Restoring the Hikurangi Repo: A Safer Journey for Tuna
Summary
Restoring the Hikurangi Repo with fish-friendly gates protects tuna, balances farming needs, and honours its cultural significance.
Restoring the Hikurangi Repo: A Safer Journey for Tuna
The Hikurangi Repo, once the largest wetland in Australasia, holds deep cultural and ecological significance. For generations, it served as a mahinga kai (food source) for local hapū, providing delicacies like tuna (eels) and other traditional foods during seasonal harvests. As Dick Shepherd, Kaumātua of Ngāti Kahu o Torongare, reflects, "The Repo held an abundance of kai." This statement captures the heart of its importance to tangata whenua.
However, over the last century, human intervention drastically altered the landscape. In the early 1900s, settler farmers began draining the wetlands to make way for farming. By the 1970s, the Northland Catchment Commission implemented the Hikurangi Swamp Scheme, a flood management system designed to protect the farmland that had replaced much of the original Repo.
While these efforts supported agriculture, they came at a significant cost to the environment and cultural heritage. The Repo’s once-thriving ecosystems were disrupted, and its role as a vital mahinga kai diminished. Tuna, a taonga species, faced grave threats from the flood management system's pumps, which inadvertently killed thousands of tonnes over decades.
A Turning Point in 2024
Fast forward to 2024, when a significant milestone in restoring the Repo was achieved. Funding from the central government's 3 Waters programme, under the Better Off Funding initiative, enabled the Whangārei District Council to reimagine the flood management system. After completing a comprehensive business case, the council decommissioned one of the seven pump stations at Junction Gate and replaced it with a fish-friendly gravity gate.
This new gate allows migrating fish to pass safely through the flood management system without being harmed by the pumps. For species like tuna, which have long suffered due to these interventions, this change represents a safer and more sustainable future. By prioritising fish passage, the project acknowledges the Repo’s dual role as both a productive agricultural zone and an ecosystem teeming with life.
Balancing Cultural, Environmental, and Agricultural Needs
The Hikurangi Repo today is a vital part of the region’s economy, supporting some of the highest dairy yields in Te Tai Tokerau. The flood management system remains crucial for protecting farms and communities from the risk of flooding. However, the introduction of fish-friendly infrastructure shows that it’s possible to balance these agricultural needs with the ecological and cultural significance of the Repo.
This project also highlights the importance of partnerships between local councils, tangata whenua, and central government. By working together, stakeholders were able to align their goals, ensuring that the upgrade met environmental, cultural, and economic objectives.
Honouring Mātauranga Māori in Modern Solutions
For tangata whenua, the Hikurangi Repo is more than a piece of land - it’s a living entity with its own mauri (life force). Decisions like replacing the Junction Gate pump station honour this perspective, recognising the Repo as a taonga to be cared for rather than merely a resource to be managed.
The project’s success also reflects the growing inclusion of mātauranga Māori (traditional knowledge) in environmental decision-making. By respecting and integrating indigenous perspectives, we can create solutions that are not only effective but also culturally meaningful.
The Path Ahead: Continuing to Restore the Repo
While the replacement of the pump station at Junction Gate is a significant step, it’s just one part of the larger journey to restore the Hikurangi Repo. More work is needed to enhance its health and ensure that it continues to support both its ecosystems and the communities that rely on it.
Tangata whenua remain committed to this kaupapa, advocating for the Repo’s restoration and ensuring that future projects honour its cultural and ecological significance. For organisations like Ngā Kaitiaki o Ngā Wai Māori (NKONWM), this mahi goes hand in hand with their broader mission to protect and enhance the waterways of Te Tai Tokerau.
Why This Matters
The story of the Hikurangi Repo is one of resilience and hope. Despite decades of degradation, the Repo remains a place of immense value - to the environment, to local hapū, and to all who live in the region. Projects like the Junction Gate upgrade demonstrate that by working together, we can make meaningful progress toward restoring these vital ecosystems.
For funders, this project is a clear example of the impact of their contributions. By investing in initiatives like this, they’re not just supporting environmental outcomes - they’re also helping to preserve cultural heritage and create a more sustainable future.
For the general public, this story is a reminder of the interconnectedness of our actions and the environment. Whether it’s through farming, development, or restoration work, the choices we make today will shape the world we leave for future generations.
Conclusion
The replacement of the Junction Gate pump station with a fish-friendly gravity gate is more than a technical upgrade - it’s a symbol of what’s possible when we come together to protect our shared taonga. By balancing the needs of agriculture with the health of our waterways and the values of tangata whenua, we’re paving the way for a future where both people and nature can thrive.
The Hikurangi Repo has long been a place of abundance and life. With continued care and collaboration, it can once again become a thriving mahinga kai, supporting generations to come.
