Ngā Kaupapa

River protection, river wellbeing

We proudly embrace our role as kaitiaki of the wai and whenua. As manawhenua, we actively work with everyone who wishes to mahi in our rohe. We uphold sustainable and culturally respectful karokaro taonga (gravel extraction) practices through a tikanga-led approach. This involves karakia of the wai and whenua, karakia of the people working the awa, kōrerorero with local businesses and community groups, and active monitoring of the mahi in and around the awa.

​Waikeke stream restoration project

Waikeke holds spiritual significance to Ngāti Ira as the waters are a source of healing and restoration to our people.  So the revitalisation of this very important koawa is essential to the orange of not just the koawa itself, but the people it cares and protects.

The Waikeke Restoration project is dedicated to revitalising the Waikeke stream by improving water quality, controlling erosion, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring mahinga kai sites. This initiative addresses pollution and erosion, supports local tangata whenua in their kaitiakitanga, and involves the community through education and training. Our goals are to ensure that have cleaner waters, stable waterbanks, thriving habitats, and a healthier environment for both the hapū community, the stream and the river Waikeke flows into.

The Kai Sovereignty project

This project is dedicated to fostering self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship by working alongside and educating the marae and hapū community on planting, growing, and maintaining our own maara kai. This initiative includes raising our own pigs, chickens, fruit trees, and gardens, promoting a sustainable and holistic approach to food sovereignty. By connecting with Papatuanuku and working hard together, we aim to strengthen our bond with the land and ensure a resilient and thriving ecosystem. This project is carried out as a partner project with the Kura Native Restoration project, enhancing our collective efforts to protect and restore our natural environment.

Te Mahoe Stream Restoration

This project aims to restore the stream's natural state by improving water quality, controlling erosion, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring mahinga kai sites. The project involves community engagement, education, and training.   We seek to outcomes that enable better water quality, reduced erosion, restored habitats, and increased community involvement. Our funding ensures the project's success and long-term benefits for not just Te Mahoe, but also the Waioweka Pā community that surrounds it.

The Kura Native Restoration project

This project is dedicated to reducing the presence of pest plants and replacing them with native species. This initiative involves engaging tamariki and taiohi in environmental activities (mahi taiao) to foster a sense of stewardship and connection to the land. By targeting invasive species such as woolly nightshade, walnut trees, and privet, we aim to protect and restore the natural environment around the kura.

This project is targeted to the waterbanks that trail the spiritual waters of Waikeke.

Cleaning the Waioweka Gorge Highway

Ngāti Ira uri from near and far regularly gather at Ōpeke as kaitiaki of the land and water.  The goal is to clean the breadth of the gorge of the litter discarded from cars. In March 2025, the first of many cleanups started from northernmost border of the Ngāti Ira whenua, Waitangi to its southern-most at the edge of Tūranga.  All of our people positioned themselves along the highway, following the curves and bends of the awa wearing hi-vis gear and gloves, collecting litter with their trailers and trucks.  This effort aimed to restore the whenua and protect the awa from pollution.