Waitaha


Ko Otawa te maunga

Ko Raparapa ā Hoe te awa

Ko Hei te tūpuna

Ko Takakōpiri te tangata

Ko te pūtaratara tāhuhu whakairinga korero

Ka tū te ihiihi. Ka tū te wanawana

Tai tū te wehi o te moana o Punga ee e mauri

Ko Waitaha te iwi

Te Arawa te waka

This project will undertake targeted pest control in the forest and thus the protection and preservation of mauri in the central section of the Otanewainuku-Otawa area.

Waitaha’s aspirations are for a sustainable future, avoiding harm to, or the diminishing of, the values of Waitaha and Ngā Tikanga o Waitaha in relation to Otawa within the Otawa Scenic Reserve. A good example of implementing Waitaha values has been the support by Te Kapu O Waitaha to the successful gazetting of Otawa Sanctuary for the protection of the Otawa Frog (Hotchstetter). Waitaha’s values include, the connection of people, all living things and land.

To maintain a healthy and functioning forest ecosystem, will require controlling possums, rats , and mustelids to low levels.

Within the operational plan, Waitaha will complete:

  • Track Lines

    Marking and cutting track lines over an approximately 400 ha block of land in the Otawa area as per the project map.

  • Pest Control

    Undertake ground-based pest control and monitoring biodiversity values to increase long term sustainability of our natural world.

  • Maintaining Trap Lines

    Deploy and maintain traps over an approximately 400 ha block of land in the Otawa area

  • Education and Engagement

    Promote Kaitiakitanga within Waitaha and the wider community.

  • Data

    Input all operational data into a data management system supplied and supported by MKMT.

Conservation Outcomes in Year One

Establish a ground control network which includes all tracks cut and marked for management of possums, rats and stoats over a 400-ha area as per the above map, reducing possum, rats and stoats using best practice methods to levels that enable cultural and biodiversity values to be restored. Establish Key Success Indicators (KSI) based on traditional, and customary best practice specifically Waitaha tikanga, to inform cultural assessment of “mauri” in respect of Te Wao Nui ā Tāne, taking into account also Whakairinga Korero protection and preservation principles.


Project Area


Waitaha Project Area - Map

Succession in Action


Mātāmua ko te taiao, mātāmuri ko te tangata. Ko tā te tuakana mahi he manaaki i te teina, ko tā te teina mahi he rānaki i ngā mate o te tuakana. Te Kapu o Waitaha Taiao Team sharing their knowledge and passion for the taiao.