Te Arawa working group formed to combat climate change

Te Arawa Lakes Trust says the group could be involved locally to help communities prepare for challenges brought on by changing climate. Photo/file

A new working group has been set up to help Te Arawa iwi and hapu tackle the growing issue of climate change.

The Te Arawa Climate Change Working Group has been established following feedback from iwi and hapu and aimed to ensure tangata whenua were leading the discussions about what can be done on a local level.

Te Arawa Lakes Trust environment manager Nicki Douglas said while the issue could be overwhelming there were things that could be done locally to help communities prepare for the changes.

The idea of setting up the working group came after the Iwi Advisory Group Regional hui in Rotorua which highlighted some of the work being carried out by the Iwi Chairs Forum.

Response around the issue from both the trust's AGM, and kaitiaki forums highlighted that it was an area people wanted to know more about and help with.

Douglas said the group would focus on both preparedness for the flow-on effects of climate change, as well as what day-to-day activities could be done to make a difference to reduce the effects of climate change.

"It's about getting a group of interested people together with expertise in this area to look at what this might mean for Te Arawa and our environment. We are already seeing some of our community living with some of the impacts, such as the increased water levels in the lakes due to high rainfall."

A recent presentation by Hiriwa Tapuke, who completed her thesis on tangata whenua response to natural disaster, provided inspiration and Douglas said they also took away lessons from the kaitiaki forum at Whakarewarewa, which focused around observing the environment and responding to changes.

Douglas said she was surprised at the level of concern expressed around the impact on the economic base - on industries such as horticulture and agriculture.

"The interest is twofold – the connection to whakapapa means people understand the need to protect the environment for the coming generations, as well as the desire for people to ensure food and water security.

"It's about getting a group of interested people together to work out what this means for Te Arawa. There are things that will work for us if we can come together and agree on how to best support Te Arawa moving forward," she said.

Douglas compared it to the cleanup of Rotorua's lakes, which seemed like a huge task at the time, but was proving successful a decade down the track.

"We can make a difference. We just have to figure out the ways to do that.

"It's in our history to respond to environmental changes and look for alternative pathways. Look at the Mt Tarawera eruption. We have a history of being adaptable and moving forward. We also are very innovative.

"Often iwi Maori are at the front of new technology and innovation and this is a real opportunity to show that.

"Those are our lakes, this is our place. If anyone should describe how they look in the future it should be us. That's quite motivating for people."

Douglas said a core group had already put their hand up to be involved with the working group, but they'd like to hear from anyone else interested in taking part.

Those interested in getting involved can contact nicki@tearawa.iwi.nz.