Over the coming months, Maangai Nui will present a feature series on the history of the lakes in the Rotorua district, their current status in terms of water quality, what has been done already to improve the state of the lakes, what is planned for the future, and how the community and iwi can assist in returning the lakes to its former glory.
It's of no surprise the clear, pristine lakes in the Rotorua rohe have been treasured by Te Arawa for many generations. They continue to be a key feature of our picturesque landscape and have attracted many visitors who make a significant contribution to the local tourism industry. From trout fishing, rama koura to waka ama and jet skiing, the Te Arawa lakes are not only a kapata kai but a part of Te Arawa tangata and their recreational livelihood.
But what is being done to protect these precious taonga? And what is being done to ensure our tamariki and mokopuna can enjoy the taste of fresh rainbow trout cooked on the shores of Lake Tarawera, spend countless hours with the whanau at Boyes Beach on a hot summer's day and revel in the idyllic clear water at Lake Rotoma, to name but a few of the highlights?
"For Te Arawa, the lakes are important to us historically, they are part of us,"Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group Chairman Sir Toby Curtis said. "We have a responsibility to the next generations by restoring the lakes to the state they were in when gifted to our generation from our tupuna."In 1998 the Rotorua Lakes Council, Te Arawa Lakes Trust and Bay of Plenty Regional Council formed a partnership and made a commitment to work together. This collaboration culminated in the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Programme (RTALP) to protect and restore water quality in Lakes Okareka , Okaro, Okataina, Rerewhakaaitu, Rotoehu, Rotoiti, Rotokakahi, Rotoma, Rotomahana, Rotorua, Tarawera and Tikitapu.
The Ministry for the Environment committed $72.1 in a Deed of Funding arrangement for the four priority lakes - Rotorua, Rotoehu, Rotoiti and Okareka. Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Rotorua Lakes Council matched this funding with $72.1 for these four lakes,
with additional funding for the protection and restoration of the other eight lakes.
"Bay of Plenty Regional Council is committed to the restoration of our lakes,"Regional Councillor for Okurei Arapeta Tahana said. "We use world leading science and technology but it is equally important to consider Te Arawa values in any lake interventions and action plans."Te Arawa iwi have a huge influence on how the RTALP sets out to protect and restore these lakes. They have mana whenua as the owner of the lakebeds and their valuable cultural advice is sought on all aspects of the lakes including the protection of cultural identity and the mauri of the lakes.
"Te Arawa Lakes Trust is in the process of developing a Framework outlining the importance of cultural values regarding our lakes to fulfil the vision and Te Arawa specific goals of the Rotorua Lakes Strategy, the guiding document for the restoration of the lakes, "Sir Toby Curtis said. A series of hui will be held to w?nanga with Te Arawa on our cultural, traditional & spiritual relationships with our lakes to develop the framework.
Thursday 12 February 2015
At Nukuteapiapi Whare Tupuna 1194 Haupapa Street, Rotorua From 9.30am to 1.00pm
Thursday 19 February 2015
At Te Takinga Marae Mourea From 5.30pm to 8.00pm
For more information & to RSVP for the hui, please contact: Leilani Ngawhika Ph. 07 346 1761, Email. leilani@tearawa.iwi.nz