Project’s journey of restoration, reconnection and resilience

The impressive achievements of Te Hoiere Project are not just statistics but “milestones of progress, markers of hope and symbols of our shared commitment to the future” Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor told attendees at the Project’s recent celebration.

Around 70 people gathered at the Havelock Town Hall on 19 June for official proceedings with many continuing to Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve for a site visit to Ngā Tai Pūrua nursery and a shared lunch as part of the special day designed to pause and reflect on the work of Te Hoiere Project. Those attending the morning session had an opportunity to chat to a few of the groups involved in the restoration project including Top of the South Wood Council and Forest and Bird Bat Recovery Project.

Other speakers included Te Hoiere Kaitiaki Charitable Trust co-chair Barbara Faulls, Department of Conservation (DOC) Operations Manager David Hayes, Marlborough MP Stuart Smith, and Te Hoiere Project Programme Manager Rachel Russell. A mihi whakatau and karakia was delivered by Ruihana Smith to open the day.

Mayor Taylor commented on the “remarkable” outcomes of the past four years including 76.6 kilometres of riparian and wetland fencing completed, 211,000 native plants established, 487 site visits by the Catchment Care Coordinator, 17 dung beetle farm packs subsidised, biodiversity monitoring, predator control, weed management, fish passage improvements and wetland enhancement as well as the establishment of the nursery.

“It has been a journey of restoration, of reconnection, and of resilience. Guided by the Integrated Catchment Enhancement Plan, and supported by a powerful alliance of iwi, community, government, and industry, we have worked not only to improve water quality but to restore the mauri of this entire landscape. This project has been a shining example of what can be achieved through kotahitanga – unity.

“It aligns with national and regional strategies, including Te Mana o te Taiao, the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao strategy, and the Department of Conservation’s Ngā Awa River Restoration Programme. But most importantly, it aligns with the aspirations of Ngāti Kuia and Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau – the tangata whenua who have always held a deep and enduring connection to this place,” Mayor Taylor said.

Trust co-chair Barbara Faulls, speaking on behalf of the Trust including co-chair Waihaere Mason who was unable to attend, said the Project’s success had come about through partnership and collaboration between the many stakeholders and most importantly listening to the landowners and the community.

She acknowledged many of those involved including Ngāti Kuia and Rangitāne, the Kotahitanga Mo Te Taiao Alliance, first Project Manager Heli Wade, current Programme Manager Rachel Russel, Marlborough District Council management and staff, trustees including Barbara Richmond and Susan Foster, the Ministries for Primary Industries and the Environment, DOC, Forest and Bird, catchment coordinator Aubrey Tai, catchment facilitators, educators, nursery staff and the Top of the South Wood Council as well as Fonterra.

“This is all about community and stakeholders. It is about the integrated management of a resource and a taonga with genuine, joint aspirations for the future,” Barbara said.

Department of Conservation’s David Hayes said it was an appropriate time being Matariki to both reflect and have an eye to the future.

He described the Project as “big and audacious” highlighting the Ministry for the Environment had applied the label of ‘exemplar catchment’ to Te Hoiere meaning the role of the Project was to “strive for the best possible outcomes and to be the example for others to follow.”

“The Project has a vision that is hundreds of years ahead, more than a lifetime, spans from the mountains to the sea and overlays a multitude of land uses.

“The road we are on is a long one – potholes will continue to appear, at times we will need to cut new tracks but ultimately what this Project is capable of achieving is worth the journey. Thank you to everyone who is committing time to restore the mauri of Te Hoiere land, waters and coasts,” he said.

Programme Manager Rachel Russell took the opportunity to focus on the Project’s next steps. Three focus areas had been identified going forward - Knowledge, Partnership and Collaboration, Freshwater and Coastal Health and Biodiversity Enhancement – with the aim to build on the relationships and trust already established.

“Whether you are a landowner considering your next environmental project, a business looking to support restoration or simply someone who cares about Te Hoiere – there's a place for you in this work.

“Our success over the next five years won't be measured just in kilometres of fencing or thousands of plants – it will be measured in the strength of our partnerships, the depth of our collective knowledge and the resilience of the ecosystems we're restoring together,” Rachel said.