Pōkākā EcoSanctuary: A Vision for Iwi-led Biodiversity Restoration in Ruapehu
In March 2019, the Ruapehu tribes of Uenuku, Tamakana, and Tamahaki - Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, in collaboration with conservation experts, presented a significant step forward in their vision for environmental restoration. They shared their plans with the Minister of Conservation for the establishment of Pōkākā EcoSanctuary, which would become the first iwi-driven EcoSanctuary in Aotearoa. This initiative was grounded in the traditional values of kaitiakitanga and mātauranga, with the goal of addressing pressing ecological concerns in the Ruapehu region.
The proposed sanctuary, located on ancestral lands in the Erua area near National Park, was seen as a solution to growing biodiversity challenges. The tribes sought to restore and protect the ecological integrity of their whenua, which had suffered from the historical decimation of native forests, particularly due to the milling of the Waimarino sub-alpine forests in the early 20th century. In more recent times, the tribes faced ongoing threats from poor pest management, continued species loss, land use changes, and the increasing impact of tourism.
Aiden Gilbert, spokesperson for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua, which represents the Uenuku, Tamakana, and Tamahaki people, emphasised that the Pōkākā EcoSanctuary would be a pioneering effort. It would be founded on traditional ecological knowledge and Māori values, positioning the tribes as kaitiaki of the land. The project would address the significant challenges of restoring biodiversity while respecting the tribe's historical role as stewards of the land.
“We face great challenges in the restoration of biodiversity on our whenua, but the hapū of Uenuku, Tamakana, and Tamahaki (Te Korowai o Wainuiarua) are deeply committed to taking meaningful steps in addressing these issues,” said Gilbert. “We believe that success will require collaboration with community and conservation organisations, as well as support from central government.”
The tribes were pleased to share their vision with Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage, Crown officials, and conservation advocates from Forest and Bird, Kevin Hague and Kevin Hackwell, who gained a deeper understanding of the tribes' role as kaitiaki. Minister Sage and her team were given the opportunity to visit the site and witness the unique environment that could benefit from the proposed sanctuary. The tribes also emphasised their ongoing commitment to being the guardians of their ancestral lands, much of which had been taken by the Crown and is now managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
A feasibility study had already been completed, outlining a plan for a 200-hectare, pest-free sanctuary set in a rare plateau forest habitat. The proposal envisioned a core-halo model, where a fenced, pest-free core area would be surrounded by a buffer zone that would be intensively managed for pests. This protected sanctuary would become a regional hub for the conservation of rare species, such as the hihi (stitchbird), tieke (saddleback), pekapeka (native bats), and endangered insects, all of which would naturally disperse into surrounding forests, helping to restore the wider ecosystem.
This groundbreaking project marked a critical moment in the ongoing efforts to integrate traditional Māori environmental knowledge with modern conservation science, paving the way for future iwi-led biodiversity initiatives across Aotearoa.
