OUR PROJECTS
Tinopai Resource Management Unit (TRMU), alongside local kaitiaki and the wider community, has led the restoration of the Puapua Creek wetland to protect and regenerate this vital waterway within the Kaipara catchment. Through fencing, native planting, and ongoing care, the area has transitioned from pasture into a regenerating ecosystem.
This kaupapa connects directly to our freshwater monitoring programme, where kaitiaki and tamariki work together to track water quality and understand the health of the awa. The project blends mātauranga Māori with environmental science, creating a living classroom for the next generation.
The restoration of Puapua Creek is a key step in reducing sediment entering Kaipara Moana and restoring balance between whenua and moana. It provides opportunities for community involvement, education, and local employment, while strengthening kaitiakitanga and long-term stewardship of our taiao.e strengthening kaitiakitanga and long-term stewardship of our taiao.
FRESHWATER MONITORING OF OUR AWA
Tinopai Resource Management Unit (TRMU), alongside our kaitiaki and Tinopai School tamariki, actively monitors the health of our local awa, including Puapua Creek and surrounding waterways within the Kaipara catchment.
Through regular water testing and observation, we track indicators such as water clarity and E. coli levels to better understand the condition of our freshwater systems. This mahi blends mātauranga Māori with environmental science, empowering our community to read the signs of the awa and respond where needed.
This programme is more than monitoring — it is about reconnecting our people to the wai, building knowledge across generations, and ensuring our waterways are safe, healthy, and thriving for the future.
The insights gained support our wider restoration work, helping to reduce sediment and improve the health of Kaipara Moana.Kaipara Moana.
TINOPAI KUTAI RESTORATION PROJECT
Tinopai Resource Management Unit (TRMU), alongside local kaitiaki and the wider community, is leading the restoration of kūtai (green-lipped mussels) within Kaipara Moana. This kaupapa focuses on re-establishing mussel beds at key sites to improve water quality, restore mahinga kai, and strengthen the health of the moana.
Kūtai play a vital role in the ecosystem by naturally filtering the water, helping to reduce sediment and support marine biodiversity. Their decline over time has impacted both the environment and traditional food sources for our people.
This project builds on our land-based restoration work, including wetland planting and freshwater monitoring, recognising the connection between whenua and moana. By combining mātauranga Māori with marine science, TRMU is developing a restoration model grounded in kaitiakitanga and community participation.
Through seeding, monitoring, and ongoing wānanga, we aim to restore balance to Kaipara Moana and create a sustainable, intergenerational legacy for our whānau and future generations.
