Latest news with #TeKorowai
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Kaikōura's Bid For World Heritage Status Gathers Momentum
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura is looking to marine research to boost Kaikura's bid for world heritage status. Marine research could provide a catalyst for achieving world heritage status for Kaikōura, community advocates say. Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikōura's marine guardians) first mooted the idea of making a bid for Unesco's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage list 20 years ago. Now Te Korowai secretary Gina Solomon and committee member Mel Skinner want to organise a research hui to find out what is happening and where the gaps are. The Kaikōura District Council has identified the potential for marine research to provide economic benefits for the town. A business case for the future development of South Bay Harbour was completed in July 2022, thanks to funding from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund. It identified Kaikōura as having the potential to become an international hub for marine research and education – if it could get the funding. Chief executive Will Doughty has said the council is keen to attract marine researchers from New Zealand and overseas, but it lacks the funding to support it. He said the council is keen to partner with Government and other agencies to support marine education and research. Mrs Skinner said achieving world heritage status would likely make Kaikōura more attractive as a research destination, and gathering momentum will help to get the bid across the line, she said. ''We need to be able understand what is going on here and to create more of a research focus. ''We don't necessarily need the bricks and mortar now, but with the aim of eventually having the facilities in the future. Ms Solomon said Kaikōura has long been considered ''the world's seabird capital'' by scientists. But locals often had little understanding about their local bird life, she said. ''Often we think of seagulls as a nuisance, but they are an important part of the eco-system. ''Have some targeted research would help to improve our understanding of what we have.'' The University of Canterbury used to have a research facility in Kaikōura, which it was damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. World heritage sites are landmark locations protected by an international treaty administered by Unesco. Kaikōura's world heritage journey began in 2004 when it was first included in a tentative global list of 304 sites. Te Korowai was established by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura in 2005 and successfully lobbied both local and central government for marine protections. The Kaikōura Marine Strategy was published in 2012 and the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act passed into law two years later. The legislation established the Kaikōura Marine Area, which comprises the 10,416 hectare Hikurangi marine reserve, a 4686ha whale sanctuary, five customary management areas, a fur seal sanctuary and restricted fishing areas. The Kaikōura district's international dark sky sanctuary status, obtained in September, also boosted to the district's case. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Kaikōura's Bid For World Heritage Status Gathers Momentum
Marine research could provide a catalyst for achieving world heritage status for Kaikōura, community advocates say. Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura (Kaikōura's marine guardians) first mooted the idea of making a bid for Unesco's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage list 20 years ago. Now Te Korowai secretary Gina Solomon and committee member Mel Skinner want to organise a research hui to find out what is happening and where the gaps are. The Kaikōura District Council has identified the potential for marine research to provide economic benefits for the town. A business case for the future development of South Bay Harbour was completed in July 2022, thanks to funding from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund. It identified Kaikōura as having the potential to become an international hub for marine research and education - if it could get the funding. Chief executive Will Doughty has said the council is keen to attract marine researchers from New Zealand and overseas, but it lacks the funding to support it. He said the council is keen to partner with Government and other agencies to support marine education and research. Mrs Skinner said achieving world heritage status would likely make Kaikōura more attractive as a research destination, and gathering momentum will help to get the bid across the line, she said. ''We need to be able understand what is going on here and to create more of a research focus. ''We don't necessarily need the bricks and mortar now, but with the aim of eventually having the facilities in the future. Ms Solomon said Kaikōura has long been considered ''the world's seabird capital'' by scientists. But locals often had little understanding about their local bird life, she said. ''Often we think of seagulls as a nuisance, but they are an important part of the eco-system. ''Have some targeted research would help to improve our understanding of what we have.'' The University of Canterbury used to have a research facility in Kaikōura, which it was damaged in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. World heritage sites are landmark locations protected by an international treaty administered by Unesco. Kaikōura's world heritage journey began in 2004 when it was first included in a tentative global list of 304 sites. Te Korowai was established by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura in 2005 and successfully lobbied both local and central government for marine protections. The Kaikōura Marine Strategy was published in 2012 and the Kaikōura (Te Tai o Marokura) Marine Management Act passed into law two years later. The legislation established the Kaikōura Marine Area, which comprises the 10,416 hectare Hikurangi marine reserve, a 4686ha whale sanctuary, five customary management areas, a fur seal sanctuary and restricted fishing areas. The Kaikōura district's international dark sky sanctuary status, obtained in September, also boosted to the district's case. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Scoop
