Kaipupuri taonga
ki te ao whānui

The taonga we stand for everywhere with everyone

A framework for te taiao from the Mauri Tūhono ki Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui working group

© Danny Rood, Truestock
Night Sky over Castle Point, Wairarapa

He karanga ki te hunga e ngākaunui ana i te taiao

A call to all who care for the natural treasures of the Wellington region

To everyone, everywhere, of Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui.

From Ranginui and Papatūānuku and flowing down through the domains of their many children, mauri sustains all things.

Stream winding through native bush in Tararua Ranges

© Stewart Watson
Stream winding through native bush in Tararua Range

Let’s affirm our heartfelt connection to te taiao.

Let’s acknowledge we are teina within te taiao, and live under the protection of all our tuākana.

Let’s celebrate how our identities are intertwined with their places and rhythms.

Fern koru in Zealandia

© Jason Gunn Burton
Fern koru in Zealandia

We all have gifts we can offer to the task of caring for te taiao.

Let’s open the doors to listen to one another.

Let’s honour Te Tiriti, which underpins our relationships to this land and to each other.

Let’s recognise the special place of the iwi of this land in caring for our taiao as rangatira and kaitiaki.

Tui at Kapiti Island

© Manaaki Barrett
Tūī at Kapiti Island

We call upon all the expertise, skills and gifts we bring to this task. He Mauri Tūhono!

Let’s pool our collective aspirations, knowledge and resources for a shared legacy.

Let’s intertwine our restoration efforts together to weave a korowai.

So that the mauri of te taiao will be sustained for all.

He Mauri Tūhono!

Zealandia Ecosanctuary and Wellington City from air

© Rob Suisted
Zealandia and Wellington City from air

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

He mihi nunui.

Welcome!

We are the team upholding the vision of Mauri Tūhono as we work towards establishing an independent Mauri Tūhono.

Our Pou Ārahi were re-elected by the working group that developed the framework described below. They hold responsibility for guardianship of the Mauri Tūhono movement.

They are supported by a group of kaimahi employed by Greater Wellington Regional Council who have time allocated to their roles to providing a secretariat function.

Learn more about us

Who are we?


A framework for caring for te taiao in the Wellington region

The Mauri Tūhono Working Group created a framework for te taiao called Kaipupuri taonga ki te ao whānui which means ‘the taonga we stand for everywhere with everyone’.

This framework was designed as a way to unite all peoples through connections and relationships within te taiao. It lays out a set of values and ideas that can help us all see how we contribute to a bigger picture, of a flourishing te taiao for everyone . . . everywhere.

Why do we need this framework? We know that te taiao of Te Upoko o te Ika holds us together, supports our wellbeing and our livelihoods, inspires us and is full of so many special places and species. We also know it has suffered from decades of damage and neglect. There are many species and ecosystems that are only just hanging on, and so many more that could be thriving with help and protection. At the same time, there is huge enthusiasm and determination within Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui to restore te taiao, from iwi and hapū, community groups, landowners, places of study, non-government organisations, businesses, and government agencies to name a few.

This effort needs a common vision and a pathway to bring it to life. This is why Kaipupuri taonga ki te ao whānui is conceptualised as a korowai – a finely-woven cloak, weaving together our intentions and mahi to nurture and protect te taiao.

The framework consists of these elements:

  • A vision for the region

  • A story of where we are now

  • Seven intertwining strands of transformation

  • “Ideas” for action to make these shifts happen

We invite you to be part of

this movement

We see a future in Mauri Tūhono as a regional movement for biodiversity, for everyone across Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui.

There are more voices in our region who need to be heard and this is why you are essential!