Ngāi Tai-Ao Freshwater Monitoring
Te Matapuna o te Wai
A comprehensive framework integrating mātauranga Māori with scientific methodologies to asses and restore the health of our ancestral waters through the innovative Mauri Compass system. This initiative represents a vital commitment to environmental stewardship, blending traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary scientific practices to ensure the sustainable management of freshwater resources for future generations.
At its core, the framework emphasises the profound connection between Ngāi Tai and their wai Māori. Mātauranga Māori provides invaluable insights into the natural rhythms and health indicators of these ecosystems, passed down through generations. This deep understanding informs a holistic approach to monitoring, recognising the interconnectedness of all elements within the environment.
Complementing traditional wisdom, robust scientific methodologies are employed for data collection and analysis. This includes advanced techniques for water quality testing, biodiversity assesment, and hydrological modelling, ensuring a rigorous and evidence-based foundation for decision-making. The combination of these two knowledge systems creates a powerful and culturally resonant approach to environmental monitoring.
The innovative Mauri Compass system serves as the central tool for this integration. It facilitates the collection, interpretation, and visualisation of both traditional and scientific data, providing a dynamic overview of the spiritual and ecological health (mauri) of the waterways. This system empowers Ngāi Tai to actively participate in the ongoing assesment and restoration efforts, fostering a deeper connection to their natural heritage and promoting active kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
View Monitoring Plan
What Our Stakeholders Are Saying
"Wow ....fantastic.......I am looking at it from the perspective as a tool for our negotiations ... 😃 .. awesome mahi"
- Ngai Tai Treaty Negotiator
"Looks like a great platform, mean mahi - when is the Mauri Compass waananga? be keen to try and get along for that"
- Ngai Tai Asset Holding Company Director
"I'm more of a graph type of person so this is awesome! Look forward to the ground mahi with our kura."
- Te Kura o Torere Tumuaki
Comprehensive Monitoring Framework
Our monitoring plan establishes a systematic approach to assessing freshwater health, grounded in kaitiakitanga principles and mana motuhake. This framework provides essential data for management decisions and tracks restoration success.
Establish Baseline Conditions
Document current state of key mahinga kai sites within the Ngāi Tai rohe using integrated assessment methods.
Monitor Changes Over Time
Track water quality, habitat condition, and taonga species populations through regular monitoring cycles.
Assess Management Effectiveness
Evaluate success of restoration and management actions using both cultural and scientific indicators.
Support Treaty Negotiations
Provide robust data to support freshwater claims and governance arrangements.
Build Whānau Capacity
Develop skills and knowledge for active kaitiakitanga of freshwater resources.
Key Monitoring Sites
Our monitoring programme focuses on two strategic sites within the Tōrere River system, providing comprehensive coverage from ngahere to moana and representing the full spectrum of catchment conditions.
Torere Pūahatanga
Located where the Tōrere River meets the moana, this site monitors cumulative catchment effects and serves as critical habitat for diadromous fish species including inanga and tuna.
  • Coastal interface monitoring
  • Cumulative effects assessment
  • Diadromous fish habitat
  • Catchment health indicator
Torere: Ngahere
Situated within the forested upper catchment, representing pristine conditions and providing baseline data for natural ecosystem function and restoration goals.
  • Pristine reference conditions
  • Natural ecosystem function
  • Restoration baseline data
  • Mauri assessment reference
Monitoring Parameters
Our comprehensive assessment framework integrates physical, chemical, biological, and cultural parameters to provide a holistic understanding of freshwater health through both scientific and mātauranga Māori perspectives.
Physical Parameters
  • Water temperature
  • pH levels
  • Dissolved oxygen
  • Turbidity
  • Flow rate and depth
Chemical Parameters
  • Nutrient levels (N & P)
  • E. coli levels
  • Heavy metals
  • Pesticide residues
Biological Parameters
  • Taonga species abundance
  • Macroinvertebrate communities
  • Riparian vegetation health
  • Invasive species presence
Cultural Parameters
  • Water clarity and appearance
  • Traditional food sources
  • Cultural practice ability
  • Overall mauri assessment
Educational Integration Success
The Ngai Tai-Ao Curriculum successfully connects tamariki with ancestral waters through hands-on learning that builds cultural knowledge and scientific understanding. Early implementation shows remarkable student engagement and strengthened cultural identity.
