Harina Rupapera

Introduction:

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Harina Rupapera is a dedicated educator and biosecurity officer, deeply involved in climate change and environmental restoration. Growing up, she did not initially have a strong connection to her Ngāti Rangitihi Taiao, or fully understand her role as a kaitiaki. Growing up in the Marae is very different to being immersed in the environment. 

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The many wānanga with Tohunga Hori Parata, and harvesting Paraoa(Sperm whales) and Tohorā(Humpback whales) has “expanded my consciousness to our esoteric realms, and the ancient thinking rhythms of our Tūpuna” A high calibre range of maramataka experts, (acknowledging Davina Thompson who passed away this year), Jade Kameta, Rereata Makiha and Piripi Lambert have helped to shape her core understandings of her own identity and whakapapa responsibilities. For Harina, kaitiakitanga begins with understanding her place in the world, grounded in her own whakapapa. Her kuia, Rangitihi Kahira, and the legacy of her tūpuna, including Apumoana and Tūhourangi, have guided her journey toward embracing her role as a guardian of her own Maunga Tarawera, Tarawera roto and Te Awa o te Atua, all the way to Te Moana o Toitehuatahi in Matata, where her Whare Tīpuna Rangiaohia and Wharekai Rākauheketara have nurtured and prepared her to be an innovator and change seeker. 

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With a Master's in Applied Indigenous Knowledge, Harina focuses on cultural whale harvesting and Indigenous well-being principles as a base for everything she does. She is also a recipient of the NZ National Science Challenge scholarship and is currently pursuing a PhD in Kūmara sovereignty and security. As well as her role as a biosecurity officer for Te Arawa Lakes Trust and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, she coordinates taiohi and a Ngāti Rangiwewehi and Te Arawa Lakes Trust partnership hapū-led Koaro restoration project, emphasising the integration of mātauranga Māori in freshwater management. Her work is driven by a deep understanding of her whakapapa and a strong commitment to protecting the natural world for future generations.

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Harina’s Wisdom:

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• ‍Importance of empowering local kaitiaki: Harina's experience with Te Arawa Lakes Trust highlights the significance of providing opportunities for local kaitiaki to grow and contribute to environmental management. She noted how the Trust nurtured her passion and capabilities by supporting her aspirations, which enabled her to explore her role as a kaitiaki. This empowerment is crucial for rangatahi as well, as they need similar opportunities to be effective guardians of the environment. “Te Arawa Lakes Trust has enhanced my ability by giving me the opportunity to support and nurture my aspirations.”

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• ‍Connection between taiao and whakapapa: She emphasised that the foundation of freshwater biosecurity lies in recognising the deep connection between tangata whenua and their taiao. For her, taonga species and natural environments are integral to the identity and well-being of hapū and iwi. Freshwater pest management should be viewed from this holistic perspective, where the health of the environment directly impacts the people’s identity and their ability to uphold their kaitiaki responsibilities. “If you focus deeper than a person and you go to the taiao as a taonga species, that’s really where we get all of our ways of knowing.”

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• ‍The role of whakapapa in kaitiakitanga: She believed that the concept of kaitiakitanga is deeply rooted in whakapapa. For her, being a guardian is not simply a title or role but an inherent responsibility passed down through generations. This understanding forms the basis of her environmental work, where her actions as a kaitiaki are driven by her connection to her tūpuna and the land they protected. “Kaitiakitanga starts there. Kaitiaki–being a guardian is actually being just born into this world knowing that’s my job, that’s my responsibility.”

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• ‍Intergenerational kaitiakitanga: Harina’s motivation for environmental protection is grounded in ensuring the future of her tamariki and mokopuna. She views kaitiakitanga as a responsibility to future generations, ensuring that they have the same connection to their natural environment as  she does. This perspective highlights the need for sustainable practices that allow future Māori generations to continue engaging with their whenua and wai “It’s not for us… We want to make sure that the future is ready for our kids, but also that our natural environments are still here for our mokopuna.”

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• ‍The role of mātauranga Māori: Harina’s perspective on freshwater pest management and biosecurity is strongly rooted in mātauranga Māori. She believes that reconnecting with traditional practices and understanding the taiao through whakapapa and tikanga are key to effective environmental restoration. She advocates for an approach where policy and governance not only allow but actively support Māori to lead in freshwater management using their ancestral knowledge. “If they enable the tangata whenua by allowing us to practice our traditions in the way we know how without their interaction or interruption, that would actually be positive.”

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Tauārai - Barriers:

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• ‍Challenges with Institutional Structures and Policy: Harina is critical of the current governance and policy structures around freshwater biosecurity, particularly in relation to the Crown’s role. While acknowledging that there are individuals within the DOC who are doing great work, she expresses frustration with how policies often diminish the role of tangata whenua in environmental management. Harina calls for policy changes that genuinely enable Māori to practice their traditional knowledge and kaitiakitanga without interference. “Unless we can get up to that level of the true governing, policies and enacting of those policies, things aren’t going to change that much because they still hold the power and authority, but we have the mana.”

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• ‍Caring for the Taiao: Harina highlights the importance of genuinely caring for the environment rather than just being empathetic. For her, true kaitiakitanga is about prioritising the needs of the environment over personal interests. She says that without this deep level of care, people are unlikely to take meaningful action to protect the natural world. “For people to be empathetic is one thing, but for them to care is another… If people don’t care, they’re not going to do anything.”

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Harina Recommends:

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• ‍Foster genuine environmental care: Develop initiatives that instil a deep sense of responsibility and care for the environment, moving beyond surface-level empathy.

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• ‍Empower local kaitiaki: Provide financial, institutional, and capacity-building support for kaitiaki, especially rangatahi, to engage in freshwater biosecurity and environmental stewardship.

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• ‍Reconnect whānau with the land: Facilitate programs that help whānau reconnect with their ancestral lands and waterways, empowering them to fulfil their kaitiaki responsibilities.

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• ‍Reform governance and policy: Advocate for policy changes that empower tangata whenua to lead biosecurity efforts, with minimal external interference, respecting mātauranga Māori.

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• ‍Adopt taiao-centred frameworks: Prioritise the protection of taonga species and ecosystems, recognising the environment as integral to Māori cultural identity and well-being.  Encourage biosecurity practices that involve listening to and interpreting environmental signals through mātauranga Māori.

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• ‍Support intergenerational kaitiakitanga: Focus on the long-term sustainability of ecosystems to ensure future generations can connect with and protect their natural environments.

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In Summary:

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Harina stressed the importance of empowering local kaitiaki, especially rangatahi, to lead freshwater biosecurity efforts. Her insights focus on the need for taiao-centred frameworks that honour Te Ao Māori and intergenerational kaitiakitanga. To strengthen collaboration with Māori communities, the Department of Conservation could provide more resources to support local kaitiaki, adopt policies that give tangata whenua greater authority, and ensure environmental care is grounded in mātauranga

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Photo © Te Rawhitiroa Bosch