Kaiwhakatere updates

Mānawatia a Matariki!

June 2025

Kia ora koutou, 

As the seasonal wheel turns toward the winter solstice, I find myself wrapped up in a blanket with a hot cuppa almost every evening, staring at the dark skies as Puanga rises and Rehua descends to make way for those bright little ‘eyes’ - our beloved constellation, Matariki. 

This season always reminds us that the time to turn inward and reflect on what has been, what is, and what will be is upon us. This Matariki, I have been fortunate enough to reflect on what it means to embody leadership and stepping back aboard the Waiheke Marine Project waka after six months away on maternity leave. In Te Puāwaitanga – this new ‘blossoming’ phase of the WMP – it is my honour and privilege to have stepped into the role of kaiwhakatere/navigator of the waka alongside my co-navigator, Leigh Takirau. Together, we sit up in the crows nest, keeping our sights on the horizons ahead, guiding the direction of the WMP as it continues to build momentum after the last 4+ years under the care and guidance of our dear friend and mentor, Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell. 

When I think about leadership and the qualities that make a good leader, I am astutely reminded of my new role in this world since November last year - becoming a māmā. Motherhood is, of course, a whole unique adventure of its own, but while tending and nurturing a fresh human being these past few months, I have often found myself musing about the nature of midwifing systems change through collective responsibility; the very core of everything we strive toward with the WMP. Put simply, it is recognising the value of everyone and making sure we don’t leave anyone behind. Something that has always inspired me deeply about the WMP is the intergenerational nature of the work we do… mothers and their daughters giggling together as they get their wetsuits on and snorkel together around the Kelp Garden site at Enclosure Bay, the numerous high school divers freshly certified with their open water dive licences participating in our annual kōura dive survey… even our incredibly talented young contractors who jump at the opportunity to practice their leadership within the safety of the WMP nest with our pipi projects… all of these actions embody the slow growth of a social ecology that equips our community to participate and thrive amidst uncertainty with longevity. Like any thriving ecosystem, succession is built in from the start; responsibility is shared, as are the joys of living together in place. When I think from this perspective, I can’t help but feel radically optimistic about the future. While there are certainly some gnarly challenges ahead, without the endurance of action/reflection-driven collective hope, apathy takes the driving seat. After all, we can’t protect and regenerate something we don’t feel a part of – it is all connected. So, to me, being a good leader is noticing and tending the conditions upon which everyone can belong and thrive. Turns out it’s not too dissimilar from being a parent eh?

As the project steams on, there is undoubtedly a lot of mahi to get stuck into – our local marine biodiversity continues to be under threat, microplastics inundate our shores, destructive fishing methods continue to be given a carte blanche to operate in the inner Gulf, and the challenges associated with exotic caulerpa still accompany us every day. All parts of the WMP system continue to move forward, encouraging us all to keep our eyes, minds and hearts open in service to Tangaroa and Hinemoana. The health of our oceans is everybody’s responsibility. Our website is updated regularly with news, so be sure to check in and stay up-to-date with the day-to-day happenings of the project.

So, as Matariki rises this year, I hold my baby close as I walk the beaches of Waiheke, holding deep reverence for the bright star ‘eyes’ in the night sky and reflecting on what it really takes for us as place-based earthlings to enact our responsibilities on this astounding planet we call home. May we all feel compelled to work toward being ancestors worth being proud of for the next generations to follow. 

Wishing you all a safe and happy Matariki, e te whānau. Keep swimming, keep reflecting, and keep showing up for each other and Tīkapa Moana. 

Mauri ora,

Alice McSherry

Kaiwhakatere Community ~ Co-Navigator