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The mahi

"The ancestral lands of Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara surround our sacred maunga, Te Horohoroinga o ngā ringa o Kahumatamomoe and have been occupied by our hapū for over five hundred years. Our hapū have lived and travelled between Horohoro and Tihiotonga (from the Pukehangi area back to mamaku, known as the Te Paiaka block) and our kaumatua tell stories of travelling and hunting in the area. Our environmental team has been working on the Horohoro maunga since 2018 building our pest control capacity within the hapū. This new project will be extending our operational area to include conservation on the Te Paiaka block. Restoring the mauri of the forest to maintain a healthy and functioning forest ecosystem, will at a minimum require controlling of possums, rats, mustelids, wallabies, deer and pigs to very low levels, which will create a safer environment for all of our taonga species.

Te Runanga o Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara Charitable Trust is the governance entity that has management oversight for this project."

- Te Whakamaru o Horohoro Project Manager, Kataraina George.

  • Long-tailed pekapeka monitoring

    Long-tailed bat monitoring carried out on Horohoro Maunga.

  • Pest control

    Pest control targeting possums, rodents and mustelids over 1240ha on Horohoro Maunga; and 180 ha on Te Paiaka block. Intesefied rodent control around identified pekapeka roosts.

  • Track lines

    Marking, cutting and maintaining trapping lines over the entire project area.

  • Education and engagement

    Supporting the hapū by hosting wananga and sharing knowledge of the maunga and taonga species

Taonga

Horohoro is home to a number of taonga species. Protecting them is an important driver for Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara.

  • Long-tailed pekapeka

    Pekapeka are the only native land mammal and play a crucial role in pollinating native plants and dispersing seeds.

  • Kererū

    Kererū play a crucial role in New Zealand's ecosystem, as they are important seed dispersers for many native plants.

  • Toutouwai

    The North Island robin is a friendly and trusting bird and is found in both native and exotic forests.

  • Hangehange

    Hangehange has striking yellow flowers and medicinal properties, which have been used by Māori for centuries. Hangehange also provides food and shelter for native wildlife and helps to prevent soil erosion.

    Photo Credit: Phil Bendle

  • Toropapa

    Toropapa (Red Mistletoe) is a parasitic plant species known for its bright red flowers and its important role in the ecosystem. It was also traditionally used by Māori for medicine and dye.

  • Raukawa

    The raukawa (raukaua) plant is symbolic of love. The leaves were infused into the oil of the hīnau tree to make a perfume, worn by Māhinaarangi, a famous East Coast ancestor. It was this scent which allowed her beloved Tūrongo of Waikato to identify her.

  • Kanokano / Manomano

    Kanokano is a fern species known for its shiny fronds and its ability to grow in a variety of habitats, including rock crevices and forest floors. Kanokano provides habitat for many native invertebrate species.

Tīma

tama whariua

Ngāti Kearoa Ngāti Tuara at the Manaaki Kaimai Mamaku Handover Ceremony. Robyn Bargh (Chairperson), Brian Bargh (Volunteer trapper), Kataraina George (Project Manager), Kyle Kiel (Kaimahi).