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November 09, 2015
Maori workforce boosting conservation effort
Waatea Team
Posted On November 9, 2015
It’s Conservation Week, and the department that oversees much of New Zealand’s natural environment is encouraging people to get out into the ngahere.
It’s also the 25th anniversary of Nga Whenua Rahui, a scheme to help Maori owners protect land with high conservation values and keep it pest free.
Joe Harawira, DOC’s kaihautu or manager of strategic partnerships, says the value of the work can be seen in places like Motatau Forest in Northland, which is now largely predator free because of a collaboration with its Ngati Hine owners.
He says about 15 percent of DOC’s workforce is now Maori, and there are also opportunities in Nga Whenua Rahui
"The Nga Whenua Rahui kaupapa have their own set of Maori rangers that they are training up in all fields of biodiversity and conservation, they're the ringa raupa, I suppose that go out onto the Maori land rather than the DOC administered land to support those Maori land owners," says Joe Harawira.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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