Te Rongo o Whatumā

02/02/2026

💚 TODAY IS WORLD WETLANDS DAY 💚

This year’s theme is "Wetlands and traditional knowledge: Celebrating cultural heritage." This global campaign spotlights the timeless role of traditional knowledge in sustaining wetland ecosystems and preserving cultural identity.

The Lake Whatumā wetland is identified as a priority wetland in the Hawke's Bay Biodiversity strategy, and is a wahi of great ecological and cultural importance.

Wetlands support high biodiversity and provide vital ecological functions. They act as ‘kidneys’ and giant sponges – they clean the water of excess nutrients and sediment, control flood water and pollutants, and act as carbon sinks (removing carbon
dioxide from the atmosphere.

Let's celebrate the role Whatumā plays in our region's ecosystem today, and as we continue to restore the lake and its gifts for future generations.

12/01/2026

We want to give a big mihi to Trees That Count, who are supporting our restoration mahi at Whatumā with a gift of 2,000 trees for the 2026 planting season. Keep an eye out here for information about our upcoming community planting days!

Trees that Count partners with businesses and individuals who want to support a brighter, greener, more resilient Aotearoa. You can find out more about them here: https://treesthatcount.co.nz/

22/12/2025

Blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) has been observed at Lake Whatumā. The algae occur naturally but can be harmful to people and animals. It can also move into nearby waterways, so please take extra care around Mangatarata Stream too.

See flyer attached for more information.

02/12/2025

We also want to acknowledge the team at Locales, who have been working with us since 2020, for helping shape and refine this vision.
Ngā mihi, Chris and your team.

This is "Dr Roger Maaka - Te Rongo o Whatumā Project Summary" by Locales on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

02/12/2025

Kia ora koutou!

Here is an update from Matua Roger on the lakeside activation project.

Over the past few months, we have been working on the detailed designs for the boardwalk, amphitheatre, and bird hide as we prepare for the next stage of planning. We are pleased to share some of these images in this update.

We are so grateful to our community and our many partners, who have supported us to this point in the journey.

Ngā mihi nui ki a tātou katoa

This is "Dr Roger Maaka - Te Rongo o Whatumā Project Summary" by Locales on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

11/11/2025

Have your say on the future direction of the Central Hawkes Bay Museum in this survey

You have three more days to give your feedback on your museum!

Go here: https://letstalkchb.co.nz/central-hawkes-bay-museum-survey

03/10/2025

Mōrena koutou! We had a wonderful day yesterday reconnecting with the Lake through our Rewilding Whatumā workshops.

We studied water samples, released plants, shared pūrakau (stories and legends of the lake), and learnt more about the different flora and fauna that call Whatumā home.

Ngā mihi nui to all who took part. We look forward to seeing you all at Whatumā again soon!

Hikitia te mauri! Whakakotahitia ai i te iwi!
Restore the mana of Whatumā! Reconnect the people!