Exercising kaitaikitanga involves a range of activities.

As kaitiaki of Parininihi, Ngāti Tama is part of the Tiaki Te Mauri O Parininihi Trust working to support biodiversity, control animal pests and reintroduce taonga species that have been lost.

If work is being carried out on our rohe, such as construction or archaeological investigations, our kaitiaki provide appropriate cultural support and guidance. This includes working onsite to advise on tikanga to ensure the cultural safety of workers and in situations where taonga or kōiwi (human bones) are discovered.

Where a large project directly impacts our whenua, such as Te Ara o Te Ata: Mt Messenger Bypass, our role involves much more. It includes providing input into option selection and design including cultural expression, developing cultural indicators, a cultural monitoring plan and having a group to oversee monitoring. Find out more about our work with Te Ara o Te Ata [link to Partnering with Waka Kotahi]