He pēpi
Nau mai haere mai ki a Kaitatea Leith Hepi. A second son for Tom and Leiani Hepi, born on 15 February, weighing 6 pound 10 ounces. He is a little brother for Kahurangi and new moko for Jeff and Carol Reardon and Tom and Airini Hepi.
Proud big brother Kahurangi holding his little brother Kaitatea.
Wairau Bar visit
On 13-14 February Department of Conservation board members, Gina Solomon and Amelia Taylor attended a hui in Blenheim. Day two included a site visit to the Wairau Bar, visiting various wāhi tapu sites and historical areas. Richard Bradley and Judith McDonald from Rangitāne explained the history of this area, pointing out specific places where tangata whenua gathered a variety of kai to feed their whānau. To the right of the Wairau Bar you could see Parinui o Whiti overlooking this magnificent piece of paradise.
The visit also included a trip to Grovetown Lagoon, a freshwater wetland just outside Blenheim. The lagoon is being restored to create a healthy habitat for fish and birdlife.
Volunteers have been at the heart of the restoration which is a combined effort between mana whenua, the Grovetown community, Department of Conservation, Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game Council and the NZ Landcare Trust.
The hui focused on history, wāhi tapu sites and mahinga kai.
Hui members gather to learn more about the Wairau Bar.
Visit by His Highness Dr Majid Sultan Al Qassim
The Department of Conservation recently brought His Highness Majid Al Qassim from the United Arab Emirates to visit Takahanga Marae. His Highness and his entourage were not visiting in their royal capacity but to enjoy a cultural experience. It was a pleasure to host them and share our kawa and tikanga with them. They are very passionate about the environment and did notice many similarities between both our cultures.
Launch of Te Korowai Strategy
Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura, the Kaikōura Marine Guardians (Te Korowai) is a group comprising iwi and the community, which was established to provide leadership on management of the marine environment in Kaikōura.
Te Korowai worked closely with the community and interested parties over several years, and then presented the Kaikōura Marine Strategy to the New Zealand government in 2012 for consideration. The strategy is the group’s vision for the protection and sustainable use of the Kaikōura marine environment. It proposes integrated use of a number of marine protection and fisheries mechanisms to manage coastal and marine resources.
The current membership of Te Korowai includes representatives from:
- Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura
- Ngāti Kurī of Ngāi Tahu
- Recreational fishers
- Kaikōura Boating Club
- Local commercial fishers (rock lobster, pāua and inshore finfish)
- Charter fishing operators
- Tourism operators
- The Kaikōura branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Society
The Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Bill was drafted to implement key elements of the strategy. The purpose of the bill is to establish marine protection and sustainable fisheries measures within the Kaikōura marine environment.
These include:
- The creation of a whale sanctuary to protect whales and their habitat by limiting potential risks from seismic survey activities. This also directly benefits the tourism industry.
- A New Zealand fur seal sanctuary at Ōhau Point to limit human disturbance to fur seals while allowing the public to view the colony from a safe distance.
- A new marine reserve that will encompass the Kaikōura canyon area and connect to the coast south of the Kaikōura township.
- Two taiapure fisheries to provide traditional food gathering areas around Kaikōura Peninsula that will allow commercial fishing to continue.
- Three mātaitai reserves where the commercial fishing will be prohibited to protect traditional food gathering areas and allow for recreational fishing.
- An advisory committee and conservation matters in the Kaikōura marine area.
For further information on the Kaikōura Marine Management Bill go to www.doc.govt.nz/kaikoura-marine
Darcia and Raewyn Solomon.
Larnce Wichman Chair of Te Korowai.
Tā Mark Solomon, Chair of Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura.
Kaumātua dinner
Saturday night was a kaumātua dinner and our rangatahi performed kapa haka to entertain our kaumātua ātaahua.
From left Michael Trotter, Cliff Whiting, Trevor Howse, Tā Tipene O’Regan, Darcia Solomon and Tā Mark Solomon.
From left, Hariata Manawatu, Reo Solomon, Haromi Taylor and Hinga Fell.
Banners Across the Sand
On Saturday 15 February approximately 350 Kaikōura residents came together in a peaceful campaign against proposed seismic testing and deep sea oil drilling in the Pegasus basin of the coast of Kaikōura.
Banners Across the Sand was a campaign throughout the South Island. Everyone gathered in the West End car park and marched through town toward the beach by Whale Watch Kaikōura. People brought along their banners and stood once again in unity, with a haka to complete the day. He mahi pai, tātou.
Protestors on the beach.
Kaikōura residents coming together to protest against proposed offshore oil drilling.