Nau mai ki te whārangi ipurangi o

PUTA TANE,

TANGAR OA KIA PIRI, KIA ITA!

The close connection between the siblings Tāne Mahuta and Tangaroa.

White mānuka is the raw material used to build

the pā auroa. This symbolises the connection,

co-operation and strength within Te Awa Tupua.

WHAT IS TE KOPUKA?

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Te Kōpuka nā Te Awa Tupua (Te Kōpuka) is the Te Awa Tupua strategy group comprising central, regional government, local government and sectorial interests, collaborating under the leadership of hapū and iwi to give effect to the intent of Te Pā Auroa nā Te Awa Tupua (Te Pā Auroa), the Te Awa Tupua framework.

Established in 2019, Te Kōpuka meet regularly to look at what paradigm shift is required to achieve the intent of Te Pā Auroa.

The purpose of Te Kōpuka is to act collaboratively to advance the environmental, social, cultural and economic health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua. The primary function of Te Kōpuka is to develop and approve Te Heke Ngahuru ki Te Awa Tupua (Te Heke Ngahuru). Other functions of Te Kōpuka include:

monitoring the implementation of and reviewing Te Heke Ngahuru;
providing a forum for discussion of issues relating to the health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua; and
exercising any functions that may be delegated to it by a local authority.

The Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Settlement) Act 2017 (the Act), requires Te Heke Ngahuru to identify the issues relevant to the health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua, provide a strategy to deal with those issues; and recommend actions to deal with those issues.

Te Kōpuka is comprised of representatives of persons and organisations with interests in the Whanganui River, including local and central government leaders, environmental advocates, primary industry and tourism representatives, recreational users, and iwi from across the Whanganui River catchment. They are rich and diverse in lived experience, technical knowledge and all uphold a passionate commitment to Te Awa Tupua.

Iwi with interests in Te Awa Tupua worked in a collaborative effort called Te Ripo. Te Ripo facilitates iwi presence required for six of the memberships on Te Kōpuka.

The inaugural meeting of Te Kōpuka was held on 30 May 2019 at Te Ihingarangi Marae, Waimiha. There was unanimous agreement that the group should be led by iwi members of Te Kōpuka; namely Gerrard Albert of Whanganui (Chair) and Hera Smith of Te Atihaunui ā Pāpārangi and Ngāti Maniapoto (Deputy Chair).

MEMBERSHIP OF TE KOPUKA

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Te Ripo: Gerrard Albert (Chair of Te Kōpuka)
Te Ripo: Hera Smith (Deputy Chair of Te Kōpuka)
Four further appointments from Te Ripo
Mayor of Whanganui District: Andrew Tripe
Mayor of Ruapehu District: Weston Kirton
Mayor of Stratford District: Neil Volzke
Horizons Regional Council Chair: Rachel Keedwell
Fish and Game New Zealand: Allen Stancliff
Department of Conservation: Damian Coutts
Genesis Energy Ltd: Tracey Hickman
Tourism interests: Rory Smith
Environmental interests: Keith Beautrais
Recreation interests: Nicole Dryden
Primary Industry interests: Colleen Sheldon

Te Ripo - iwi and hapū representation on Te Kōpuka

Te Ihingarangi: Rangianiwaniwa Pehikino
Ngāti Maniapoto: Hera Smith
Ngāti Maru: Anaru Marshall
Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi: Raukura Waitai
Ngāti Rereahu: Gabriel Moana and Eric Crown
Ngāti Tuwharetoa: Wiari Rauhina and Tyrone (Bubs) Smith
Tamahaki: Pāora Haitana
Ngāti Uenuku: Aiden Gilbert
Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa: Pahia Turia
Whanganui iwi: Gerrard Albert

TE HEKE NGAHURU
KI TE AWA TUPUA

Te Heke Ngahuru - The First Autumn Migration of Eels

Ko ngā heke o te ngahuru he tohu o te hua nui o te tau - ko Puanga kai rau e heke mai ana

The first autumn migration of eels signifies well-stocked storehouses for the winter (the onset of winter being heralded by the rise of the star Puanga)

Te Heke Ngahuru ki Te Awa Tupua is the Te Awa Tupua strategy. The name symbolises the potential of Te Awa Tupua to provide for all if cared for and protected as a living spiritual and physical resource.

The purpose of Te Heke Ngahuru is to provide for the collaboration of persons with interests in the Whanganui River, in order to address and advance the health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua.

Te Heke Ngahuru must—

(a) identify the issues relevant to the health and wellbeing of Te Awa Tupua; and

(b) provide a strategy to deal with those issues; and

(c) recommend actions to deal with those issues.

TOHU

The tohu of Te Kōpuka was designed by Hinepuaraurangi Hawira. The design is an abstract composition of imagery of the pā tuna (eel weir), kōpuka (native white pine) poha hoop, fastened to the frame (tekateka) for cradling pā tuna. The intertwined kōpuka stakes symbolise unity among diverse groups and iwi safeguarding the river. The triangles symbolise the kāhui maunga. The extended arms echo both the imagery of the tupuna who understood the vast expanse and power of nature, as well as efforts to retain equilbrium through expressions of rangatiratanga. The pakati design embodies Te Taurawhiri a Hinengakau. The abstract tukutuku stitches portray the iwi and groups protecting the river.