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.
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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 honor 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.

Preserving Our Land and Waterways for Generations

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). Guided by the wisdom of our tīpuna (ancestors), we strive to heal the taiao (environment) for the well-being of all.

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 prioritize restoring the health of our natural resources, ensuring the repo (wetlands) and waterways thrive as habitats for taonga species like tuna (eel). Guided by the wisdom of our tīpuna (ancestors), we strive to heal the taiao (environment) for the well-being of all.

Pou Kaitiaki

Hapū & Community Working Together

Collaboration is the foundation of our mahi (work). 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 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.

2012

Waitohu | Our Brand | Identity

We formed an incorporated society so that "Ngā Kaitiaki O Ngā Wai Māori" could receive funding.

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.

2022

Pūtea Āwhina | Funding

Ngā Kaitiaki secured funding from New Zealand's Ministry for the Environment (MfE) 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.