A message from our Kaihautū/Programme Director, Katina Conomos:
Thank you for your continued interest in the Revive Our Gulf project. Over the past year, our kaupapa has gained incredible momentum, with tangible progress in our mission to restore kūtai (green-lipped mussels) and contribute to the resilience of Tīkapa Moana/Te Moananui-ā-Toi/the Hauraki Gulf. This mahi is a collective effort, driven by a shared commitment to restoring the mauri of our moana through collaboration and innovation. I am especially proud of the genuine partnership at the heart of this kaupapa – Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti walking side by side.
In July and August, we celebrated significant kūtai deployment milestones with Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, laying approximately 11 million kūtai (156 tonnes). These restoration experiments aim to deepen our understanding of site sustainability, density, and survivability – crucial factors in refining our methods. Following deployment, our focus shifts to intensive monitoring, tracking progress and learning as we go. See the science updates later in this report.
This year, we expanded our role in combatting exotic Caulerpa, one of the Gulf’s most pressing threats. With support from BNZ Foundation and Foundation North, we brought marine biosecurity expertise in-house, enhancing our ability to increase knowledge and capabilities with iwi and local communities.
We’ve also given marine technology a big push. We’ve created an introductory ROV course open to all and delivered hands-on ROV training to Tangata Whenua partners. By making this technology accessible, we empower communities to play an active role in ocean care and restoration.
Whakawhanaungatanga remains central to our mahi. In April, we hosted a Revive Our Gulf Summit, sharing updates with project partners and collaborators. In September, with support from the Nature Conservancy Aotearoa New Zealand and the Tindall Foundation, we attended the 2024 Australia and New Zealand Marine Sciences Conference in Hobart. Our kaupapa was proudly showcased in both indigenous and main conference streams. These gatherings deepen knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and instill a shared sense of pride in what we are achieving together.
As our activities have grown, so too has our need for space. This year, we moved into the Newmarket Innovation Precinct, a co-location hub in Newmarket. This new base ensures we are well-equipped to scale our efforts and meet future challenges.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our funding community. E mihi ana ki a koutou – we are deeply grateful for your commitment to this kaupapa. As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude and optimism.
Mauri ora!