A new initiative to protect and enhance Mauao has received a major funding boost, with BayTrust awarding a $50,000 grant to Mauao Trust to launch a community-focused kaitiakitanga project.

The Ngā Kaitiaki ō Mauao Project will deepen public involvement in caring for the maunga, with cultural practices, environmental stewardship, and education at its core.

“At its heart, the project seeks to elevate the standard of care for this treasured taonga,” said Mauao Trust Project manager Porina McLeod.

“Mauao needs more voices, more hands, and more hearts. He needs his community to learn about and understand the work being done, and to join the collective effort to protect his health, his mana, and his mauri – for generations to come.”

Through the project, more opportunities will be provided for community members to get involved in caring for the maunga.

“To his iwi people, Mauao is an ancestor. Our main goal is to provide opportunities for our community to give back to Mauao rather than just taking from the maunga. We know people want to give back but they just don’t have the chance to at this stage.”

The project marks the first time Mauao Trust will do its own mahi on Mauao.

“Council will still take care of general track management, pest plants, animal control and things like public health and safety. What Mauao Trust will do alongside that is bring back cultural practices and help connect our community and iwi people back to the maunga,” McLeod said.

“We have a range of new programmes that will help improve the health and wellbeing of Mauao, provide meaningful opportunities for iwi and community participation, strengthen environmental stewardship through education, training and action, and unite people through shared responsibility, respect, and care for the maunga.”

Two paid kaitiaki have now been hired and a small kiosk has been set up at the base of Mauao, opposite the Pilot Bay boat ramp.

People were welcome to visit the kiosk where general information will be available about Mauao’s cultural, historical and ecological significance.

A range of other services that uphold manaakitanga will soon be on offer too including regular education and awareness events, fundraising activities such as guided tours, and behavioural monitoring to encourage people to be respectful while walking the tracks so it’s a safe and positive experience for all.

Other programmes in the pipeline include monitoring native bird species to enhance habitats and support population growth, and looking after soil health, water quality, native insects and other wildlife.

People would be invited to join Mauao’s volunteer group in future and help out with various education or ecological programmes, or pitch in with tasks like implementing track closures during bad weather or helping guide people during big sporting events.

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes said Mauao is the region’s most beloved landmark, attracting over a million visitors a year to walk the base track alone.

While day-to-day care and maintenance will still be managed by a joint administration board (formed by the Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council), Ngā Kaitiaki ō Mauao Project recognises that everyone has a sense of belonging and affection for the maunga and many people wish to help look after it.

“Kaitiakitanga is one of BayTrust’s key funding priorities and we are delighted to support this project,” he said.

“It will encourage community participation and foster a shared sense of responsibility for caring for our environment, as well as promoting a deeper understanding among residents and visitors about Mauao’s cultural and historical significance for local iwi. We look forward to seeing more people get involved.”

-Contributed content