Wāhine Toa: Restoring wetlands - a 17-year journey of healing

Teresa Aporo - Kohunui marae

“We all have to emotionally, spiritually, and physically reconnect with each other first, and then we will have the space and energy for the moana and its wetlands.”

A few years ago, we had the privilege of collaborating with local iwi—Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne o Wairarapa, Kohunui marae hapū, and Pae Tū Mōkai—to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at restoring Wairarapa Moana. You can learn more about this meaningful project here.

Several inspirational women from Kohunui Marae played a key role in driving that work forward. A film called “Wairarapa Moana Hikoi Wāhine Toa 2021” was made about them. Watch the film here

Teresa Aporo was one of those women. She was a leader and connecter from Kohunui marae. Sadly, she died before seeing the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Restoration Project come to life. She was a gentle (but firm) driving force for re-engaging and reconnecting her whānau to the moana and whenua. She would say that we all have to emotionally, spiritually, and physically reconnect with each other first, and then we will have the space and energy for the moana and its wetlands. Listen to Teresa’s kōrero about the moana in the ‘Our Lakes, Our Future’ remembrance video here

This powerful wāhine and others presented the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands Restoration Project at a community-sharing event, “Pō Whakanuia”. It was a very special moment to hear each person share their unique perspectives and experiences of the moana and the project. And to hear what they planned to do next.

Want to get involved in helping restore our precious wetlands? Click on the infographic below to learn how.

Infographic designed using Freepik and Shutterstock

Some helpful links:

The Wairarapa Moana project website: https://www.waiwetlands.org.nz/project-plans

To help trap pests, find your local group here: https://predatorfreenz.org/get-involved/find-a-group/

Donate directly to existing trapping efforts: https://giveatrap.org.nz

Get involved in Citizen Science: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/citizen_science