Frequently asked questions and answers
What is Ahu Moana?
The concept of Ahu Moana was developed as part of Sea Change and refers to “co-management of areas covering the coastline of Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi to provide for joint mana whenua and community co-management of local marine areas.” Working together underpins Ahu Moana. The Waiheke Marine Project aims to adopt and promote this concept of Ahu Moana which was developed in Sea Change. “Co-management of areas covering the coastline of Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi to provide for joint mana whenua and community co-management of local marine areas.”
Although Ahu Moana is new and untested, the Waiheke Marine Project believes it could be appropriate for Waiheke Island. We believe WMP will serve as a prototype for the Ahu Moana concept -– as it is Ngāti Paoa, mana whenua for Waiheke Island, and community led. This concept is a world-leading exemplar of an urban island dynamically co-managing its land and sea areas. We are confident that the raised consciousness of marine issues will result in actions throughout the course of the Project and these actions will be tracked for later evaluation. The Waiheke Marine Project aims to avoid the past divisiveness and confrontation and instead promote listening, respect, finding common ground and working together, in conjunction with Ngāti Paoa. A full and inclusive conversation is needed to strengthen voluntary action and collaboration that includes and unites all marine interests.
What challenges face Tikapa Moana?
Tikapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf) is under threat from numerous factors such as: growth in populations around the Gulf, increased sedimentation, invasive pests, fishing (both commercial and recreational), pollution, degrading biogenic habitats and other anthropogenic/human activities. The need to preserve, conserve and help rehabilitate degraded habitats is essential for the health of the Gulf and survival of its species.
What is Sea Change?
Sea Change is currently being reviewed and an implementation strategy will be developed by the independent Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) established by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Waiheke Marine Project prepared a contribution to recommendations for alterations to Sea Change which were due in July 2020.
How is the project funded and who are the Sponsors ?
The WMP team have successfully applied for various grants to fund the community engagement, education and planning needed as groundwork for the success of the Future Search event - and to fund the event itself.
In addition, a number of people and companies have provided support with goods and/or services.
How can Sponsors help?
Funding to ensure the success of the project beyond the Future Search process is still needed. Capturing the outcomes, stories, developing and producing the materials needed of dissemination of these across our community.
What do Sponsors receive?
For Major Sponsors: your generosity comes with visibility at events such as Future Search.
For all Sponsors: we will be publishing materials with acknowledgements of your generosity. There will be press releases, interviews, advertising, and a dedicated section of the Waiheke Collective website, all places where we will acknowledge our Funders and Sponsors.
Subject to enough funding, there will also be a set of radio interviews/podcasts and a film of the important stages. The success of this Project will provide a prototype for other community efforts.
The Hauraki Gulf Conservation Trust (HGCT) is acting as the umbrella funder for the Waiheke Collective and for this Waiheke Marine Project. The Trust’s objective is to initiate and support environmental projects in the Hauraki Gulf. The HGCT is providing the Project with a Treasurer as well as valuable advice and experience.
