The project was officially launched with a blessing and pōwhiri, where partners—including the Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society, Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Incorporated Society, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura Trust, Pūrekireki Marae, Waikato Regional Council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Apakura, and NZ Landcare Trust/Ngā Matapopore Whenua—were gifted a Te Reo Māori name for the ecological corridor. This name, presented by Dr. Tom Roa and the late Haupai Puke, kaumātua of Pūrekireki Marae, is “Taiea te Taiao mā Mangapiko, mai i Maungatautari ki Pirongia ahu ake,” which translates to “Cherish the environment, following the Mangapiko, from Maungatautari to Pirongia, and beyond.” A shortened version of the name, “Taiea Te Taiao,” is used.
This initiative has flourished thanks to funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Freshwater Improvement Fund, which supports two dedicated staff members as part of a five-year project running from June 2021 to June 2026. Project Coordinator Bexie Towle and Mātauranga Māori Facilitator Te Ao te o Rangi Apaapa, both employed by NZ Landcare Trust, are working to link two of the region’s iconic maunga, Maungatautari and Pirongia, through an ecological corridor that follows the waterways—the Mangapiko and Ngāparierua streams—connecting them. The team’s efforts are focused on reconnecting people to culturally significant sites, enhancing native biodiversity through new plantings and improved bush blocks, and implementing pest and weed control measures.
This project proudly embraces co-governance, with a Governance Group composed of representatives from partner organisations overseeing its progress. Together, they are working to create a thriving ecological connection that protects and cherishes the environment while fostering cultural and community engagement.
“This project is already powerfully collaborative, with the following partners already proactively working together – Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society, Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust, Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Incorporated Society, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura Trust, Purekireki Marae, Waikato Regional Council, Waipā District Council, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Apakura.”
– Nardene Berry, Regional Coordinator, NZ Landcare Trust
This project builds on years of dedicated restoration work led by the Maungatautari to Pirongia Ecological Corridor Incorporated Society. Formerly known as the Lower Mangapiko Streamcare Group, the organisation has been active in the lower Mangapiko area since 2006. In late 2020, the group rebranded to reflect its commitment to restoring the entire Mangapiko catchment and supporting broader ecological initiatives.
Collaboration is at the heart of this effort. Mana whenua, local landowners, community care groups, district and regional councils, and industry partners such as Fonterra, DairyNZ, and Open Country are working alongside agencies like QEII and the Department of Conservation. Together, they are enhancing riparian margins, creating wetland habitats, reducing predator populations, and boosting biodiversity.
Over the next decade, the project aims to strengthen iwi connections to the Mangapiko Stream, improve water quality, and support the dispersal of native bird species across the region by restoring and utilising streamside habitats. This is a pivotal moment to create thriving ecosystems for native birds and insects through increased planting efforts and improved weed and pest control. As native birds begin to venture beyond Maungatautari and Pirongia te Aroaro o Kahu, these habitats will play a critical role in their survival and expansion.
This initiative welcomes participation from everyone, regardless of their level of expertise, and offers opportunities to contribute to the protection and growth of native species. By joining those already engaged in this work, you can help native birds and insects flourish in their natural habitats.
For more insights into what native bird populations need to thrive, check out Predator Free NZ’s summary here. For further information, feel free to reach out via email. taieatetaiao@landcare.org.nz
