nAVIGATING THE TAUHARA NGAHAU PROJECT
become a ngahau supporter today.
KOHA ki te KAUPAPA
become a TAUHARA ngahau supporter
Consider becoming a sponsor, donor or supporter by contributing to our seed fund campaign ‘Koha ki te Kaupapa’.
100% of the proceeds from this funding campaign will contribute to supporting our 10-year restoration plan. Under the principle of manaakitanga, the Tauhara Collective grants public access to Tauhara Maunga and the surrounding whenua through privately owned land.
Funds received will contribute to enhancing public safety, improving visitor experiences and support for our conservation initiatives. We need your sponsorship and support to achieve this.
project introduction
destination tauhara maunga
The Taupō destination is regarded as one of Aotearoa, New Zealand’s most important visitor destinations. Tauhara Maunga draws over 30,000 visitors annually. Nestled east of Taupō township, this sacred taonga and landmark reaches 1,088 metres (3,570 ft) above sea level. There is a current 3 km walking track to the summit which offers panoramic views of the Volcanic Plateau. A freshwater spring, ‘Te Kāretu a Ngatoroirangi’, still flows from atop of Tauhara to this day.
the tauhara ngahau project
Tauhara Maunga and the surrounding whenua holds significance as a place of rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. For ngā uri o Tauhara, this sacred site is where Ngātoroiranga, the high priest of Te Arawa canoe and ariki-ancestor of Tūwharetoa climbed when he first came to the region seeking lands for his descendants to live in for generations to come.
For many locals and visitors who climb Tauhara Maunga experience feelings of enjoyment and celebration upon reaching the summit of the maunga —a sentiment reflected in the Māori concept of ‘Ngahau’ which has been gifted to this project ‘Tauhara Ngahau’.
Matariki ki te Maunga 2024
In July 2024, we officially launched the Tauhara Ngahau 10 year restoration project. We had over 1,000 people attend our planting events who helped us plant 7,500 native stems on whenua surrounding whenua of Tauhara Maunga.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to restore and regenerate at least 60 hectares of native afforestation, extending the native cloak ‘korowai' of Tauhara Maunga to the surrounding whenua linking up biodiversity corridors across Taupō.
Over time, we will also improve pubic safety, visitor experiences and create thriving habitats for local wildlife.
our StrategY
our 500 year VISION
TO RESTORE, RECONNECT AND REGENERATE THE WELLBEING OF TAUHARA MAUNGA and the surrounding whenua.
our vALUES
MANAAKITANGA
We practice manaakitanga by fostering connections for people to place in a manner that shows respect and care for our Tupuna Maunga.
whakaNGAHAU
We promote a culture that creates enjoyment and celebration when working inclusively with others towards our restoration and regenerative outcomes.
WHAKAORA
We prioritise the health and wellbeing of Tauhara Maunga and the surrounding whenua above all else.
RESTORE
KIA HAUMANU
Prioritising the health and wellbeing of Tauhara Maunga and the surrounding whenua. We will enhance and restore biodiversity outcomes through our conservation initiatives aimed at protecting habitat and native wildlife.
RECONNECT
KIA MANAAKI
Demonstrating manaakitanga by fostering meaningful connections between people to place. Our initiatives include opportunities for ngā uri o Tauhara to reconnect with their ancestral lands, alongside opportunities for visitors and locals to contribute to the protection and restoration of Tauhara Maunga.
REGENERATE
KiA WHAKAORA AI
Committing to holistic land management practices that integrate regenerative outcomes into agricultural and forestry lands. Our approach promotes sustainability and ecosystem resilience of Tauhara Maunga and the surrounding whenua.
our PROJECT Objectives
RESTORATION IN ACTION
stage 1: opportunities to connect
We invite you to join us at our Matariki ki te Maunga activations on Wednesday 3 and Saturday 6 July by participating in our upcoming planting and outreach events coinciding with Matariki, a time for connection and celebration.
This year, we will start our planting events ‘Whāngai Te Hautapu’ ceremony—an occasion dedicated to revitalising cultural narratives of Matariki a time of celebration. Together, we can make a lasting impact for our taiao starting with our actions today.
stage 2: koha ki te kaupapa funding campaign
We are excited to announce the launch of our online donations campaign ‘Koha ki te kaupapa’, designed to empower visitors to directly support and donate to our short-term conservation and restoration initiatives over the next three years.
