Preserving Our Future
Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori, an organisation dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for our whenua and wai Māori.
Ko Wai Mātou? | Who Are We?
Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori (NKONWM) are a collective of hapū kaitiaki from the North Island of Aotearoa who care for a shared waterway in the upper Wairua sub catchment.
The NKONWM hapū are from within the Wairua catchment. The hapū are Ngāti Hau on the east coast, across the Hikurangi Repo to Ngāti Kahu o Torongare, moving along the Wairua awa, to te rohe awa o Te Orewai, towards the confluence where the Wairua awa joins the mighty Mangakahia River where the hapū of Poroti , Te Uri Roroi, and the hapū of Korokota, Te Parawhau are located.
Whakatakanga | Our Mission
In the spirit of the karanga (call) from Ngāti Hau, we unite as kaitiaki (guardians) to honour the repo (wetlands) of Hikurangi and confront the loss of our taonga (treasured) tuna (eel).
Since the installation of pump stations between 1968 and 1977, these systems have drained our sacred repo for farmland, at great cost to our waterways and the tuna that have sustained our people for generations.
Our mission is clear: to remove the pumps, restore the mauri (life force) of our wetlands, and protect the habitats that are vital to the survival of tuna and other species.
Through kaitiakitanga (stewardship) and unity among our hapū, we strive to heal these ecosystems and ensure that future generations inherit thriving awa (rivers) and repo, rich with life and cultural significance. By weaving mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with modern science, we work to reverse the damage and restore balance to our taiao (environment). Together, we will bring life back to our waters and safeguard these treasures for generations to come.
Ngā Pou Matua
Pou Taiao
Environmental Stewardship
Our whenua (land) and awa (rivers) hold the mauri (life force) of our communities. At Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori, we prioritise restoring the health of our natural resources, ensuring the repo (wetlands) and waterways thrive as habitats for taonga species like tuna (eel).
Pou Kaitiaki
Hapū & Community Working Together
Collaboration is the foundation of our mahi. We unite hapū and local communities to achieve shared goals of kaitiakitanga (stewardship). Together, through partnerships and collective efforts, we protect the whakapapa (genealogy) of our ecosystems and strengthen the bonds that connect us to the land and each other.
Pou Mokopuna
Future Generations
The decisions we make today shape the world our mokopuna (grandchildren) will inherit. By weaving mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with modern science, we aim to restore the balance of our taiao, ensuring future generations can enjoy abundant waterways, vibrant biodiversity, and strong cultural connections to the whenua.
Our Tohu
The tohu was created to reassure the wider community and strengthen relationships as we navigate diverse spaces - rural and urban alike. It serves as a visual representation of our kaupapa, helping to promote trust, especially with our farming communities.
For our Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori (NKONWM) team, the tohu also provides a sense of safety and identity when working in the hapori (community). Strong branding has played a key role in our success, allowing us to build meaningful connections and ensure our mahi is recognised and respected.
Tuna (Eel)
A tohu of a thriving, healthy freshwater ecosystem.
White Droplet
Represents clean, life-giving water.
Rau (Fern)
The center stem of the fern represents a main water way. While the fronds extending from the center stem, represents tributary systems running into the main waterways. Each part of the fronds represents the different river orders.
Blue Background
Symbolises the purity of our waterways.
Our Tohu
"Te Huarahi hei whakahoki mai i te mauri o ngā awa"
To restore the mauri and mana of our fresh waterways.
Our tohu is more than just a design - it’s a reflection of our commitment to protecting and revitalising our wai. It symbolises the deep connection between our people, our land, and the mauri (life force) of our waterways.
Our Journey So Far
Ko tēnei te rārangi wā, hei tirohanga i ngā mahi whakatutukingia e mātou.
Explore our timeline to discover the key milestones and achievements that have shaped our journey.
1919 - 1935
The Start of the Problem
Once one of the largest wetlands in the southern hemisphere, the Hikurangi repo (Swamp) was drained to create farmland.
1968 - 1977
Devastation
7 Pump Stations were constructed to help with the flooding but also created the devastation to our tuna population.
2008 - 2011
Kaiāwhina | Partners
A collective of hapū met to discuss the decline of tuna populations in the Upper Wairua catchment.
2012
Waitohu | Our Brand | Identity
We formed an incorporated society called "Ngā Kaitiaki O Ngā Wai Māori".
We created partnerships: with Crown Agencies (NIWA, DOC) and tuna experts. NZ$10m was spent on repo research - history, potential future use and feasibility studies.
2018-2019
Kaiāwhina | Partners
Waimā, Waitai, Waiora | Fresh water, Salt water, Spring water - help with water monitoring and checking the well-being of our waterways and taonga species.
2022
Pūtea Āwhina | Funding
Ngā Kaitiaki secured funding from New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment (MfE) -Te Mana o Te Wai to do our mahi (work). This provided us with an office, sampling equipment, vehicles, and opportunities to travel - to learn from others and to share our stories.
2024
Pump Station Replacement
Finally - after 12 years of collaboration! One of the six pump stations was decommissioned and replaced with a fish-friendly gravity gate.
ongoing
Fighting for our tuna
We are still fighting for the tuna and a healthier taiao. Particularly, we are working towards decommissioning another three pumps, so that no more tuna get killed.
Meet Our Team
Get to know the dedicated kaitiaki behind our organisation.
Plan and coordinate weekly workplans, maintaining efficient communication with the team
Upholds sacred traditions and ensures health & safety in work and te taiao.
Passionate for Te Taiao, Chantez integrates Mātauranga Māori to safeguard waterways and Tuna.
Hapū kaitiaki blending tradition with modern water protection & community training.
Health & Safety, water monitoring, and fish surveys and liaising with key stakeholders
GIS technician
Former butcher turned kaitiaki with 2 years’ experience nurturing the future of his hapū.
Kylie manages operations and supports team efficiency in all admin tasks.
New kaitiaki learning under experienced hapū kaitiaki, upholding tikanga.
New kaitiaki learning under experienced hapū kaitiaki, upholding tikanga.
New kaitiaki learning under experienced hapū kaitiaki, upholding tikanga.
Acknowledging All Kaitiaki Before Us
He mihi tūtohunga tēnei ki a rātou, ā mātou hoa mahi o Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori, kua wehe atu ki te pō. Haere rā, e ngā mana, e ngā tapu, ki tua o te ārai, ki te okiokinga mutunga kore. Moe mai, moe mārika i roto i ngā ringa mahana o ngā tini Atua. Ka huri hoki te aro ki te hunga ora - mā koutou e kawe tonu ngā mahi i waiho mai hei taonga mō ngā uri whakaheke.
We honour the memory of our kaitiaki who have passed - those who were integral to the early days of Ngā Kaitiāki o Ngā Wai Māori (NKONWM): Horomona Tipene, Hori Tuhiwai, Alan Halliday, Ben Pitman, and May Tito.
Each of these whanaunga carried mātauranga and whakaaro from their hapū kāinga, shaping the foundation of our journey.
Discover the Mahi Behind the Maps
Explore the Mahi Behind the Maps and See How We’re Protecting Our Waterways. Read Our Stories Today.
Our Partners
We thank the following organisations and groups for their support:
