March 28, 2024
Manuhiri wahine evicting unwanted guest
Ngāti Manuhiri CEO Nicola Macdonald’s efforts to protect the moana from threats like caulerpa seaweed have won her the environmental hero tohu at the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
The invasive seaweed now seems firmly established in parts of Aotea-Great Barrier, but Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust is coodinating boats and and divers to clear it from the sea floor around Kawau Island.
“So in two weeks time, we’re going back into the water around Kawau Island. We’ve got about six weeks to get rid of that whole area. I’m pretty confident we’re going to do it or else I shouldn’t be accepting an award. And then we need to turn our attention to help our whānaunga that are also affected by it,” Ms Macdonald says.
Climate scientist Jim Salinger won the New Zealander of the Year award at last night event at the Auckland Viaduct Events Centre.