Your contribution through our safe and trusted online platform will make a meaningful impact and help with the preservation and enhancement of Tauhara Maunga for generations to come. Join us as a supporter or donor and help us safeguard this taonga for future generations to come.
stage 3: a sustained 10-year restoration plan
The Tauhara Collective is also actively seeking partnerships with local government, corporate entities, and philanthropic organisations to develop a sustainable, long-term funding for our 10 year restoration plan, focusing on project area 1 and 2. Current funding partners include Waikato Regional Council, Love Taupō and the Wairakei Environmental Mitigation Charitable Trust.
stage 3: restoration project implementation
We are progressing projects that enrich and safeguard Tauhara Maunga and the surrounding whenua. Over the next three years, our efforts will focus on the following key initiatives:
Native Afforestation: Introducing new native plantings in retired farming areas and geothermal Significant Natural Areas to restore and enhance biodiversity.
Wildlife Protection: Implementing predator control measures to create safe habitats for taonga species, promoting biodiversity conservation.
Visitor Management: Developing a destination and visitor management plan to support visitor safety and enrich their experience while respecting the cultural significance of Tauhara Maunga.
Project Area 1: geothermal Significant Natural Area Site next to the East Taupō Arterial (ETA)
Project Area 2: In the gully systems of Tauhara Maunga.
Project Benefits
Partnership AND COLLABORATION
We invite partnerships and collaboration opportunities to strengthen our relationships with Māori businesses, local government, corporate, and philanthropic organisations. Current partnerships include Waikato Regional Council Erosion Team, Wairakei Environmental Mitigation Trust, Greening Taupō, Project Tongariro, Trees for Survival and Love Taupō.
Cultural Visibility
We aim to restore cultural visibility and narriatives that enhance connections for ngā uri o Tauhara. In turn, our new manuhiri management plan will help increase visitor awareness and appreciation of Tauhara as a treasured taonga and Tupuna Maunga.
Whānau Employment and Enterprise
We are helping create job opportunities for ngā uri o Tauhara andengaging whānau-based enterprises focused on conservation and environmental enhancement. Current partnerships include He Tipu Nursery and Ngā Mahi Kaha Limited who employee 20 staff who are Tauhara Collective beneficiaries.
Education and Outreach
Our environmental education and outreach events are informed by mātauranga Māori, geothermal science, and ecological restoration expertise. Current partnerships include Kids Greening Taupō, Greening Taupō and Predator 2050 who we are working with to increase connection with local schools and community groups.
Environmental Mitigation
Our restoration projects will support long-term habitat protection, erosion protection and environmental mitigation efforts that positively impact Taupō Moana and the Waikato River. Current partnerships include Wairakei Pastoral as part of the Pueto Pest Management Project which is adjoining whenua to Tauhara Maunga.
Protecting Unique Habitats
Our regeneration initiatives will help protect unique habitat of native flora and fauna species endemic to the area, such as, rare geothermal kānuka, short-tailed bats, and kārearea, on the whenua surrounding Tauhara Maunga. Current partnerships include Waikato Regional Council Biodiversity Team.
MORE ABOUT US
Meet the tauhara collective
our founding partners
Tauhara Ngahau represents the united commitment of the ‘Tauhara Collective’ which is made up of several neighbouring Ahuwhenua land trusts surrounding Tauhara Maunga (Tauhara Middle 15 Trust, Tauhara North Partnership Ltd, Opepe Farm Trust and Opepe Farming Limited Partnership).
He Akina Limited provides the administrative, financial and client support services to the Tauhara Collective to deliver this project.
our project team members
Jan Hania (Governance Project Sponsor)
Te Aue Addison (Project Lead)
David Caselli (Commercial Advisor)
Skay Rangi (He Akina General Manager)
Vernon Rameka (Opepe Farm Trust General Manager)
matariki ki te maunga 2024 supporters
ngā mihi nui to our event sponsors
With the help of our supporters, we have been able to bring the Matariki ki te Maunga events to life. Thank you for believing in our Tauhara Ngahau vision and for standing by us at these events.
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