E nga whānau whānui ō Wairarapa
Tenei au ki raro te korowai ō Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, tenei au e mihi ana.

Sam’s Got a New Job (Again!)

After the success of Sam’s rangatahi/youth biodiveristy work with the Mokomoko programme in 2019/20 he was in the process of finding more putea/money to continue when Tai Gemmel, General Manager of Kahungungu ki Wairarapa, proposed that Sam continue Mokomoko but increase his hours to further support Rawiri Smith and grow the KKW environmental/taiao team.

Given that KKW had been strong supporters of the Mokomoko programme, this felt like a great fit and an opportunity that couldn’t be missed.

The Kaupapa

The focus for KKW is a generational plan to return the mauri, or lifeforce, to Wairarapa Moana…

For every year the lake has been diminished (150 years), it will take 2 years to replenish. The moemoeā, or dream, is to return the mauri to lake, and to a thriving native fishery that can replenish the wider Ruamahanga whaitua/catchment, bringing back an abundance of taonga species to our awa/rivers. We want ours waters to reach its full potential as the life force running through our whenua.

KKW’s strategy to achieve this goal is to weave the people together. Whānau, hapū, marae, farmers, environmental organisations, the crown and iwi must work together to acheive the ultimate goal of Te Mana o Te Wai and returning the mauri (lifeforce) to our moana/lake.

As a whānau we feel privileged and excited to contribute to this incredible kaupapa.

What is Te Mana o Te Wai?

Te Mana o te Wai is a fundamental concept focused on restoring and preserving the balance between water (wai), the wider environment (taiao), and people (tāngata), now and in the future.

To find out more visit the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management, published in August 2020

As mana whenua the two Wairarapa iwi, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitane ō Wairarapa, have each produced their own unique policy statement for te Mana ō te Wai. If you are interested in learning more about these please contact Sam at the KKW office.

The Significance of Wairarapa Moana

To find out more about the significance of Wairarapapa Moana to the hapū and whānau of the Wairarapa valley and learn more about the story of the lake, check out the amazing Lake Stories website.

Is the Pottery Still Open for Business?

Sort of!

Sam’s pretty busy with the new mahi but there are a few projects still ticking away slowly in the background. The Waihinga Sculpture for example, and a contract to create 20 Kōkopu Environmental Awards for the Ruamahanga Restoration Trust.

Officially, the pottery is in hibernation but if you’ve got an enquiry or request don’t hesitate to get in touch - if we plan out in advance we may be able to make it happen.

As always, ngā mihi nui kia koutou for your ongoing support for our work here in the pottery, it blows us away.

Sam, Janine, Bella and Molly

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