Wānanga

In September 2024, we ran a wānanga at Waimārama, Hawkes Bay. ‘Wai Connection – Tatai Ki Te Wai’ is a Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) community catchment group engagement and support project, funded largely by the Ministry for the Environment’s essential freshwater fund and delivered through a range of partners or provider organisations nationally. Thank you to the hau kāinga of Waimārama for their welcome and sharing their beautiful space. Sustainable Hawkes Bay - for hosting us, use of vehicles and the amazing mahi put into planning. Hapī for keeping us well fed, Peak House for the social evening, Hinetemoa Marae & Waimārama School for the use of their facilities and to Whaea T for keeping the good vibes going. Photography and videography by Lorna Doogan. Additional media by Nicky T. Music ‘Divergence’ by Filo Starquez. This Wai Connection training was made possible through funding from the Ministry for the Environment (MfE).

Our annual Mountains to Sea Wānanga was hosted at Ngunguru Marae, Northland in partnership with Te Waiariki, Ngāti Kororā, Ngāti Takapari Hapū Iwi Trust on the 19th-21st of April, 2024. The aim of our wānanga was to provide an inspirational professional development and networking opportunity for all those involved or interested in freshwater and marine conservation.  The theme for our 2024 event was “Connecting Communities - Hononga hapori” which resonates strongly with the mahi Mountains to Sea delivers alongside many others. This theme is also core to our current national Tatai ki te wai - Wai Connection project co-funded through the Ministry of the  Environment’s Essential Freshwater Fund (EFF). This project aims to empower and connect communities within catchment areas enabling collaboration.  www.mountainstosea.org.nz/post/mountains-to-sea-wananga-2024

Thanks to everyone that participated in our annual national Mountains to Sea wānanga in October 2022. What a treat to come together in the rohe of Patuharakeke at Takahiwai Marae to explore the theme of Te Kotahitanga. Highlights included: 🌱Our amazing keynote speakers; Rereata Makiha, Sheridan Waitai, Eimear Egan and Dr. Irene Middleton 🌱The field trips to the Whangārei Harbour Marine Reserve, Ruakākā River īnanga spawning habitat restoration project site and NIWA Hatchery. 🌱Uku/clay kotahitanga workshop 🌱Social evening with quiz night and DJ Koha 🌱Exploring the Poor Knights Islands and Waipū River tributaries during coordinator training and finding a Hochstetters Frog! Common themes that emerged were centered around the power of kotahitanga/unity. It's vital to be open and make space for multiple perspectives through creating supportive and safe spaces for honest korero, and recognizing that different perspectives are an opportunity, not a threat. During our workshop we worked together to come up with a whakatauki: Mā te ta me te hi kia mauri tū, kia mauri rere, ki ngā ao e rua, hei whakakotahi ai i a tātou From the blend of this and that we become one, Take in the ever flowing life force, review the two worlds, through two contexts, two perspectives, to unite us. Proceedings can be viewed on our website www.whitebaitconnection.co.nz Video clip and images by 📸Sophie Journee Huge thank you to our funders Foundation North, 2plus, Ministry for the Environment and to our partners and collaborators Experiencing Marine Reserves - EMR, Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board, NIWA, Oceandiversity Sea Adventures, Francida, Maria Lawton, The Porthouse Bar and Eatery, DJ Koha, Wednesday Davis (Quiz Master extraordinaire), Davina Duke and Hera Johns (Uku Shack), Luana Pirihi, Ruakākā Scout Den, Dive! Tutukaka, Tasman Bay Guardians, He Awa Ora, He Tai Ora, Healthy Rivers, Living Sea, Mountains to Sea Wellington, EOS Ecology Participatory Science & Engagement, Northland Regional Council,Carolyn Smith, MTF Finance, NZAEE. #kotahitanga #mountainstoseawhanau #patuharakeke #mountainstosea #catchmentrestoration #marineandfreshwaterlove #goodthingsaregoingtohappen #thebestisyettocome #EMRTeKuraMoana #whitebaitconnection

The purpose is to provide an inspirational professional development and networking opportunity for all those involved or interested in freshwater and marine conservation. Usually held in April, in Northland every second year and other parts of NZ every other year. Our theme changes each wananga. Our theme for 2021 was 'partnerships' and was held at Kennedy Bay, Coromandel .

Our video from the 13th Mountains to Sea Wānanga is now live! The Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) brought its 13th annual Mountains to Sea National Wānanga/Conference to the Far North from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th April. The event was based at Waimanoni Marae where a collective of 60 passionate conservationists, community members, iwi representatives, scientists and other organisations shared stories and discussed the effectiveness of existing conservation initiatives, and the potential for future collaborations. Huge thank you for the support of the Lottery Grants Board, MTF Whangārei and 2 Plus for making this wānanga possible. Filmed and edited by Lorna Doogan. Music 'Rude Mechanicals' by Pitch Black.

Turangāpeke wharenui of Te Āwhina Marae was our home for the Mountains to Sea Marine and Freshwater Wānanga. With the theme of succession we shared ideas around education and kaitiakitanga in our awa and moana. This event was co-organised by Experiencing Marine Reserves - EMR and Whitebait Connection- Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. Thank you to Ngāti Rārua and to Te Ātiawa for supporting this wānanga. This event is possible thanks to the Department of Conservation Community Fund, The Tindall Foundation and 2 Plus. Beautiful catering from Kai Waka Cafe and music from the Steve Mitchell Trio at the Park Cafe. Filmed and edited by Lorna Doogan. Music 'Matariki' by Allana Goldsmith Music

Experiencing Marine Reserves ran our annual Mountains to Sea Wānanga in April this year in conjunction with Whitebait Connection- Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust​. This event wouldn't have been possible without the support of Curious Minds​, Department of Conservation​ Community Fund, The Tindall Foundation​ and 2 Plus . Thanks to the Omaha Marae Committee for the amazing venue. To Nutritious and Delicious for the catering. To Rent-A-Cheepy for the transport. To Goat Island Marine Discovery Centre​ for the fantastic social event venue and to the amazing band The Nukes​ for getting us dancing! Music is 'Lemon Tree' by The Nukes www.thenukes.co.nz Video edited by Lorna Doogan​, footage from Lorna Doogan, Samara Nicholas​ and Jordie MacDonald​. Still images by Te Kawa Robb​.

Inspiring place and people. Whangara, Gisborne, Tairawhiti. 2016 Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust national marine and freshwater wananga. Thanks to all who came and made it the epic experience and sharing of stories and experiences that it was. Fired up and many new stories, connections and tools! Music 'Let Your Hair Hang Down' by Paua Nation - https://pauanation.bandcamp.com/