Oral Presentation Freshwater Sciences 2023

Te Ārohirohi o Raukawa i Waikato is a freshwater assessment framework that supports Raukawa to carry out freshwater monitoring in a way that reflects and prioritises the unique worldview and practices of Raukawa. The purpose of Te Ārohirohi o Raukawa Freshwater Assessment Project was to research, develop and test a monitoring tool to assess and monitor the health and wellbeing of wai Māori through a Raukawa lens and to use the results to develop restoration and protection strategies.

For Raukawa the management of wai Māori is an intergenerational responsibility that is taken seriously. Raukawa have always and continue to advocate for the management of water in ways that recognise the interconnectedness between land, water and other ecosystems and we promote the intrinsic value of water as a taonga in and of its own right.

This framework supports us to tell our stories and assess the health of our waterways in a way that supports whānau to reconnect with the environment, to practice our own tikanga and kawa, and to participate in decision making and planning for our environment and waterways.

The Framework incorporates the following aspects to ensure that the unique Raukawa values are incorporated: 

Part One

• Ngā Mana o Ngā Atua,
• Ngā Mana o te Whenua,
• Ngā Mana o Ngā Tāngata - overarching freshwater management framework.

Part Two

Ngā Mātāpono – Six Guiding Principles

• Whakapapa;
• Ngā Tapuwae o Ngā Tūpuna;
• Tikanga and kawa;
• Te Reo o Te Taiao;
• Ngā Tohu o Ngā Atua;

Part Three

• Te Kohae,
• Te Uraura,
• Te Maruao,
• Te Ārohirohi - Four Stage Freshwater Assessment Process.

We look forward to sharing our journey in the development and implementation of our unique Freshwater Monitoring tool.