Taiao

Protecting our whenua, restoring our wai, strengthening our future.

Muaūpoko Taiao works to protect and restore our natural environment through kaitiakitanga, cultural leadership and practical action. Our kaupapa is to care for the whenua, waterways and taonga species while creating opportunities for our people to learn, lead and contribute.

Our Taiao Rōpū

Our Taiao team works across three interconnected focus areas.

Ahurei Rōpū

Cultural Monitoring & Kaitiakitanga

Ahurei Rōpū ensures the cultural values of Muaūpoko are recognised and protected across our rohe. The team works alongside councils, developers and partner organisations to uphold tikanga and fulfil our responsibilities as kaitiaki.

Current mahi

  • Cultural monitoring on infrastructure and development projects
  • Tangata tiaki responsibilities
  • Protection of wāhi tapu and sites of significance
  • Environmental planning and resource management input
  • Partnerships with agencies including Waka Kotahi and local authorities
  • Ōtaki to North Levin/Te Pae O Tararua

Maara Rōpū

Native Nursery & Restoration

Maara Rōpū grows eco-sourced native plants and leads restoration projects that strengthen biodiversity and improve the health of our waterways and wetlands.

Current mahi

  • Hokio Nursery
  • Wetland restoration
  • Native planting
  • Cultural monitoring
  • Pest and weed management
  • Coastal restoration
  • Environmental partnerships

Papa Rōpū

Land & Coastal Management

Papa Rōpū protects and enhances the whenua through practical environmental management, working with partners to restore ecosystems and improve environmental outcomes.

Current mahi

  • Pest and weed control
  • Coastal restoration
  • Biodiversity protection
  • Waterway restoration
  • Environmental partnerships
  • Employment and training opportunities through environmental projects

Looking Ahead

Our focus is to continue growing Muaūpoko’s environmental capability by:

  • Expand environmental restoration across our rohe.
  • Grow nursery capacity and native planting programmes.
  • Strengthen cultural monitoring capability.
  • Build environmental employment and training opportunities.
  • Continue working with partners to improve the health of our whenua and wai.