First Iwi-led Predator Free 2050 project announced

Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage. Photo: RNZ/Richard Tindiller

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa has welcomed the announcement and funding of its Korehaha Whakahau predator eradication project.

Funding was confirmed today by the Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau at Te Manuka Tutahi Marae in Whakatane.

The $5.6 million-dollar project will be led and delivered by Te Runanga o Ngati Awa. Initial funders include Predator Free 2050 Limited, providing $2.4m through the Provincial Growth Fund, Te Runanga o Ngati Awa, Ngati Awa Group Holdings and Department of Conservation.

The project will benefit from $2.5 million announced today from the Department of Conservation's Jobs for Nature programme, which will also support other, yet-to-be announced Ngāti Awa taiao projects.

Korehaha Whakahau initial aim is to get rid of predators, starting with possums, across a 4,700ha area covering Whakatane and Ohope, benefitting biodiversity and boosting regional development and tourism. Exact boundaries are still being determined at this early stage of the project.

Te Runanga o Ngati Awa Manahautu, Leonie Simpson, says the project will connect Ngati Awa people with the taiao, support kaitiakitanga amongst the Iwi and help them to reach their aspirations to care for and restore the taiao.

'This project is our first Iwi workforce development initiative post COVID-19. We will develop a group of kaimahi with transferable skills that not only support their whanau but also enable kaitiakitanga for our hapu and Ngati Awa now and into the future," says Leonie.

'Our relationships with the taiao will continue beyond the project term and we are aiming for long term outcomes that are intergenerational.”

Ed Chignell Predator Free 2050 Limited Chief Executive says they are excited by the opportunity for new learning as Ngati Awa brings its knowledge and connections to the Predator Free 2050 kaupapa.

"We will be sharing the latest trapping and detection methodologies to enable the project team to permanently remove possums from the project area and build their capacity in predator control operations," says Ed.

The Korehaha Whakahau project covers both private, public and Ngati Awa owned land. The funding will enable Te Runanga o Ngati Awa to employ more people and continue to engage with other landowners to get the operational side of the project underway.

Leonie Simpson says Korehaha Whakahau is an important part of a kete of mahi that Te Runanga o Ngati Awa is developing post Whakaari and Covid 19.

'Our suite of projects, which we have called POUA, encompasses existing and future projects like Kainga (a new visitor hub at the Whakatane Army Hall), a new commercial boat harbour led by a Ngāti Awa Lands Trust, riverside revitalisation and other taiao projects," says Leonie. "POUA represents, Pou whenua (foundation posts) which signify our commitment to our rohe, our people and our future.

"New POUA projects will be announced in the coming months as they are approved.”

Korehaha Whakahau is the first iwi led ‘path finder' project to receive Predator Free 2050 Limited funding.

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