On 12 February 2025, a Wai Mauri Wānanga at Lake Wahakari brought together Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kao, the wider community, and the Te Aupōuri Environmental Team to focus on the restoration and protection of wai. This kaupapa-driven day of learning and connection highlighted the importance of restoring and sustaining the mauri of waimaori especially in our Dune Lakes such a Wahakari.

With the one day wānanga main focused on wai restoration and surrounding ecosystems, students were engaged in a range of interactive and hands-on rotations, including:

• SHMAK Water Quality Testing – learning to monitor the health of their local waterways using scientific tools and mātauranga Māori.
• Rongoā Māori – exploring traditional rongoā Māori and uses through workshops led by TinaLee Yates/ Hone Baz Bassett/ Kaiwhakapūmau as part of Tuia Māra and Te Hiku Rongoā Māori Collective.
• Pest Control – understanding the role of predator management in ecosystem health.
• Hīnaki Design Testing – students tested hinaki they had designed using natural materials, inspiring innovation, creativity with traditional engineering/ resources.

It was a fantastic turnout, with great community engagement and a common purpose/ goal shared among all participants. Special thanks to organisers Kaio Hooper and Keryn Pivac for their bringing together of the local hāpori to plant the seed of love for the taiao and wai-tiaki with taitamariki of Te Kura o Te Kao, their whanau, kaiako and wider community.

Ngā mihi mutunga kore ki a koutou katoa. Miharo ngā mahi mō te rā nei.