Treaty Settlement Renames Iconic Sites In Central North Island
Article – Moana Ellis – Local Democracy Reporter Mountains, a lake and scenic reserves are some of the sites that have been renamed. Tribal place names have been restored for prominent landmarks and places across the central North Island. Eleven name changes to mountains, a lake, scenic reserves and other places have been made following the treaty settlement of iwi collective Te Korowai o Wainuiārua. The changes gazetted by Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa New Zealand Geographic Board include seven new and altered geographic names, including two Crown-protected area names. Four Crown-protected area names have been discontinued. Lake Hawkes, a lake 19km west-northwest of Waimarino, which feeds into Waikauwau Stream, is now Lake Pohoare. Mount Dawson, 24km west-northwest of Waimarino, is now Ōruru Maunga. Tahora, a small site on State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway, 14km north-northeast of Whangamōmona, is now Tahorapāroa, and Tahora Saddle, a pass on the highway about 10km north-northeast of Whangamōmona, is now Tahorapāroa Saddle. The fifth altered name is Mount Humphries in the Matemateaonga Range, 45km east of Stratford, which becomes Whakaihuwaka Maunga. A new Crown-protected area name has been created. A large scenic reserve extending from immediately west of Waimarino, south to Horopito, has been named Ngātokoerua Scenic Reserve. The reserve has been created through the reclassification of Erua Conservation Area and Erua Forest Sanctuary as a scenic reserve. Another Crown-protected area – a scenic reserve on State Highway 43 Forgotten World Highway, about 15km north-northeast of Whangamōmona – has been changed from Tahora Scenic Reserve to Tahorapāroa Scenic Reserve. The names Erua Forest Sanctuary (for a sanctuary area 6km south-southwest of Waimarino), Ngapakihi Scenic Reserve and Raetihi Scenic Reserve (for scenic reserves immediately south of Raetihi), and Pipiriki Scenic Reserve (for a scenic reserve at Pipiriki) have been discontinued. The Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Act 2025 came into effect in March, bringing an end to decades of claims work by the people of Uenuku, Tamakana and Tamahaki (represented collectively as Te Korowai o Wainuiārua) over breaches of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Geographic Board gazetted the changes last week. In December last year, Land Information Minister Chris Penk approved changing the name of National Park Village to Waimarino, following a request by Te Korowai o Wainuiārua researchers. Waimarino is the original Māori name for the area, referring to 'calm waters' pooling on the plains as they leave the mountain. The Geographic Board considered more than 2000 submissions on the proposal.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Extending Kaikōura Pāua Season Needs To Be Based On Research
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter More research is needed before extending Kaikura's pua season, says a Kaikura Marine Guardian. Kaikōura Marine Guardians have raised concerns with the Oceans and Fisheries Minister over the impact of an extended pāua season. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced on April 8 the Kaikōura pāua fishery will open to recreational pāua-gathering for a four-month season from May 1. But Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura secretary Gina Solomon said the Kaikōura Marine Guardians have written to Mr Jones to express their concerns. ''We weren't happy with the decision being made to open for an extended season without doing any research. ''We don't have any data on what impact this opening might have on the fishery.'' The pāua fishery was devastated in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016, leading to the closure of the fishery. It was reopened in 2022 over the summer holiday period, but it was overfished, leading to restricted seasons from April to June since then. The season will run until August 31, with a daily bag limit is three pāua per species from Marfells Beach to Conway River. The minimum size remains at 130mm for blackfoot pāua and 80mm for yellowfoot pāua. Ms Solomon, who is also a Kaikōura Marine Guardian, said she has a simply philosophy for sticking to the limits. ''Te Korowai advocates fishing for a feed, not the freezer. ''We should be treating pāua the same as other seasonal produce and enjoy it fresh and while the season is open.'' An online survey of 368 people conducted by Te Korowai last year found an overwhelming majority believed it was the community's responsibility to protect the pāua fishery and the marine coastline. A majority of respondents said decisions should be based on science. Te Korowai was established in 2005 by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and the wider community to advocate for Kaikōura's marine environment. In a press release, Mr Jones said the May 1 to August 31 season was likely to become standard, subject to ongoing discussions with the Kaikōura Marine Guardians, iwi, and the community. Fisheries New Zealand spokesperson Rob Gear said the agency works closely with the Kaikōura Marine Guardians to manage the pāua fishery. Ongoing surveys have shown the pāua fishery has rebuilt well following the earthquakes, the fisheries management acting director said. Modeling indicated the catch settings are sustainable and will allow the recovery of the fishery to continue, he said. The Hikurangi marine reserve, the Waiopuka (Wakatu Quay) rāhui, three mātaitai, and a taiāpure remain closed to pāua fishing. The Oaro-Haumuri Taiāpure will be open for the season, but has lower daily limits and a bigger minimum size. More information can be found at LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
