WHENUA MAGAZINE | ISSUE 46
Image: (left to right) Josephine Sullivan (Te Rau Whakaihoiho / Kaitiaki Taiao Manager), Jessica Matehuirua White, Luka Kamana Kerehoma (both Te Rau Whakauruora / Kaitiaki Taiao) and Raniera Karena (Te Rau Whakaueue / Kaitiaki Taiao Co-ordinator).
The kaitiaki taiao also apply their bespoke Mouri Engagement Framework – Te Ihoiho Whakakite when engaging with and assessing waterways. “The team use a Taranaki mātauranga Māori lens. It makes working with us different from working somewhere else where you may just do pure ecological restoration,” Puna says. As a kaupapa Māori land organisation PKW always strives to elevate its commitment to kaitiakitanga. The extra resources from the Tupu Rawa project further enabled kaitiaki to gain intimate cultural and physical knowledge of each site. “Because of raupatu our whānau have been disconnected from these spaces. The team knows the gentle, courteous, empowering position they have to take. They engage respectfully and always come away with more knowledge,” she says. Post-project and post-cadetships, the team is consolidating. Jo Sullivan becomes the Te Rau Whakaihoiho / Kaitiaki Taiao Manager, Luka and Matehuirua are Te Rau Whakauruora / Kaitiaki Taiao, and Raniera is the team’s coordinator Te Rau Whakaueue.
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18 HE WHENUA
“We’ve put in tens of thousands of plants, and we’ve absolutely got better at what we do. In 2022 we weren’t too bad, last year the results were super good. This year our prep was on point. It’s going to be the best yet.” Raniera Karena
The promotion could not have come at a better time for Raniera. His son will be two next month and he and his partner have another baby due in February. He looks back on the team’s achievements with enormous satisfaction and pride. “We’ve put in tens of thousands of plants, and we’ve absolutely got better at what we do. In 2022 we weren’t too bad, last year the results were super good. This year our prep was on point. It’s going to be the best yet.” Is he tempted to return to farming? No, especially as he has developed an allergy to cows. “I went out to play with the calves recently and immediately got puffy eyes! No, I see myself staying here in the taiao space. It’s a cool job.”