He tautīnei i te whakakitenga a Mauri Tūhono
Upholding the vision of Mauri Tūhono
© Leon Berard
Moko Kākāriki at Mana Island
He karakia tīmatanga
Our opening invocation
Tukua te wairua, kia rere
Tukua te mauri, ka oho
Ruruku ki a Ranginui
Ruruku ki a Papatūānuku
Ko tēnei te rangi ka ū
Ko tēnei te rangi ka mau
Ko tēnei te rangi ka ruruku
Ko ēnei tauira o te whenua ki te rangi
I te Taiao ki te Arorangi, i rukutia noa atu
Tūturu o whiti whakamaua kia tina! Tina!
Haumi e! Hui e! Taiki e!
Send forth the spiritual essence, so it flows
Send forth the vital life essence, to awaken
Bound together to the sky above
Bound together to the earth below
This is the day, to be sustained
This is the day, to seize hold of
This is the day, to be bound together
These examples are of the land and sky
From the environment to the universal domains
That weave us together, from long ago
Steadfast as a shining light, to behold and be fixed!
Affirmed! By us gathered here! And so it is!
Nā Sharlene Maoate-Davis 2022
Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.
He mihi nunui.
Introducing the Pou Whiria Team
Former Mauri Tūhono ki te Upoko o te Ika Working Group co-chairs Sharlene Maoate-Davis (Ngāti Wehiwehi, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngai Tahu, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa) and Rawiri Smith (Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), stepped into roles as Pou Ārahi of the Mauri Tūhono Pou Whiria project team in February 2024.
They provide strategic leadership and direction as Mauri Tūhono transforms into an independent entity.
Pou Ārahi are supported by the Mauri Tūhono Pou Whiria project team, who are employed by Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Left to right: Stephanie Boxall (Kairuruku, GW), Lana Simmons-Donaldson (Mauri Tūhono Pou Arataki), Ana Nichols (Hautū Matauranga Taiao, GW), Rawiri Smith (Pou Ārahi), Mona-Pauline Mangakahiha-Bajwa (Mauri Tūhono Hononga), Keri Hawkins (Mauri Tūhono Mātauranga Taiao Lead GW), Sharlene Maoate-Davis (Pou Ārahi), Micheline Evans (Pou Whirinaki and Internal Implementation Lead GW), Karyn Burgess (Raunui Tūhono Matua GW).
The Whakapapa of Mauri Tūhono
In 2018, Greater Wellington Regional Council initiated development of a regional biodiversity framework in partnership with mana whenua and the Department of Conservation, to join up biodiversity efforts across the region.
The Mauri Tūhono ki Te Upoko o Te Ika a Māui Working Group was established - a diverse group of thinkers and doers who answered a challenge to propose a framework to transform how we relate to te taiao across the Wellington Region, originally known as Te Upoko o te Ika a Māui.
The group worked hard to pool their wide-ranging experience, knowledge and connections.
Through many connections they considered a diverse range of views and information from outside the group.
The Working Group released a proposed framework for consultation in March/April 2023. The process showed broad support for the framework and Kaipupuri taonga ki te ao whānui was launched in November 2023.
The group stood down in February 2024, with the Co-Chairs stepping into Pou Arahi roles to maintain continuity while implementation planning is underway and the other working group members acting as ambassadors.
Meet our Ambassadors
With publication of Kaipupuri Taonga ki te ao whānui, the previous working group members are now ambassadors for Mauri Tūhono.
Sharlene Maoate-Davis (Co-Chair now Pou Ārahi) - Ngāti Wehiwehi, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Ngai Tahu, Taranaki, Te Ātiawa
Rawiri Smith (Co-Chair now Pou Ārahi) - Kahungunu ki Wairarapa
Paul Blaschke - Independent Environmental Consultant
Zoe Studd - Co-Founder and Director of Mountains to Sea Wellington Trust
Sharli-Jo Solomon - Ngāti Toa Rangatira
Jenny Ngarimu - Taranaki Whānui
Daniela Biaggio - Urban Ecologist Wellington City Council
Sam Ludden - Wairarapa based artist and passionate environmentalist
Andy McKay - Kāpiti Coast District Council ecologist
Steve Bielby - DOC Community Ranger
Ali Caddy - GWRC Biodiversity Team Leader
Te Raukura - Toa Rangatira, Awanuiārangi, Raukawa
© Manaaki Barrett
Kōkako at Kapiti Island
Kei ngā manukura, tēnā koutou
Thank you
Sincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone who has brought this project to this point.
We acknowledge the resilience, determination and passion of all those who have contributed along this first part of the journey.
He Karakia Whakamutunga
Our closing affirmation
Mā te kura taiao
Tēnei kura nui, tēnei kura roa
Kia horahia te mauri ora ki runga i te mata o te whenua
Ka rongo te pō, ka rongo te ao
Whiti, whiti, tau mai te mauri
Haumi e! Hui e! Taiki e!
It is through the determination of the taiao
That this all-encompassing and enduring
Living lifeforce be far reaching across the landscape
Resounding through the night and day
Enlighten and bring forth balance
Gathering people together, as one.
Nā Sharlene Maoate-Davis 2022
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.