Our Tamariki and the Kiwi Release

On Friday 21st May 2021, another Kiwi was released at Pukeiti, and Tuesday 25th May the last Kiwi was released at Maungaraka under the current permit - the culmination of 3 years of planning and collaboration among many stakeholders.

It is confirmed the previous kiwis released over the last couple of weeks are doing very well. There is an ongoing responsibility to continue to protect and monitor them, as well as ensure predator-free controls are in place. The involvement of our tamariki (children) will ensure that there is a positive voice for our birds so they are here in the future.

This photo captures Te Ara Taiao o Kaitake student leadership group after its first launch at Pukeiti. The group received generous support from Steve Francis (GM of Sustainable Taranaki) Doug Hislop (Kaitake Community Board)) Dinnie Morehu (NPDC) Wayne Capper (Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi), Marie-Gregory Hunt (Taranaki Mounga Project), Nga Mahanga a Tairi and Ngāti Tupaea hapū, all our Principals from Ōmata, Ōakura and Coastal Taranaki Schools with supporting teachers and parents.

Six students from Ōmata, Ōakura, and Coastal Taranaki, and Devon Intermediate schools have united as a conservation action group in the Kaitake area. The group’s vision, “is to be a leading local community that uplifts the natural ecology and mauri of Kaitake"

Including our schools and getting the tamariki directly involved instills cultural and environmental awareness to equip our rangatira mo apopo (leaders of tomorrow). The project has empowered the kaitiaki (guardians) by bringing them up close to a kiwi in a native setting helping them to understand, participate, and own their conservation efforts. Not to mention, the schools named the kiwi and chose Te Reo Māori names, showing emphasis on mana (respect) for our taonga (native) species.

“It was a very powerful and moving exercise.” - Tane Manu, Education Coordinator – Te ara Taiao

Ngāti Tupaea are the Hapū from within the tribal area where our kiwi were raised (Rotokare Scenic Reserve) and lead with Karakia as our kiwi departed the reserve to ensure the safe passage on their journey to a new home where Nga Mahanga a Tairi are the Hapū of the Kaitake Rangers. On arrival at Pukeiti, both Ngāti Tupaea and Nga Mahanga a Tairi marked this historic occasion traditionally with the exchange of the Mouri which sits now with Ngāti Tairi people at Ōakura Pa.

Thanks to Taranaki Mounga Project and The Kōhanga Kiwi Trust, there are healthy populations of kiwi to make this happen so relationships can blossom. This multi-stakeholder event has created positive opportunities to get hapū & Iwi together and to continue to uphold these inherited responsibilities.

Ka pai (well done) to all involved in supporting this action group of keen students from the Kaitake rohe (territory). Thank you to Tane Manu, Education Coordinator – TE ARA TAIAO for supplying the photo and story to share with our community.