Extreme weather events are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity across Aotearoa New Zealand, which could lead to increased erosion and land loss of whenua Māori (Māori land).
More than 60% of whenua Māori is situated in high, steep and hilly country areas making this land highly susceptible to intense storm events and erosion. Whenua Māori located on the plains is vulnerable to flooding and sedimentation from nearby rivers. Resulting in loss of land, impacting water quality, damage to infrastructure (roads and bridges), and often times isolating vulnerable communities.
He Ngahere, He Korowai is interested in creating resilient whenua Māori landscapes for future generations. This research has identified transition pathways for converting highly impacted erosion prone whenua Māori areas from exotic rotational pine forestry operations to natural regeneration of diverse native permanent forest.
The Natural Regeneration Transition Pathway provides landowners with the tools manage identified highly erodible land of exotic pine forestry to be converted to natural regeneration, identify support mechanisms for funding to undertake the transition, and includes a natural regeneration plan that outlines the stages of a 3-year site plan.
