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The Hoe Taiao portfolio is dedicated to protecting and enhancing our natural environment through environmental monitoring, kaitiakitanga (guardianship), and the sustainable management of our rohe and taiao.

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We build strong relationships with Crown agencies operating within our rohe, including the Northland Regional Council, Whangārei District Council, DOC, and MPI. Our priority is the protection and restoration of our awa and whenua, recognising the cultural and spiritual connections our people hold with these taonga.

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Through engagement in Resource Management Act (RMA) processes, we advocate for the sustainable use of our whenua, awa, and wai while ensuring environmental integrity and equitable treatment. We also work to strengthen conservation efforts through DOC concessions and other collaborative opportunities.

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Our focus extends to the rohe moana, promoting responsible fisheries management and the protection of marine resources under the Fisheries Act. We advocate for fair access, the protection of customary rights, and the continuation of traditional practices.

The Hoe Taiao portfolio upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), ensuring tangata whenua voices are respected and embedded in environmental decision-making.

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Beyond engagement with the Crown, we support Hapū-led and haukāinga initiatives that restore and revitalise our whenua, moana, and awa. Projects such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and water quality monitoring embody true kaitiakitanga — empowering our people to lead with mātauranga Māori, kōrero tuku iho, and a shared responsibility to protect the taiao for future generations.