Wetlands of Aotearoa New Zealand
Wetland rejuvenation endeavor underway
Once covering about 10% of Aotearoa's land, today only a tiny fraction of these magical wetlands remain mostly drained or degraded. Luckily, our society has begun to understand the awesome benefits these ecosystems provide. From saving the planet to healing our people, here's what makes these wetlands so darn important:
Te ao Māori and repo (wetlands)
In traditional Māori culture, everything is connected - living things and non-living, plants and animals, people, and land. Repo, or wetlands, play a vital role in this interconnected world.
The essential groundwork
Before we dive into the fun stuff, such as planting, we need to lay some groundwork. This involves discovering the ecosystem's ecological ancestry, learning about the area's significance to the local community, and healing ... because it's not all about the planting.
Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata. Heal the land, heal the people.
To embark on a restoration project, first, it's essential to mingle with the local hau kāinga/mana whenua (guardians). For centuries, whānau, hapú, and iwi have shared a deep connection with their local repo (wetland), roto (lake), or hāpua (swamp). For many, the wellbeing of the wetland is intrinsically linked with the wellbeing of the people. Connecting with locals can provide priceless knowledge about the area's former plant and animal species.
Building these relationships may take time, but it's worth it. local mana whenua have monitored their environment for eons, possessing the valuable Mātauranga Māori (traditional Māori knowledge).
Healing the repo
Restoring the repo isn't as simple as planting some pretty plants around the water's edge. It's about rejuvenation, healing, and restoring lost connections.
Besides a physical restoration, there are oral histories, old maps, survey records, aerial photographs, and reports that can teach us about past wetland locations and the plant and animal species that once called them home.
Key features of a wetland restoration site
To successfully restore a wetland, first, we need to understand its unique environment:
- The type of wetland (bog, fen, swamp, marsh, or estuarine)
- The dominant vegetation (trees, reeds, sedges, mosses, rare species, and weeds)
- The wildlife (insects, fish, birds, and their presence or absence)
- Water source, inflows, outflows, and water levels, as well as any drains, culverts, or stopbanks
- Soil (peat, mineral, or a mix)
- Built features (buildings, fences, bridges)
- Cultural sites located within or near the wetland
With this information in hand, goals can be set, activities planned, and the restoration process can begin. Since this is a long-term project, an ongoing monitoring program will show changes over time and assess the project's success.
Restoring mauri, taonga, and tikanga
For Māori, wetlands are more than just ecological systems. They serve as taonga (treasures), providing historical, cultural, economic, and spiritual significance. Repo are reservoirs for knowledge, wellbeing, and utilization. They provide habitats and breeding grounds for taonga plants and animals. They offer mahinga kai (traditional food sources) and supply materials for weaving, carving, and rongoā (healing).
Restoring the mauri (life force) of the repo strengthens tikanga (customs) and te reo Māori (the Māori language), reinforcing the mana (importance) of mana whenua (local guardians).
Cross-cultural conversations
Restoration projects are better when they're cultural melting pots. By combining the knowledge of Mātauranga Māori and scientists, innovative approaches emerge to save these precious ecosystems.
The Nature of Science in Aotearoa
Our understanding of decision making has rapidly evolved in recent times. We're now recognizing the importance of not just science, but also cultural and environmental factors in managing the land and sea.
Gathering Forces
Māori are increasingly eager to join forces with researchers and scientists in collaborative wetland restoration efforts. The wisdom of Mātauranga Māori and whakapapa (genealogy) concepts enrich our understanding of ecological issues, while the skills and knowledge of kairangahau (researchers) and scientists contribute technical expertise to restoration projects.
Restoring repo together
Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research has published several resources with a te ao Māori (Māori world view) approach to wetland restoration, such as:
- Te Reo o Te Repo - The Voice of the Wetland - handbook
- Māori values and wetland enhancement - poster
- Māori environmental monitoring: processes and indicators - poster
- Taonga classifications and species - poster
Pūniu River Care uses a te ao Māori approach to wetland restoration, too. Check out their work for inspiration and ideas for your wetland restoration journey!
Acknowledgements
This publication forms the basis of a collection of resources funded by Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research and MBIE's Unlocking Curious Minds initiative.
A heartfelt thank you to the editors and contributors of Te Reo o Te Repo - The Voice of the Wetland for their permission and support to adapt this publication.
For more information, check out resources on New Zealand Landcare Trust's wetlands section, explore the Wetland Restoration: A handbook for New Zealand freshwater systems, and Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research's resources on te ao Māori approaches, such as Te Reo o Te Repo, Māori values and wetland enhancement, Māori environmental monitoring, and Taonga classifications and species.
Science and environmental science are integral components in the restoration of wetlands, such as those found in Aotearoa New Zealand. By collaborating with local Maori communities, traditional knowledge (Matauranga Maori) and modern scientific techniques can be combined to create innovative approaches for the rejuvenation of these vital ecosystems that are significant not only for their environmental benefits but also for their cultural and spiritual importance (lifestyle, home-and-garden).
