Ōhiwa Harbour mussel restoration

Awhi Mai Awhi Atu: Enacting a kaitiakitanga-based approach to Ecosystem based management?

Dr Richard Bulmer (Tidal Research) co-leads the modelling for Sustainable Seas project T1: Awhi Mai Awhi Atu with Prof Kura Paul-Burke, in partnership with Ngāti Awa, the University of Waikato, and MUSA Environmental.

This research brings together mātauranga Māori and science to investigate habitat connectivity as it applies to the unique social, cultural and ecological context of Ōhiwa Harbour. Specifically, this will help better understand the degrading harbour and promote recovery of the once abundant mussel reefs and shellfish of Ōhiwa Harbour.

The key aim is to co-develop and co-produce marine research that actively positions tikanga and mātauranga Māori as a fundamental approach alongside science for present and future generations. 

The other research aims are:

• Ngā tohu o te taiao – Recognising, interpreting and responding to contemporary tohu or environmental signs, signals and indicators of the natural world

• Mahi tahi – Collaborative observation, action and reflection, look to an intergenerational past to enact the present and inform the future

• Kaitiakitanga – Active guardianship, combine learnings from localised mātauranga Māori with science to enact positive, proactive decision-making and management action

This project has been co-developed with hapū/iwi of Ōhiwa harbour. It is supported by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the seven partners of the co-management Ōhiwa Harbour Implementation Forum. This project has arisen from the issues, challenges, actions and aspirations of Māori and is grounded in Whanaungatanga the principle of working in meaningful, genuine collaboration to influence how mātauranga Māori and science principles and practices are translated operationally in ways that recognise cultural values, knowledge systems and opportunities.

Photo description: Mussel lines deployed to support seafloor mussel restoration in Ōhiwa Harbour.

Project status

Project complete - Awhi Mai Awhi Atu formed a component of a larger and ongoing iwi led restoration of shellfish throughout Ōhiwa Harbour.

Next steps

Release of synthesis papers, including:

• Bulmer R. H., Paul-Burke K., Ellis J., Bluett C., O’Brien T., Burke J., Peterson G., Stephenson F. (2024) Weaving indigenous and western ecological knowledge to enhance environmental sustainability. Ocean and Coastal Management, in review.