100%
Student Engagement
Complete participation in environmental monitoring activities
85%
Te Reo Confidence
Increased comfort using Māori language in environmental contexts
12
Species Identified
Native and introduced species documented through eDNA analysis
Students are learning to assess the mauri of places through pūrākau, kōrero tuku iho, and whakataukī specific to Ngāi Tai, while developing practical skills in environmental monitoring and data collection.
eDNA Technology Integration
Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, when combined with mātauranga Māori, unlocks deeper, more nuanced insights into freshwater ecosystems than either could provide alone. This cutting-edge, non-invasive method allows us to detect species presence by collecting genetic material shed into the water – from skin, scales, or waste – without disturbing the environment. It offers unparalleled sensitivity, even identifying elusive or rare species, and provides a comprehensive snapshot of biodiversity that significantly strengthens and complements traditional knowledge.
This innovative approach allows us to rapidly assess the biological health of waterways, providing data that might otherwise be impossible or impractical to collect through traditional sampling. It's particularly powerful for detecting cryptic species, early colonisers, or even species that are present in very low numbers. The precision and efficiency of eDNA analysis mean we can gain a far more detailed understanding of the aquatic life within the Ngāi Tai rohe.
Native Species Detected
Through eDNA analysis, we have successfully identified a range of native species crucial to the health of our waterways and traditional food sources:
  • Shortfin tuna (eels)
  • Longfin tuna (eels)
  • Redfin bully
  • Bluegill bully
  • Torrentfish
  • Inanga
  • Kahawai
  • Common bully
Introduced Species Found
eDNA also provides early detection of introduced species that can impact native ecosystems and mauri:
  • Rainbow trout
  • Norway rat
  • Possum
  • Red deer
  • Goat
  • Cattle

Key Message: eDNA doesn't replace Mātauranga – it strengthens it. Together, they unlock meaningful, place-based restoration of mahinga kai.
While eDNA provides valuable species detection, mātauranga Māori holds intergenerational knowledge that informs the meaning behind species presence or absence, connecting people to place through lived experience. Mātauranga provides the essential context for interpreting the scientific data, explaining historical changes, seasonal patterns, and the deeper cultural significance of the species detected. This combined understanding ensures that restoration efforts are not only scientifically sound but also culturally resonant and aligned with Ngāi Tai values.
For example, eDNA might confirm the presence of certain fish species, but it is mātauranga that informs us of their importance as mahinga kai (food gathering sites), their traditional harvesting seasons, and their role in the ecosystem's mauri. This dual lens allows for a more holistic and effective approach to freshwater management and kaitiakitanga.
The integration of eDNA technology represents a significant step forward in our capacity to monitor and protect freshwater ecosystems. It empowers Ngāi Tai with robust, data-driven insights while simultaneously affirming the enduring relevance and depth of mātauranga-a-Ngai Tai.
Tōrere Ngahere
Tōrere Pūahatanga
Mauri Compass Platform
The Mauri Compass is an innovative digital platform designed to integrate real-time freshwater data with mātauranga Māori, providing a holistic view of waterway health and supporting informed decision-making.
Integrated Data Visualisation
Combines scientific water quality data with cultural health indicators, presented through intuitive dashboards and mapping tools for comprehensive insights.
Policy & Reporting Tools
Facilitates seamless reporting to stakeholders and supports the development of evidence-based policy for freshwater management and Treaty negotiations.
Community Engagement Portal
Empowers whānau and local communities to actively participate in data collection, share traditional knowledge, and contribute to restoration efforts.
Educational Resources
Offers interactive learning modules and curriculum support for schools, fostering environmental stewardship and cultural understanding among tamariki.
Mauri Compass Platform
Our digital platform integrates mātauranga Māori with modern technology, providing comprehensive tools for assesing freshwater cultural and environmental health while maintaining cultural authenticity and iwi data sovereignty.
Real-time Monitoring
Live dashboard showing river status, data gaps, key threats, and cultural connection strength with comprehensive assesment framework.
