The power of partnership boosting environmental outcomes at Tinopai

Parties involved in an environmental collaboration with Kaipara Moana Remediation in Tinopai, are encouraging other Iwi and community groups to follow their lead.

KMR’s Acting Pou Tātaki Emma Doré says KMR welcomes third-party co-investors to support the funding of environmental remediation projects like the protection efforts of the Puapua Creek.

“Third-party contributions are part of the necessary matched funding contributions required under the KMR Deed of Funding,” says Emma.

“Third-party contributions help reduce barriers to landowners or community groups taking action, just as is happening with the Puapua Creek and wetland buffer restoration project in Tinopai through the efforts of the Tinopai Resource Management Unit (TRMU).”

For New Forests and New Zealand Forest Managers, the mahi with Mana Whenua through TRMU and Kaipara Moana Remediation is the first such community environmental collaboration it has engaged in within the Northland region.

Forestry Manager Reihana Fisher says with Tinopai on the back doorstep of NZ Forest Managers’ Tinopai pine plantation, working with Iwi leaders and the local community on the Puapua waterway and wetland buffer restoration has been a pleasure.

He says since completion of windthrow salvage operations in 2024, NZFM has completed an assisted native forest regeneration project across almost two hectares along the Puapua waterway, work involving the removal of regenerating pine seedlings, spraying of pampas and other invasive weeds, plus the control of wattle.

In addition, TRMU’s Mikaera Miru, Judy Reid and Mina Henare have teamed up with a local landowner, New Forests, NZFM and KMR on the Puapua Creek and wetland buffer restoration project.

Since 2013, the landowner has completed almost 1.7 kilometres of fencing to protect around 3.25 hectares of retired farmland, in which 12,000 native plants and trees have been planted. NZFM helped with site preparation before the planting of 9000 trees in stage three in 2025 and are an integral part of the restoration project.

Mikaera and Mina are encouraged by the positive environmental progress.

“If there was not a community here that actually cares about what happens with the environment, this would not have happened,” they say.

“Being Mana Whenua led from the beginning has been a really strong theme. In addition, the Kūtai Restoration Project and extension of the restoration planting will also play a key role in enhancing the waterways and local environment.

“We are doing this for the kids and their kids in the future. They love their involvement and are really proud of their efforts because Puapua creek leads all the way to the Kaipara Moana and our kaimoana.

“Already these children are kaitiaki through monthly monitoring of Tinopai waterways. Northland Regional Council fund the water monitoring programme with local kaitiaki who engage with Tinopai school. Connecting the children to the environment is very important because they are tomorrow’s environmental managers.

“The sooner other communities get involved in other environmental restoration projects the healthier the environment is going to be in future.”

Emma says to participate in KMR and access grants (such as the Whenua Whānui Fund), landowners and community groups must demonstrate matched funding.

“While it can be a challenge for landowners and community groups to come up with this contribution to the project on their own, this is where the support of a third-party co-investor can be instrumental in getting the project off the ground,” she says.

Qualifying third-party contributions include:

• Landowner “In-Kind” Time: Labor for planting, fencing, or weed control
• Materials: Providing your own fencing posts, wire, or other necessary equipment
• Community & Philanthropic Funds: Cash or grants raised from local catchment groups, iwi/hapū, or non-governmental organisations
• Industry Contributions: Support or materials from local forestry, agriculture, or industry associations.