Halo Whakatane

The vision, an unfenced sanctuary in the heart of the Eastern Bay of Plenty (Eastern Bay), encompasses the desire to emphasise our ability as a community, to work together.

Te Whakaora I Te Mauri o Te Repo is our collaborative community education programme surrounding Otamakaokao - Awatapu Lagoon which aims to restore the Mauri of the awa. With this project we aim to teach tauira about our wonderful taiao, help them foster a relationship with the lagoon, and with their help we aim to restore the mauri of the repo and the whenua that lies beyond.

Students from a range of schools will work together to immediately improve the environment by removing rubbish and weeds, and planting natives. They gain knowledge about the history of the awa, about our native plants and animals, about the health of our water, and the positive and negative impacts of people on the area as a whole.

These tauira will become the kaitiaki of te taiao. By spending time out in nature they will develop a stronger connection to her, and together we can create positive change.

We are proud to be working with students from James Street School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Oriini ki Ngāti Awa, Trident High School, Whakatāne High School, Whakatāne Intermediate School, Edgecumbe Primary School and Te Kura o Taneatua.

Our Operational Plan highlights three themes necessary to significantly progress our vision:

• Collectively working together within relationships of mutual trust and respect
• Building Rangatahi (youth), skills and capabilities
• Eradicating target pest species to restore and protect native and endemic species
• Local action, led by the community

HALO Whakatāne is driven locally, from the bottom up, and supported by government and other leading organisations

• Development of our strategic outcomes is co-designed by our collective and stakeholders
• Wide participation and genuine relationships with hapū/iwi are integral to the success of this project

Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) will be integrated into project plans and objectives, guided by appropriate mutual agreements. HALO Whakatāne will proactively foster and maintain relationships with hapū and iwi

• A commitment to focus on achieving a thriving indigenous natural environment
• A dedication to equip Rangatahi (youth), with the experience and skills needed for a nature rich future
• The courage to persevere in the absence of certainly