Iwi Lead Study Tours

 

Indigenous responses to Climate Change, Kaitiakitanga and the Environment

Image by Dr Huhana Smith, Ngati Tukorehe Environmental Leader, 2010

 

Te Iwi o Ngati Tukorehe in association with AwaWhenua present Indigenous responses to Climate Change, Kaitiakitanga and the Environment. Experience first hand a Maori response to climate change, coastal encroachment and sustainable resource management. Learn how Tukorehe took action to quantify, qualify and resist coastal land encroachment and degradation by mapping cultural and natural landscape significance within the coastal Kuku area, Horowhenua region. The study tour examines Tukorehe's role within the collaborative Iwi Ecosystem Services project, which:

• Gathered and spatially mapped the cultural landscape and ecological values of the Ngati Tukorehe area;
• Identified and recorded sites/areas of significance to Ngati Tukorehe, and their associated natural and cultural values;
• Developed Active Management and Protection Plans to integrate mapping information into local and regional planning and decision-making processes;
• Developed a conceptual model of drivers of change.

The tour combines a series of lectures with a day trip to Tukorehe marae and landscape from Wellington by train.

 

Dr Huhana Smith, Ngati Tukorehe, is currently Chairperson for Taiao Raukawa, an environmental resource unit for Ngati Raukawa ki te Tonga.

She is a practising artist, academic and Research Leader of the Ngati Raukawa case study in "Manaaki Taha Moana'. She was previously also involved in the Iwi Ecosystem Services research. Huhana is an active member on Te Iwi o Ngati Tukorehe Trusts (TIONTT) environmental sub-committee and lead researcher/director of the Tukorehe case study within the collaborative Iwi Ecosystem Services project.

Since 1996, Huhana has also supported research towards the implementation of the: Ohau River loop revitalisation programme for Tahamata Incorporation (1997-); Te Hakari Dune Wetland (2000-) and Tikorangi Nursery (2005-) projects. These projects encourage the active protection of cultural landscape, sustainability and enhancement of the dynamic coastal area, its waterways and remaining indigenous biodiversity. Since 2006, Huhana and her partner Richard Anderson (Nga Whenua Rahui) have also developed the Waikokopu stream rehabilitation project. Huhana is part of the Environmental Legal Aid panel for the Ministry for the Environment, which assists Maori and non-Maori organisations with funding for Environment Court cases.

Huhana was previously Senior Curator Maori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

 

Proposed dates: April 2012 and November 2012.

 

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