Mauri Compass
Motukari Mauri Compass
We have completed the final round for field work for the motukari mauri compass and work has begun on the final report. We found some beautiful kokopū this time around and a not so good looking tuna.
Mauri Comass – Motukari and Onaero
We have completed the Mahinga kai surveys in the Motukari and Onaero catchments over the past couple of weeks.
Motukari has not been very fruitful thus far and we are looking at changing the indicator species as the waterways are really too small for hīnaki. We were successful in our latest curious minds application to study Koura so that could be a good start. The successful applicants have not yet been publically announced so that infomation is still confidential for now.
The dam site we normally used at the top of the farm has been drained. We did catch two good-sized tuna at the mouth but this was the only site aquatic life was recorded. We are also considering spotlighting as an alternative.
We still consider the exercise a success as we are always improving connectedness, historic knowledge and collecting stories along the way.
Onaero Mauri Compass
Onaero catchment was extremely fruitful. With 43 tuna caught over 8 un-baited nets spread along four sites it was the largest catch from a Mutunga mauri compass exercise to date.
While in Taramoukou setting nets we did a quick reconnaisance side trip to check out the Raupō at this site. There are mulitple large stands of Raupō suitable for harvest. Access is the only obstacle, there is no vehicle access to this site but a semi-easy walk with well established tracks cut by Te Kōhanga Āhuru mostly along a flat valley floor.
Whanau involvement included Sam Maxwell and his moko Cassius, Gary Willison, Te Araroa and Whakaturi joining Natalie and I along with Fern Kumeroa from the Taranaki Regional Council.
Mauri Compass – Urenui and Onaero and Motukari
This year we have completed field surveys for Urenui, Onaero and Motukari. We are having some trouble catching Tuna in the Motukari catchment as the waterways are really too small for our hinaki, we are looking to change indicator species here to perhaps koura if we are able to find any. This is a work in progress but needs to be a priority as this mahi feeds into the CIA for the WWTP.
Onaero and Urenui surveys were both hugely successful with record catches in both catchments and a general feeling of improvement both ecologically and culturally. It’s too early to tell if the big catches are just a fluke but with more whanau participation and a stronger sense of connection I think the cultural value in these surveys is really starting to show. Total catches were 40+ in the Onaero and 80+ in the Urenui. Remembering that these surveys are done with unbaited nets.
Mauri compass Mimitangiatua
We completed our final catchment survey for our mauri compass mahi in March in the Mimitangiatua. While not quite as outstanding as Onaero & Urenui, still a recording-breaking catch of tuna out of the Mimitangiatua catchment with the largest tuna ever caught weighing in at 5.7kg. We have been getting some great whanau participation on these surveys now, it is so good to see our whanau out on the awa. All Tuna we catch look healthy and VERY lively. Bruce took some home for his Dad from Mangahia this time around and we got some nice pics of the insides which all looked nice and healthy.
