The Kaimai Mamaku’s native forests are threatened with collapse due to the impacts of pests, diseases and climate change. Since 2021, 12 iwi-hapū-led projects have been established to restore forest health through pest, plant and animal control and kauri disease prevention. More than 70 kaimahi (workers) have been employed and trained, 8,000 bait stations and traps deployed and monitoring programmes set up.
The Trust is co-governed and te ao Māori is integral to governance and operational support. Each project’s unique mātauranga (knowledge) of site whakapapa (genealogy/history) and wairua (spirit) provides the framework for the manaakitanga (care) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship) delivered through restoration activities. Restoration not only applies to the whenua (land) and ngahere (forest), but also the tangata (people) through building capability and capacity to continue the mahi (work) long term.
Ka ora te Whenua, ka ora te tangata.
The Kaimai Mamaku thrives; hence we thrive.
The Project has secured two major funders, but restoration projects require long-term investment that philanthropic support cannot provide. The Trust is driving the development of a biodiversity economy framework for corporate investment in ‘biodiversity shares’. This allows businesses to invest in the restoration of ecosystem services on which all production depends.