Building Resilience from the Mountains to the Sea: Reflections from the 2025 Ōnuku Wānanga
- Lorna Doogan
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
In April 2025, passionate freshwater and marine champions gathered at Ōnuku Marae on the shores of Akaroa Harbour for the annual Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) wānanga. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Impact and Building Resilience”, was an experience that rippled through every kōrero, dive, hīkoi, and connection made.
With the support of Ōnuku Rūnanga and EOS Ecology, this Wai Connection wānanga was a powerful reminder of the strength and energy within Aotearoa’s catchment community.
‘Wai Connection – Tatai Ki Te Wai’ is a Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust (MTSCT) community catchment group engagement and support project, funded largely by the Ministry for the Environment’s essential freshwater fund and delivered through a range of provider organisations nationally.
Download the proceedings here
A Place That Holds and Heals
The manaakitanga of Ōnuku Rūnanga and the stunning landscape of Akaroa set a tone of deep reflection and renewal. From seeing kekeno - seals on the rocks, to soaking in local knowledge on the Takapūneke Reserve hīkoi, participants spoke of reconnection and being recharged for the mahi ahead.
Voices from the Whenua and Wai
The wānanga spotlighted the remarkable work happening across Aotearoa’s catchments. Presentations from Piroa Conservation Trust, Te Ihowai, Pokaiwhenua Catchment Group, Friends of Te Wairoa, and many others revealed common threads: strong community relationships, intergenerational learning, and weaving mātauranga Māori with science.
One highlight was Debbie Tikao’s kōrero on Ōnuku’sTe Kori a te Kō project, a localised, mātauranga-led response to climate resilience that’s turning shared stories into tangible change. Another standout came from MTSCT’s National Īnanga Spawning Programme which is combining cutting-edge monitoring with community kaitiakitanga to restore vital whitebait habitats.
The Power of Coming Together
For many, the greatest takeaway was the wānanga itself, a space to connect, reset, and be inspired. Feedback echoed a strong sense of whanaungatanga:
“These events feel like gathering a hundred mini-mes from across the motu.”
Sessions like the spotlighting, hīkoi, snorkelling in the rahui zone, and comms and engagement workshops weren’t just professional development, they were fuel for the passion for te taiao.
Insights
Workshops explored what sustains catchment work and what’s needed for the future. Key themes included:
What sustains us: Manaakitanga, open communication, regular hui, and strong local leadership.
What we need: Long-term, flexible funding; paid coordinators; technical and cultural support; clear strategies; and accessible data tools.
What we envision for 2030: Thriving catchments, intergenerational leadership, and full-time community roles restoring waterways across the motu.
A recurring call was to fund not just projects—but the people and relationships that bring them to life.
Government panel
A panel with representatives from MfE, MPI, Te Uru Kahika, and Parliament offered space to explore where catchment groups sit in the national freshwater puzzle. While hopeful tones emerged around community leadership and integrated planning, feedback suggested the need for clearer facilitation and more context to bridge the government - community gap.
Looking Ahead
Participants left with renewed clarity and purpose - many committing to tangible next steps like hosting local hui, reviewing planting plans, or strengthening catchment communications. Follow-ups will help keep the momentum going.
Future wānanga locations were suggested, with a shared desire to keep growing the national network.
Ngā mihi nui to
Ōnuku Rūnanga for hosting us in your beautiful rohe and to EOS Ecology for your invaluable support in logistics and organisation.
The Government Panelists for the discussion "What's Next for Catchment Groups". Thank you to Ali, Christina, Janine and Grant for taking the time out of your busy schedules to speak to us.
Jacqui Chan | Drawing for Change | www.jacquichan.com - full access to all of the drawings will be provided in the proceedings.
We would also like to thank Black Cat Cruises for the wonderful tour of the Akaroa Harbour. Akaroa Yacht Club for the use of your clubrooms for our show and tell presentations. To the Duvauchelle Hotel for hosting our social evening.
Next steps for participants
Want to tell your story?
If you would like to share your experience at the Wānanga we would love to hear your story. Email lorna@mountainstosea.org.nz
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