The Revive Our Gulf project is an initiative to restore the seabed kūtai / green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) reefs of Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui ā-Toi / The Hauraki Gulf. The project vision is a Hauraki Gulf ecosystem with restored mauri / life essence and returned to a state of natural biodiversity and abundance.
The project has three core collaborative partners: the Mussel Reef Restoration Trust (MRRT), an NZ-registered charity; The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a global environmental organisation; and the University of Auckland (UoA). We work in partnership with iwi / hapū across Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi / The Hauraki Gulf on mussel reef restoration projects.
Meet the people behind the project, find out about the history of the project or contact us.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been supporting mussel reef restoration efforts in Aotearoa since 2017. As a global environmental organisation (headquartered in Virginia, USA) they are actively involved in shellfish restoration projects around the world, supporting locally-led shellfish restoration initiatives with specialist expertise and funding.
The University of Auckland
Researchers at the Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, have been working on shellfish restoration research since the early 2000s. They provide specific scientific expertise around restoration methodologies and the ecosystem benefits of restoration.
The Mussel Reef Restoration Trust
MRRT was established in 2013. It was set up specifically to undertake the kūtai reef restoration work in Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui a-Toi / The Hauraki Gulf. The trust is the local entity responsible for growing capability and capacity for kūtai reef restoration for the Revive Our Gulf project.
MRRT is responsible for all permits and communications. MRRT works in partnership with mana whenua (iwi / hapū / whānau groups) across Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi / The Hauraki Gulf on kūtai reef restoration projects and also works with iwi / hapū on incorporating customary knowledge / mātauranga Māori into the restoration knowledge base.
Beyond the three core collaborative partners, the Revive Our Gulf project has a growing list of partners and sponsors that provide financial support and/or specialist facilities or expertise.
This work is endorsed and supported by the Hauraki Gulf Forum, local and central government, and private, corporate and institutional philanthropy.
Principal Partners & Funders
