In this pānui, we’re proud to share stories that reflect the heart of our kaupapa-uplifting Māori-led solutions in wai, wāhine, and whare. From freshwater biosecurity to cultural healing and youth housing, these voices inspire the change we’re working toward every day.
Honouring Te Ao Māori in Freshwater Biosecurity
Dr. Joanne Clapcott: Advancing Freshwater Health through Science and Mātauranga Māori
Dr. Joanne Clapcott, a freshwater ecologist at Cawthron Institute, has spent over 16 years improving river health and its social and cultural connections. While not directly involved in freshwater pest eradication, her work integrates mātauranga Māori with scientific research for more sustainable outcomes. A member of Ngāti Porou, she works with iwi like Te Aitanga a Mate on freshwater projects, emphasising Māori rights in resource management.
Key Insights from Dr. Clapcott:
📌 Mātauranga Māori & Science: “Every time I think I know something, I learn something new,” she reflects on her journey with Māori knowledge.
📌 Holistic Ecosystem Management: Advocating for broader perspectives on ecosystem health beyond traditional scientific models.
📌 Youth Empowerment: Involving rangatahi in cultural monitoring to develop future environmental leaders.
📌 Vision for Reciprocity: She envisions a world where society lives in a reciprocal relationship with the land, not just extracting from it.
Dr. Clapcott’s Recommendations:
✅ Collaboration: Build co-management frameworks between DOC and Māori communities.
✅ Capacity Building: Provide training and mentorship for Māori in biosecurity.
✅ Integrate Mātauranga Māori: Combine scientific and traditional knowledge to address biosecurity challenges.
✅ Cultural Protocols: Honour tikanga Māori and kaitiakitanga in biosecurity practices.
About This Pānui Series
This is the third of nine pānui from Mapping the Incorporation of Te Ao Māori in the Freshwater Biosecurity System, each spotlighting Māori leadership and solutions in biosecurity.
In this edition, Dr. Clapcott highlights the power of partnerships and the integration of mātauranga Māori and science for a sustainable future.
Read more about Dr. Clapcott's story in the MEA website or download the report here:
He Raukura Wāhine: Holly’s Journey of Reconnection and Reclamation through Whakatō te Kākano
Our Operations Manager, Holly Bidwell, recently completed Whakatō te Kākano at Kurawaka Retreat, a series of four noho marae dedicated to the journey of reconnecting with karanga and the powerful presence of our wāhine atua.
Held in a safe, open, and nurturing space, this wānanga was a time of deep reflection, healing, and growth. Holly shared how Whakatō te Kākano strengthened her understanding of what it means to be Māori, to be wāhine, and to stand proudly in the legacy of our wāhine atua.
The first wānanga unearthed generations of mamae, trauma, and memory, but also revealed the incredible ways we heal as Māori. Through this kaupapa, Holly has continued her journey of strength, connection, and reclamation.
She expressed her gratitude for the beautiful wāhine she shared space with, soul sisters for life and the collective healing that unfolded.
We are proud to walk alongside kaimahi who commit to learning, reflecting, and returning to kaupapa like these. They bring those powerful teachings back into how we care for, uplift, and empower our whānau and hapori.
More Than a Home: Tackling the Urgent Youth Homelessness Crisis in Tāmaki Makaurau in 2025
On 28 March 2025, over 80 organisations, community leaders, and taitamariki gathered in Tāmaki Makaurau to face the reality of youth homelessness head-on. Commissioned by Mā Te Huruhuru and developed by the Manaaki Rangatahi Collective with Making Everything Achievable, this report is a powerful call to action grounded in the voices, dreams, and lived experiences of taitamariki.
Born from a moment where homelessness literally arrived on the doorstep, More Than a Home is a collective response to a crisis that can no longer be ignored. It captures kōrero from the hui, post-it note reflections, and bold visions for a future where all young people are housed, supported, and able to thrive.
The report has three urgent asks for the Government:
👉🏾 A national strategy to end youth homelessness
👉🏾 Immediate policy changes to remove systemic barriers
👉🏾 Increased investment in youth housing and wraparound support
Manaaki Rangatahi is committed to:
🤝🏽 Co-governance with iwi, hapū, and marae
🤝🏽 Taitamariki-led activations and storytelling
🤝🏽 A resource directory for youth & whānau
🤝🏽 Ongoing advocacy & action-focused hui
What we heard was clear:
Taitamariki want homes that are safe, grounded in culture, and connected to whānau and whenua. They seek more than shelter; they seek belonging, healing, and opportunity.
This is a movement, not a moment.
He rangatahi, he anamata.
Our young people are not the problem; they are the solution.
Learn more here, read the full report, and join us in taking meaningful action:
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