Past Achievements

Commissioned and paid for 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 reimbursed by the University of Waikato. Image Source: Bay of Plenty Times, 16 September 2014

Mentored a Maketu teenager, Summa Newdick, involving her in Rena follow-up research with Tania Bramley while at college, and encouraged her to undertake tertiary studies, where she earned her Diploma of Marine Studies.

Under Ngati Makino mantle, organised clean-up of plastic beads at Newdicks Beach, employing locals, teaching reporting skills, and building confidence. Team leader later became a teacher's aide at Maketu School.

Maintained reporting to Te Arawa in various forums, attending and presenting updates, with priority to Te Arawa Kaumatua forum.

Commissioned a CI report regarding the Rena impacts, aimed at providing a potential monitoring framework for the Otaiti recovery.

Hosted a research report seminar at Otamarakau marae on research done on the Te Arawa Coast, with about 60 attendees.

Negotiated Te Arawa compensation for Rena impacts for funds to build a research centre in Maketu. Court-imposed conditions from objections left funds with Astrolabe Trust pending fulfilment of conditions.

With NPES, organised and funded attendance of Te Arawa kaumatua at the Rena Environment Court.

Using NPES funding from BOPRC after rediversion appeal ($10,000), undertook several wananga to establish a Mātauranga Māori framework for monitoring the re-diversion of the Kaituna River into Maketu estuary.

Using own funds, trialled a Kaitiaki training programme on the estuary, later taken over by Laise Harris. Mentored Laise and Kaitiaki on Māori Mātauranga with great outcomes.

With Laise Harris, secured Vision Mātauranga funding to monitor estuary mauri post rediversion. Mentored a recent Waikato Uni Env Science graduate. Collaborative project with University of Waikato.

With Te Arawa Fisheries funding, developed TAKT website and added live video-cam to record estuary changes post rediversion.

With Whenua Rahui Kura Mātauranga funds, ran a rangatahi kaitiaki training programme around the estuary. Carried out interviews of kaumatua regarding Ongatoro, maintained regular hui with the kaumatua advisory group, and identified monitoring sites in the estuary. Trialled and delivered a moana learning programme at Maketu School to pass on mātauranga and environmental science.

Purchased equipment for the school programme, e.g., whitebait nets.

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, TAKT used its own funds earned from contract work to deliver the Maketu School Mātauranga programme one full day a week, and funded the end-of-year school trip.

TAKT administers NPES ki Tai consents and monitoring work in WBDC area, managing cultural monitoring and using profits for charitable purposes.

Environment Court case against WBDC global consent for stormwater discharges. Agreement for NPES to monitor discharges, carried out by trainees.

With Cawthron Institute, ran wananga on paralytic shellfish poisoning, hosting Māori environmental groups and scientists. Gained international media coverage.

Started application to Ministry for Environment for Mana o te Wai programme with Ngati Pikiao Environmental Society. Successful MFE grant.

Te Akau ki Papamoa school won top prizes at Rotorua Mātauranga Science Fair with TAKT rimurehia programme 'Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu'.