Trust creates stable base for Te Hoiere restoration
This month’s signing of a trust deed represents a new era for Te Hoiere Restoration Project.
Rising cases of Covid in Marlborough and Nelson meant plans for a celebratory signing at Te Hora Marae at Canvastown were cancelled. Instead, the document was signed at the Marlborough Mayoral Office and then couriered to the Ngāti Kuia office in Nelson.
Mayor John Leggett and Chief Executive Mark Wheeler signed on behalf of Council and Ngāti Kuia General Manager Dave Johnston and Chair Waihaere Mason for the iwi.
Mr Mason, who also co-Chairs the Te Hoiere Project governance group, says forming Te Hoiere Kaitiaki Charitable Trust will cement the project’s credibility.
“A willing community, funding and a well-defined audit and risk profile will be the pillars of success. We now have a stable base to work from, clear direction and a legal obligation to ensure funded work is done,” he said.
Mr Mason is inspired by the way communities with different needs, diverse individuals and local industries are melding into a collective unit to restore Te Hoiere/Pelorus catchments ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea).
“Forest and Bird for example have a different kaupapa to dairy farmers but are working together towards a common goal,” he said.
Mayor Leggett says formalising the trust cements leadership, creates accountability, and ensures the longevity of what he hopes will be an intergenerational project.
“This is a robust partnership between Council, iwi and the community,” he said.
Governance group co-Chair and Sounds Ward Councillor Barbara Faulls was at Te Hora Marae two years ago when then Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced Government funding for the Project.
“It’s been a long path for stakeholders but aims and aspirations remain true,” Mrs Faulls said. “With kaitiakitanga and guardianship from the Trust, Te Hoiere catchments and communities will benefit,” she said.
Council, Ngāti Kuia, Rangitāne o Wairau and the community are represented on Te Hoiere Kaitiaki Charitable Trust.
The project is also supported by DOC, New Zealand Landcare Trust, Fonterra, Forest and Bird, Marlborough Forest Industry Association, Waka Kotahi, Marlborough Roads, OneFortyOne, the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry for Primary Industries.
It aligns with Kotahitanga mō te Taiao which promotes collective action towards enhancing and protecting biodiversity in Te Tauihu, the top of the South Island.
