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Tupu is to grow, the growth of the resources, the growth of the people, the growth of the settlement. Panuku has two meanings, firstly it represents success as described in the saying ‘eke panuku, eke Tangaroa’, secondly is refers to the tilling of the land to provide a benefit for the people ‘nuku’ = earth and ‘pa’ to touch, engage with and our two Paa (Maungatautari and Poohara and the people who affiliate there).
Tupu Panuku leads training and accreditation in partnership with WINTEC – Te Pukenga is currently in its second semester delivering a Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture. The programme was first designed and implemented within our rohe of Maungatautari in 2021.
Engage iwi and whaanau in the restoration of our lands and waters
Increase science and research opportunities and potential around our own native taonga
Normalise the existence of native plant species in our area and understand the importance of these eco-sourced taonga species to our regions
To move to a fully sustainable operation that resources all of our future restoration programmes
Establish a group of volunteers to support the programmes of work
Establish a permanent working group for restoration programmes
Provide upfront capital of lands for the planting of trees and buildings to support the base operations of the new sanctuary and dispensary
Normalise relationships with Wintec for training and accreditation programmes of at least 5 dedicated iwi members to run the new sanctuary and promote their progress into becoming teachers and practitioners
Normalise our relationship with Maungatautari Ecological Island staff and Waipaa District Council in the new developments
Provide ongoing evaluation and best practice models for sharing across the sector where required
Tupu Panuku leads training and accreditation in partnership with WINTEC – Te Pukenga is currently in its second semester delivering a Level 3 Certificate in Horticulture. The programme was first designed and implemented within our rohe of Maungatautari in 2021.
The first semester was focused around Landscape Construction giving whānau and tauira the skills required to construct landscaping and gardening features such as retaining walls, pergolas, concreting, paving and irrigation, these projects laid the foundations for the construction of our Native Nursery.
This project is intended to create opportunities for whaanau to engage in an iwi-led initiative and develop skills and practical projects they can transfer into other meaningful employment or training programmes beyond the life of this accreditation. This project supports whānau and community to come together and build on a kaupapa for the environment on iwi lands.
The current semester focuses on the horticulture component of the course which sees people returning from semester 1 with the integration of a new mix of tauira and whānau who have come on board to learn all about the plants and what Maungatautari has to offer in the way plant care, pesticide and herbicide control etc.
Tauira/participants gain experience in sourcing seed and seedlings from Maungatautari (Sanctuary Mountain) which will be transferred to the nursery and cared for here by our kaitiaki and used for Iwi land and habitat Restoration and Rongoa ventures by the Iwi. While the training and modules have a specific focus, all outcomes generate an upswell of completed infrastructure, assets and taonga stocktakes for our broader land diversity and biodiversity work programmes.
What makes this more rewarding is that whaanau get to learn and grow on their own whenua doing mahi that is going to benefit the iwi which is something that they can be proud of and provides avenues for growth in the taiao sector. We encourage whaanau to take these opportunities and be a part of a positive initiative built by the Iwi for the Iwi.
Starting with the small sprout/ Koru which represents growth, gradually getting bigger representing the nursery and ongoing growth of the Iwi, from our pepi right through to our kaumatua. The use of earthy colours to reinforce our connection to the whenua.
