Guidelines for Beached Marine Mammals
Marine mammals are of extreme importance to Ngāi Tahu Whānui, playing significant roles in the creation, migration, settlement and resource gathering traditions of the iwi. In particular, whales feature predominately as kaitiaki or taniwha (spiritual guardians) in local legends that link tupuna (ancestors) and their descendants to the coastal environment of Te Wai Pounamu.
Equally important, marine mammals provided valuable resources, such as iwi (bone), rei (ivory), hinu (oil) and kiko (flesh) for a variety of uses including food, medicine, clothing, tools and weapons.
In both these ways, while being more significant in certain areas than others, marine mammals were and are important to the survival and well-being of many Ngāi Tahu hapū and whānau.
Most importantly, the beaching of a marine mammal can still hold immense cultural significance for the particular hapū (sub-tribe) affected by the beaching.
Marine mammals are also important to the Department of Conservation which has a legal responsibility under the Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 and relevant regulations to protect, conserve and manage marine mammals throughout New Zealand.
In recognising the importance of marine mammals to each party, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, on behalf of Ngā Papatipu Rūnanga and the Department of Conservation have been working towards a protocol to better manage beached marine mammals in the Ngāi Tahu Takiwā.
Beached Marine Mammal Protocol
Since a hui held at Takahanga Marae, Kaikōura in 1998, Ngāi Tahu have been advocating to the Department for more active involvement in the management of beached marine mammals due to the cultural significance of these events and in 2002 reached agreement with the Department to develop a tribal protocol under section 281 of the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. This followed futher tribal hui in 1999 and 2001.
Using the example of the protocol developed between Ngāti Wai and the Department, Ngāi Tahu drafted its first protocol, which was presented to the tribal hui in both 1999 and 2001. From feedback a further version was created in 2002, which laid the foundation for the agreement between Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Department to create a protocol under the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998. At this time the Department also agreed to review the Department of Conservation's Marine Mammal Stranding Contingency Plans affecting the Ngāi Tahu takiwā.
As an interim measure, while this protocol is being developed, Ngāi Tahu and Department have developed a guideline for initial contact and notification to ensure a consistent approach is applied across the Ngāi Tahu takiwā and to increase the active involvement of ngā Papatipu Rūnanga in the management of beached marine mammals.
Interim Guidelines for Beached Marine Mammals
In June 2004, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation completed the 'Interim Guidelines for the Initial Notification and Contact between the Department of Conservation and Ngāi Tahu over Beached Marine Mammals'. These guidelines outline the process to be undertaken by Papatipu Rūnanga members and Department Staff when dealing with a beached marine mammal event and are incorporated into the Department's Marine Mammal Stranding Contingency Plans held at each Area Office. The guidelines contain a map of Papatipu Rūnanga locations and a full contact list of mandated rūnanga members and Department staff to assist the management process. This has been a significant step for Ngāi Tahu and the Department in terms of their ongoing treaty-based relationship and is an excellent example of co-management between tangata whenua and the Crown.
If you have any comments or feedback on these guidelines please contact Craig Pauling at Craig.Pauling@ngaitahu.iwi.nz.