Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Setting up the whenua for the next generations
Next Rawiri goes over health and safety protocols, including caring for the mauri of the site and fellow kaimahi. This demonstrates the company’s commitment to te ao Māori and kaimahi safety – visually it is seen in the quality and range of protective equipment they use while operating.
While the others continue to prepare for the targeted weed control, Sabina talks about what the project means to her. Previously working on road and rail projects, she’s been working with the rūnanga on projects throughout Kaikōura for the last two years. Which job does she prefer? Without hesitation, “this one”. Being able to work on a variety of projects with a great crew and knowing the work she does today will benefit the generations of tomorrow makes for an easy choice, she says.
It’s time for the team to gear up and head out to the area they’ll be spraying today. The day is warm, their coveralls, thick. Aloud, one of the boys hopes for a bit of rain; unfortunately for him, the day’s forecast is crystal clear. The crew start off to the site beyond and we head back to the carpark.
In a few weeks, they’ll return to the site to begin planting out the area with native species.
“Having our crew out there being able to connect with the whenua and the awa is a great thing to see,” Rāwiri said.
“It boosts the kaimahi up, fills their cup, especially into their wairuatanga, whakapapa and cultural identity. All of our crew are quite young, so this is all new for them. They love working on the whenua, seeing the progress from when they start to when they plant is a huge thing for them.
“They can see what they’re creating and know that it’s intergenerational. The plants they’re planting now help the next generation and the generations afterwards. That’s how they know it’s important,” he says.
The mahi here is about so much more for the team – not only restoring the balance of the environment but restoring connection to their whakapapa.
The overgrown project site before work started
The project site during targeted weed clearance
After the site has been cleared and native plants have been installed
