The Ma_uri Monitoring Framework project began after an Environment Court hearing on the Ruataniwha Dam.  Heretaunga mana whenua leaders made clear to the court that they were not satisfied that they had proper input and objected to the proposal. The court ordered the HBRC to resource mana whenua to investigate and establish an appropriate cultural mauri monitoring framework for the Tukituki awa. 

The purpose of the project was to develop an ecological wellbeing monitoring tool for water quality, taonga species survival and based on kaupapa māori mātauranga, māori tikanga and kawa, for the Tukituki awa. The project was expected to take 2 to 3 years as seasonal observations and measurements needed to be recorded, wananga with 3-4 marae to be held, and then see if the framework was suitable for or could be adapted for other Heretaunga awa.

In the first instance, wānanga were held at select marae with field trips to relevant sites along the awa.  All hui the were recorded and/ or filmed to have a record of the valuable kōrero on whakapapa and kaitiakitanga and it is hoped to share more in the future.  To date the first year of the project has been delivered and a progress report was produced. 

The design and development of a draft framework tool co-designed by mana whenua with the assistance of technical advisors to measure mauri (ecosystem biodiversity wellbeing) was acheived.  Each of the 4 seasonal Wānanga had excellent attendance ranging between 15 and up to 30 participants with 9 marae hapū of Heretaunga Tamatea engaged.

An expert project management team ensured desired outcomes were met.  Cultural oversight support came from the kahui kaumatua roopu and Te Rūnanganui o Heretaunga.  Evaluation feedback confirmed the engagement process and planning exceeded expectation   Local presenters provided a range of views on the mauri of the awa and the mauri and health of tangata whenua.

The wānanga provided the ability for whānau to reconnect back to their own traditional history, whakapapa, mahinga kai, whenua and culturally significant sites.

The draft framework has been called Ngā Pou Mataara Hou (NPMH) and future seasonal wānanga will test its application out in the field.