Introduction
Ngāti Mutunga maintain a strong cultural connection to the moana and coastline of north Taranaki, where coastal landscapes serve as anchors of identity, history, and spiritual significance. Many sites along the cliffs and river mouths such as Pihanga, Maruwehi, and Te Urenui hold deep meaning, including tapu places where tūpuna were cremated. The coastline has long provided abundant kaimoana such as kōura, pāua, kina, kūtae/kuku, pipi, tuatua, and various fish species, harvested from reefs and fishing grounds named and used over generations.
Today, we continue to uphold kaitiakitanga through practices like rāhui, reef‑health monitoring, kororā protection, and environmental assessments using their Mauri Compass framework. Our role also includes active coastal governance of the Onaero and Urenui Reserves, where we work alongside New Plymouth District Council to restore, plan, and protect a culturally significant beachfront area returned in their Treaty settlement.
