Tū Te Manawa to connect iwi with the Manawatū River

“Ko Manawatū te awa, he awa tapu, hei piringa mauri, hei piringa tangata. The sacred river of Manawatū, where the life force remains to bring people together.

“As part of the project, eight whare will be constructed at culturally significant sites. The first, at Ferry Reserve, is due for completion at the end of November.

“The whare will house historical, cultural and scientific narratives, and provide a place for people to engage at the river’s edge.”

“With support from Horizons, the Te Mana o Te Wai fund and landowners, Tū Te Manawa project members will also engage in an extensive planting and fencing programme to physically improve and enhance the quality of the river from source to the sea.

“A culturally significant species protection and enhancement programme will also be developed and implemented at each of the whare sites, allowing iwi, hapū, whānau and students from local schools to engage in community science,” says Mr Morris.

Today’s event starts at 10am and is part of Horizons Regional Council Expo. In addition to its financial contribution, Horizons has actively supported Manawatū River iwi’s application to the Te Mana o Te Wai fund through committed resource and staff time.

Horizons natural resources and partnerships manager Dr Jon Roygard says that the council are committed to partnership with iwi, hapū and any other groups or people that share the same aspirations and goals.

“Collaborations such as Tū Te Manawa help generate positive and collective outcomes around the enhancement of our freshwater environments,” says Dr Roygard.