Kauri Conservation

About this project

The research involves collaboration between Ngāti Kuri and a team from Ngā Rākau Taketake to identify Māori-led solutions to address myrtle rust and kauri dieback, with a focus on conservation and restoration of taonga; kahikā and kauri.

The work will critically include Ngāti Kuri tikanga and oversight, building iwi capacity, and focusing on short-term conservation measures and long-term restoration goals for the taonga.

Key Contact: Sheridan Watai

Ngāti Kurī, Te Rarawa & Tanui

sheridan@ngatikuri.iwi.nz

Kauri Ora

Kauri Ora is an Iwi Co-Lab/Jobs For Nature initiative involving four Iwi: Ngati Kuri, Te Rarawa, Te Roroa and Ngati Wai.

Mātauranga Māori and Rongoa sourcing and production are key components of the Kauri Ora programme. Under the guidance of Rongoa specialists we produce Rongoa for Kauri to be administered to them as a preventative and therapeutic against Kauri Dieback in conjunction with Western based medicines. Production of the Rongoa involves harvesting kahikatoa and other plants species, and even processing whale bone and oils.

Key mahi also involves the location of Kauri trees, saplings and seedlings. We conduct health assessments of trees, record their locations and sent away soil samples taken from the kauri root areas for testing for the presence of Kauri Dieback disease. We also set up Kauri Dieback wash stations for vehicles and boots to be sprayed and sterilised to neutralise the pathogen.

Under the mantle of Ngāti Kuri, we engage with science and research roopu from Crown Research Institutes, Universities, and other groups. We also engage with public, educational and iwi groups to educate in Kauri Dieback disease and how to prevent its spread. Part of our mahi is to engage in korero with visitors to our Rohe at campgrounds and on tracks to educate them on hygiene protocols to prevent spread of the disease by these manuhiri.

We are involved in pest plant and animal control, stream health assessments, fencing, track maintenance, and the collection of Kauri and other taonga species seed for propagation. One of our remits is to propagate Kauri and carry out experimental planting of kauri seedlings into parts of our whenua where they are now absent.