Team work earns Te Arawa major tohu
Whanau the key to unlocking a variety of solutions for Rotorua lakes and waterways
National organisations are recognising the excellent mahi carried out by the Te Arawa Lakes Trust, with the latest accolade being awarded this week.
TALT'S ongoing biosecurity efforts were recognised at the annual New Zealand Biosecurity Awards, held in Auckland. Te Arawa Lakes Trust won the New Zealand Biosecurity Māori Award for its multi-faceted mātauranga Māori approach to restoring Te Arawa lakes and waterways.
Biosecurity manager William Anaru says the award acknowledges the significant impact made by hapū, iwi and marae communities, kura kaupapa Māori, kura ā iwi and schools, local government, organisations and trusts.
“Our whānau are the key to unlocking solutions for our Rotorua lakes and they are the drivers of kaupapa like the Uwhi, catfish management, aquatic weed management, wetland restoration and the build of a Te Arawa biosecurity workforce.
“The award will help shine an even brighter light on the work being done here and help towards creating more sustainable employment opportunities.”
Biosecurity issues continue to have a significant impact on the Tipuna roto (ancestral lakes) of Te Arawa.
In recent years, Te Arawa Lakes Trust have been at the forefront of initiatives to resolve these issues and create employment for our people.
The team of sworn biosecurity officers has grown to 21 and has conducted more than 5000 boat inspections to limit the spread of weeds between lakes. They also work with 35 local schools around the rohe to eliminate invasive bullhead catfish.
Its wetland restoration mahi, Uwhi trial for the control of aquatic pest weeds, and training of Te Arawa whānau to become scientific divers has cemented TALT'S position as a key player in the region's biosecurity sector, and led to the creation of more than 70 jobs for iwi.
The New Zealand Biosecurity Awards celebrate the businesses, iwi, researchers and community groups that are doing vital work to protect New Zealand's biosecurity.ō
Each categoryōrecognises the complexity of an effective, sustainable biosecurity system.
The biosecurity team is charged with protecting kōura and five other freshwater taonga species which are protected under the Te Arawa Lakes (Fisheries) Bylaw which was introduced in 2020 to help protect and replenish taonga species across Rotoehu, Rotomā, Rotorua, kataina, Rotoiti, kareka, Rerewhakaaitu, Tarawera, Rotomahana, Tikitapu,
Ngāhewa, Tutaeīnanga, Ngāpouri and karo.
In making the award, the Ministry for Primary Industries (Manatū Ahu Matua) said Te Arawa Lakes Trust have been at the forefront of initiatives to resolve the biosecurity issues and create employment for their people.
Invasive fish, mammals and pest weeds both aquatic and land-based have driven taonga like koura, kākahi beds, inanga, koaro, and tuna to the brink of extinction MPI said.
In awarding the top gong to Te Arawa Lakes Trust, MPI said Te Arawa was a "key player in the region's biosecurity sector".