Orongo wetlands works inspire iwi

RESTORING RESOURCE: The re-created Orongo wetlands located at the base of Te Kuri a Paoa on Nick’s Head Station.

The re-created Orongo wetlands are an inspiration, says Rongowhakaata taiao fieldwork lead Soraya Pohatu after visiting the base of Te Kuri a Paoa on Nick’s Head Station as part of World Wetlands Day.

Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust hosted the World Wetlands Day event to remember the vast array of wetlands that once dominated the Turanga landscape.

There have been many changes to Orongo, with 11 diggers working for months and approximately 275,000 plants introduced, including sedges, grasses, flax and native colonisers.

“Climate change is real and given most of our wetlands in Turanga have been drained for ‘development’, reflection of what used to be and what our future might look like comes into perspective,” said Ms Pohatu.

Awapuni Moana, a significant Rongowhakaata resource, previously located at the mouth of the Waipaoa River was a large coastal lagoon that possessed a dynamic ecosystem and unique morphology, she said.

Awapuni Moana — the name derives from “the continuing outlet being blocked up” — was subject to tidal flows, with fish having an open passage to and from the sea, while the lands provided a ready supply of flax and raupo for building materials and immediate access to the sea.

The surrounding environment was a perfect habitat for birds, kiore and tuna, and a bountiful supply of kaimoana that included kakahi, kuha ngupera (freshwater shellfish) and patiki mohoao (black flounder).

“Awapuni Moana was a prolific source of black pipi, a delicacy which was highly prized, but which has since become all but extinct in Turanganui a Kiwa.”

Rongowhakaata valued the Awapuni due to the large fishing resource the land gave access to.

There was also a bountiful supply of driftwood for fires and stocks of totara logs, which had been buried in the land by natural processes, providing an endless supply of building and carving materials.

In later years this became a tradeable commodity for Rongowhakaata.

Under the Public Works Act, the important tribal site was taken by the Crown in the 1920s and subsequently drained.

“The drainage of Awapuni Moana represents the most obvious despoilment of a wetland in the Gisborne area,” Ms Pohatu said.

“As we came together to celebrate World Wetlands Day, it was an ideal moment to reflect on the value of wetlands.

“Wetlands give life and they play a critical role by continuously re-charging and purifying groundwater sources.

“They are a natural solution to climate change, acting as an important natural buffer in mitigating, forestalling, and adapting to climate change.

“By absorbing and storing carbon, wetlands reduce floods, relieve droughts, minimise storm surges, and protect coastlines.

Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust is dedicated to strengthening the iwi’s commitment to the environment.

“Our aim is to create opportunities for the community to protect our land, waters, coast, flora and fauna through our taiao (environment) initiatives.

“Our natural environment is a key priority for the trust. It is crucial to our identity, well-being and our ongoing ability to keep our traditions and practices alive.”

“Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust would like to give a big thanks to our speakers, Don McLean, Sandy Bull, and Jamie Quirk for sharing their expert knowledge, also to the station manager and farm owner for allowing us access, and to everyone who came out on the day.”