Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki, an ancient maritime people with a long history of voyaging, are proud partners in the Revive Our Gulf project, which aims to enhance the mauri (life force) of Tīkapakapa Moana/Te Moananui ō Toi/Hauraki Gulf through green-lipped mussel/kūtai reef restoration.
Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki has four specific priorities which have been applied within the Revive Our Gulf project: For Ngāi Tai By Ngāi Tai; to use Mātauranga Māori-infused scientific practice; provision of meaningful opportunities for Ngāi Tai decendents, and the preservation and celebration of Ngāi Tai mātauranga. These priorities reflect the social and cultural aspects of the ‘Take Taiaomaurikura’ which encourages ecological health through the holistic approach of te Ao Māori.
“Ngāi Tai Tai Ao”
Ngāi Tai are a part of Te Taiao and Te Taiao is Ngāi Tai
Revive Our Gulf closely aligns with the ‘Take Taiaomaurikura’, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki’s vision of restoring the mauri of the Ngāi Tai world. By improving the health of the physical world of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki (i.e. the Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki rohe) and the socio-cultural and spiritual world through its focus on restoring kūtai for the benefit of cultural uses, the project aims to achieve ecological health in a holistic way.
Kūtai are a taonga species and play a vital role in supporting the health of the moana and the people. The improvement of moana health correlates with the health of the people and can help them achieve balance.
Additionally, the kūtai restoration project has been structured to create meaningful learning opportunities for rangatahi of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki.
Kūtai restoration sites have been chosen between Te Motu Ārai-roa (Waiheke Island) and Te Pounui a Peretu (Pounui) by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki kaumātua and rangatahi in collaboration with scientists from the University of Auckland. These sites were selected because they historically had green-lipped mussel beds.
“Ko ō tātou whakapono ngā kaiwehewehe i a tātau.
Ko ō tātau moemoeā me ō tātau pākatokato ngā kaiwhakakotahi i a tātau”
It is our truths that are the actors of separation.
It is our dreams and difficulties that unite us.
Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki acknowledges the founders of the Revive Our Gulf kaupapa and iwi who also have undertaken mussel restoration projects. These groups share a love for Tīkapakapa Moana/Te Moananui ō Toi/Hauraki Gulf and a vision of a thriving, diverse ecosystem for the benefit of all.
Out earlier in the week surveying new potential sites with Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki whānau. Isabella and Cooper joined us as we gave the ROV a good workout. Isabella particularly gifted at flips 😀. We checked out 8 sites in total. One had horse mussels, an eagle ray and a bunch of fish life. Others muddier, but still lots going on (worms and shrimps). #shellfishrestoration #haurakigulfregeneration #haurakigulf
#kūtaitīkapamoana
Frequently Asked Questions
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When will the kūtai deployment begin?
Late 2023.
News
Connected to everything, attached to nothing
Māori believe that humans are connected to the natural world and that the environment is a reflection of our health, wellbeing, connection within ourselves and others. People aren’t above nature; instead, humans and nature are one. Life is about aligning yourself with the natural world through connecting into our ecosystem around us and de-attaching from… Read more »
22 December 2022
Tangata Whenua
Principal Partners & Funders
