Pipi

In its 6th effective season of harvesting and distributing kina for eating, the Kelp Gardeners project continued its work via the Waiheke Marine Project in 2024 to ease pressure on seaweed so that it could (hopefully) regenerate. Operating within the same 50m2 test zone as for previous years, the project set out to build on from earlier learnings by filling in knowledge gaps and working with Tangata Whenua to prepare plans for marine restoration in the coming seasons and potentially over a greater coastal area.

Nau mai, haere mai ki te awhi me tautoko hoki, we welcome you to join us for a series of community beach clean ups around Waiheke! Facilitated by our Kairuruku o te takutai /Youth Beach Cleanup Coordinator, Tilde.

Thanks to the youth focused funding awarded by the Waiheke Local Board we have been able to hire a youth coordinator to organise and run a series of beach cleans around Waiheke Island.

It is not possible or practical to survey the entire coastline of Waiheke Island for Kōura, so samples of reef can be surveyed to determine the relative numbers of Kōura present.

By repeating surveys annually (at the same time) it may be determined if the populations are increasing, decreasing, or stable, and whether there is evidence of changes to the abundance of different size classes (including the presence of juveniles).

Marine Monitoring is the defense against, removal of and the eradication of risks and threats posed by invasive pests or diseases to Waiheke’s maritime environment, its economy and its people.

The arrival of Exotic Caulerpa is causing concern.

The project began with Jude’s enthusiasm to promote positive fishing actions. We brainstormed a number of ideas and this one seemed the best to start with as it can engage the whole community not just the fishing community.

We started with a workshop alongside the Beach Ambassadors Programme to create prototype pods to put fishing waste.

In December 2021 this programme was designed in collaboration with the Waiheke Dive & Snorkel Shop. The aim was to get rangatahi and young people into the water around Waiheke Island. Giving them the confidence to enjoy the beautiful Waiheke coastline and the skills to keep themselves and their friends safe while doing so.

Join the Kaupapa Earn your scuba dive ticket with us to participate in regenerative dive actions.

This opportunity will open the door to many protection and regeneration activities within Waiheke’s marine environment.

In March 2022 as part of Seaweek we ran a prototype Kaukau Oranga/Conscious Swim.

In this ocean swim workshop participants were invited to experience the many ways that you are connected to the ocean.

In July/ August 2022, the WMP partnered with Waiheke Adult Learning (WAL) and Tangata Tiriti- Treaty People to bring online and in person workshops on honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Over 45 people took part in Te Tiriti workshops, learning of the power and dynamism of Māori society pre-1840 and finding hope to be effective tangata tiriti moving forward.Description goes here

Information on the projects mahi around Kororā can be viewed here. This includes details from a recent coastline survey which was supported by WWF.

The marine mural situated at the Waiheke Dive Shop in Oneroa has been a collaborative pipi involving youth, mana whenua, local artists and businesses. The kaupapa behind it, being a beautiful reminder to those passing by of the wonders of the moana and the need to protect the taonga (treasured) species and regenerate what we’ve lost.