Oceans symposium October 6-7

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Tairawhiti will next month host some of the Pacific’s best minds in a two-day oceans symposium.

Te Paepae o Tangaroa will run on October 6 and 7.

Kaitiaki (guardians), scientists, voyagers and environmental leaders from Te Tairawhiti, other parts of New Zealand and the wider Pacific will gather to explore relationships with the ocean in the past, present and future.

The symposium has been organised by Moananui, a community engagement initiative led by Te Ha Trust in partnership with the traditional voyaging community in Aotearoa.

Te Paepae o Tangaroa will focus on the practical ways communities are protecting their lands, waterways and ocean spaces, as well as new proposals to legally recognise the life and voice of the Pacific Ocean.

Moananui advocate Dr Wayne Ngata, says it is an important kaupapa.

“The people of Gisborne/Turanganui a Kiwa and indeed the Tairawhiti are people of the sea and have been for many generations.

“For most of that time we are shore-bound but are influenced daily by what happens in and with the sea, and what our actions onshore mean for the sea.

“Consequently we must be mindful of our relationship with the sea. We assume stewardship and mana over the sea in a way that is naive and arrogant.

“The sea has a ‘voice’.”

“Te Paepae o Tangaroa is an opportunity to discuss the life and voice of Te Moananui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean).

“The name Te Paepae o Tangaroa is taken obviously from Tangaroa (the sea). Te Paepae is a place we can sit upon, debate, discuss, reflect and plan for the future of our oceans.

“This symposium gives us a platform upon which those working locally, nationally and internationally will share insightful korero (conversation) and considerable collective matauranga (knowledge) relating to the ocean.”

The symposium is sponsored by the New Zealand National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nga Pae o Te Maramatanga and Lotteries Environment and Heritage.

Te Paepae o Tangaroa will be held at Whirikoka Campus, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, 630 Childers Road. There are one-day and two-day tickets available through iTicket.