Lessons learned from the Rena disaster will be shared during a symposium at Otamarakau Marae starting this weekend.

Organiser Raewyn Bennett says given the large amount of research carried out following the 2011 Rena disaster, many affected locals have never had an opportunity to hear findings.

A symposium sharing research on the Rena is planned for next week.

Hosted by the Te Arawa ki Tai Trust, the symposium will share six peer-reviewed research papers focussing on the recovery phase and after effects of the marine disaster.

The theme of the conference is ‘Whakarong ki a Tangaroa - he tohu'. Raewyn says the theme means that as kaitiaki (guardians) we must listen to Tangaroa in order to stay connected to, and to respect the marine environment.

'Our trust's objectives are to develop kaitiaki and kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and to share knowledge.

'Hopefully following this symposium our people will be better informed and more empowered.”

To officially open the conference a powhiri on Sunday will start at 3pm, with presentations from speakers taking place on the following Monday, from 9am.

Speakers include a mix of academics and local researchers reporting on volunteering, cultural impacts, rock cleaning techniques, assessment, toxicity of marine algae and Matauranga Maori aspects.

'There is so much information out there that we have had many people offer to speak but we couldn't fit them in.”

Raewyn says a particular interest for her will be the Matauranga Maori (Maori knowledge) workshop on Sunday evening.

Raewyn says the workshop aims to 'get a grip on” what matauranga Maori really is and how it can be applied to the Rena clean up and recovery phase.

'There was all this western science being used to assess the environment, by western science standards.

'We have lobbied hard for a matauranga Maori view on restoration, its work in progress and we'll be reporting back on that.”

Raewyn says this is the last week for registrations and the event is three-quarters full.

She is encouraging people to register for the symposium and share in the knowledge.

'By bringing the academics to the pa, we are breaking down the ivory tower, so locals will not feel intimidated about seeking higher education opportunities or asking questions.

'It's a symposium for the people, not for academics to talk to other academics; they'll be talking to the people and any research about Maori communities should be shared with those communities”.

The Whakarongo ki a Tangaroa – he Tohu symposium is at Otamarakau Marae on September 14 and 15.

Registrations close Friday, September 11. Registration costs apply.

For more information email Raewyn Bennett at [email protected]