Our Achievements
We are proud of the mahi we do to help achieve our goal of protecting the moana taiao that derives from our indigeneity.
2012
Commissioned (and paid) a Study of the efficacy of Cleaning Oil from Rocks using an innovative method employed at Maketu during the Rena Te Arawa clean-up committee. Later, we were reimbursed by the University of Waikato.
2012-14
Mentored a Maketu teenager, Summa Newdick, involving her in the Rena follow-up research with Tania Bramley, while at College and encouraging her to undertake Tertiary studies, where she earned her Diploma of Marine Studies qualification
2013
Under the Ngati Makino mantle, we organised the clean-up of plastic beads at Newdicks Beach, employing locals and teaching them reporting skills, while providing confidence to the team. The team leader later became a teacher's aide at Maketu School.
2012-15
Maintained reporting to Te Arawa in various forums. Attending and presenting updates. Priority to Te Arawa Kaumatua forum.
2013 Commissioned a Mātauranga Māori report regarding the Rena impacts aimed at providing a potential monitoring framework for the Otaiti recovery.
Hosted a Research Report Seminar at Otamarakau marae, all research done on the Te Arawa Coast. About 60 attendees.
2012-2015
Negotiated a Te Arawa compensation of Rena impacts for funds to build a research centre in Maketu. Court imposed conditions on objections from other Te Arawa groups and funds remained with Astrolabe Trust pending any Te Arawa Coastal group fulfilling the Court conditions.
2015
With NPES, (Joey) organised and funded attendance at Rena Environment Court of Te Arawa kaumatua.
2018
Using NPES funding from BOPRC after rediversion appeal, (10,000.00) undertook several wananga to establish a Matauranga Maori framework for monitoring the re-diversion of the Kaituna River into Maketu estuary.
2018-19
Using our funds, we trialled a Kaitiaki training programme on the estuary. Taken over by Laise Harris, whom we contracted. Mentored Laise and Kaitiaki on Māori Mātauranga. Great outcomes.
2019
With Laise Harris, Vision Matauranga funding to monitor the mauri of the estuary post the rediversion. Contracted and mentored a local Waikato Uni Env Science recent undergraduate. The report will be completed on December 22 or Jan 23. This was a collaborative project with the University of Waikato.
2019
With Te Arawa Fisheries Funding. Developed TAKT website and added live video-cam of estuary to record changes to the estuary after rediversion.
2019-21
With Whenua Rahui Kura Matauranga funds, ran rangatahi kaitiaki training programme around the estuary, carried out interviews of kaumatua ref Ongatoro, maintained kaumatua advisory group regular hui, identified monitoring sites in the estuary, trialled and delivered a moana learning programme at Maketu school to pass on matauranga and environmental science.
Purchase equipment for the school programme, eg whitebait nets.
2020, 2021, 2022 TAKT used its own funds earned from contract work to deliver the Maketu school Matauranga programme, 1 full day a week. Funded the end-of-year school trip.
2020
TAKT administers all NPES ki Tai Consents and monitoring work in the WBDC area. Responding to consents from BOPRC for earthworks and water, mostly, managing the cultural monitoring team. And from WBDC. Profits from this work are used by the Trust for charitable purposes after costs associated with monitoring.
2020
Env Court against WBDC global consent for stormwater discharges. Agreed to have NPES monitor stormwater discharges. (Project will be carried out by trainees)
2022
With Cawthron Institute, ran 2 2-day wananga on Paralytic Shellfish poisoning and testing for the same. Hosted Maori Environmental groups and Cawthron Scientists from around the motu. Also involved Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata science groups. Picked up by international press, over 10 million “hits”.
2023
Started application to the Ministry for Environment for a Mana o te Wai programme under an arrangement with Ngati Pikiao Environmental Society. Building capacity for looking after Maketu waterways. MFE grant is successful.
2024
Te Akau ki Papamoa school wins the top prizes at the Rotorua Matauranga Science Fair, based on our TAKT rimurehia programme, 'Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu'.