Cultural Sites Documentation
Monitoring of significant locations including Torere Marae, traditional fishing pools, sacred springs, and historical setlements.
Taonga Species Tracking
Comprehensive monitoring of key species including tuna, kōura, and inanga with population trends and habitat assesment.
Current assesment shows river status as "Poor" with 6 research priorities identified, 5 active threats, but strong cultural connection maintained by Ngāi Tai Iwi despite environmental chalenges.
Policy Integration Framework
The Mauri Compass System stands as a critical bridge between mātauranga Māori and contemporary environmental governance, offering a robust foundation for culturally grounded freshwater management. Its design ensures seamless integration within existing statutory planning frameworks and regulatory structures, providing an innovative yet compliant approach to ecological and cultural well-being. This unique alignment is particularly evident in its synergy with the Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement Objective 17, demonstrating a practical pathway for enhancing both environmental outcomes and the exercise of Māori rangatiratanga over their ancestral waters.
1
National Policy Integration
The Mauri Compass directly supports the implementation of national directives such as the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) and the foundational principles of Te Mana o te Wai. By providing culturally appropriate indicators and assessment frameworks, it moves beyond purely scientific metrics to include the holistic health of a waterway, reflecting the intrinsic connection between people and water. This ensures that policy decisions are informed by both Western science and traditional Māori knowledge, fostering a more balanced and effective approach to freshwater protection and restoration across Aotearoa.
2
Regional Planning Alignment
Crucially, the system integrates deeply with the Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement, specifically addressing Objective 17, which aims for the safeguarding and enhancement of mauri (life force) in fresh water. The Mauri Compass provides the essential methodological framework for achieving this objective, translating abstract policy goals into tangible, measurable actions. It offers tools for ongoing monitoring, data interpretation, and reporting that directly inform regional council planning, ensuring that the unique cultural values and aspirations of Ngāi Tai are embedded within statutory regional plans and initiatives.
3
Consent Process Enhancement
Beyond broad policy, the Mauri Compass significantly enhances the Resource Management Act (RMA) consent processes. It delivers a standardised cultural impact assessment methodology, equipped with quantifiable indicators that reflect mauri health and other culturally significant parameters. This provides robust, evidence-based data that supports more informed and equitable RMA consent decisions, reducing potential conflicts and ensuring that the impacts on cultural values and traditional uses of water are adequately considered and mitigated. This proactive integration streamlines processes while strengthening environmental protections and cultural safeguards.
4
Treaty Settlement Support
The platform is a powerful enabler for the practical implementation of co-management arrangements arising from Treaty of Waitangi settlements. By establishing shared assessment frameworks and providing joint decision-making tools, the Mauri Compass facilitates genuine partnership between iwi, local government, and other stakeholders. It creates a common language and understanding around freshwater health, empowering Ngāi Tai to actively participate in the governance and stewardship of their customary lands and waters, thereby fulfilling the spirit and intent of Treaty settlements through collaborative environmental management.
This comprehensive integration framework not only demonstrates how traditional knowledge systems like mātauranga Māori can enhance, rather than complicate, modern environmental management, but also champions a new paradigm. It fosters a genuine and productive partnership between iwi and regulatory agencies, leading to more culturally responsive, ecologically sound, and ultimately, more sustainable outcomes for New Zealand's precious freshwater resources. This collaborative approach recognises the invaluable contribution of intergenerational Māori wisdom in addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
Future Vision & Impact
Te Mātāpuna o te Wai demonstrates the transformative power of integrating mātauranga Māori with modern technology, creating innovative solutions that serve as a model for indigenous-led environmental management globally.
2025 Achievements
Monitoring network established, AI-enhanced platform progressing, and whānau training delivered.
Expansion Plans
Extension to additional waterways, integration with marine systems, predictive modelling development, and educational programme expansion.
Innovation Priorities
Advanced AI integration, drone technology, real-time alert systems, and virtual reality cultural education applications.
"This programme serves as a model for other iwi and communities seeking to develop culturally grounded approaches to environmental management, demonstrating that traditional knowledge and modern science can work together to achieve better outcomes for both people and environment."
DRAFT 5th SEPT 2025