief