Mahinga Kai Enhancement

Work in this area continues to support, resource and provide advice to mahinga kai enhancement projects increasing the abundance of mahinga kai available to Ngāi Tahu. Financial support is provided to tribally significant mahinga kai species and sites and restoration projects including: the Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body (ex-Crown Islands), Te Waihora, Otago Buff Weka, Kaupapa Kererū, Te Roto o Wairewa, Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau/Sinclair Wetlands, Mataura/Waikawa kanakana protection and mātaitai/taiāpure monitoring tool development. We have been working on new agreements to assist both staff and project managers to manage and prepare reports and projects and seek opportunities for the next financial year.

Examples of activities over the past year include: the Buff Weka project at Lake Wānaka, having continued growth in the weka population and a release of weka onto a mainland site. Considerable preparation has been undertaken to enable Ōtākou Rūnanga and a new trust to take on the ownership and management of Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau/Sinclair Wetlands.

Te Waihora Management Board continues to implement the joint management plan that includes, enhancement and restoration components around the lake including Te Waiomakua, Waikekewai and Ahuriri, monitoring the considerable number of activities impacting (often adversely) on the lake, working with numerous other agencies, matters such as the lake opening process and continuing to progress the commercial users permit process.