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Te Rongo o Whatumā

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Te Rongo o Whatumā

Working to restore Te Rongo o Whatumā. Hikitia te mauri! Whakakotahitia ai i te iwi! He wiri tuna ki Whatumā e ware ai te waha! Whakakotahitia ai te iwi!

A shoal of eels at Whatumā is mouthwatering to behold! The ultimate aim of WMG is to establish a self-sustaining environmental management organisation, that is responsible for the management of a 100 year revitalisation programme and all associated activities centred on, and related to Whatumā.

18/09/2026

Ka pai te rā i Whatumā i tēnei rā! 🌿

We had an awesome crew out at the lake today - kai mahi from Tamatea Pōkai Whenua, Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Central Hawke's Bay District Council, plus local legend Russ Smith, all pitching in together.

Between us we potted 35 trays (just under 1000 plants!) of wīwī and pūkio - the unsung heroes of wetland restoration. Wīwī helps filter out nitrates and is a magnet for native birds and insects, while the dense root systems in pūkio hold the banks together, filter runoff, and choke out w**ds before they get a look-in. Great mahi for Whatumā.

Russ also gave the front entrance a tidy-up with the w**d eater - looking sharp!

Plenty of laughs and great company today - this mahi is always better together. 🙌 Thank you Bernie, our nursery manager, for making this happen!

Ngā mihi kia koutou katoa.

Mā tini, mā mano, ka rapa te whai - by many, by thousands, the work will be accomplished.

📅 Next Friday we're doing some hand releasing - cutting back the grass around the base of each plant to give them room to grow. Come on down if you'd like to lend a hand! Bring a packed lunch, gloves, and sturdy shoes. 10:00am - 2:00pm.

19/08/2026

He pānui ki ngā whānau o Whatumā 🌿

Te Rongo o Whatumā warmly invites whānau of Rākautātahi, Mataweka, Te Rongo o Tahu and Te Tapairu Marae to join us for our next Whatumā wānanga.

This first wānanga is specifically for whānau who whakapapa to Whatumā, ensuring that mana whenua whakaaro and aspirations provide the foundation for the work ahead. There will be further opportunities for our wider community, restoration groups, technical advisors and project partners to contribute as the programme progresses.

We are entering the next stage of the restoration journey for Whatumā and want our whānau whakaaro at the heart of it.

What does a healthy Whatumā look like to us? What tohu will tell us the mauri of Whatumā is improving? What should be growing and living there? What should we be able to do there? And how will we know if the mauri is improving?

Come along, share your whakaaro and help shape how we restore, care for and monitor Whatumā for generations to come.

📅 Saturday 29 August
🕙 10am - 2pm
📍 Mataweka Marae

Wānanga, kai and a hikoi down to Whatumā.

Hikitia te mauri! Whakakotahitia te iwi!
Restore. Revitalise. Reconnect.

Please share with your whānau who whakapapa to Whatumā and like this post so we have an indication of numbers for catering.

Mauri ora 🌿

26/06/2026

Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai, haere mai ki te whārangi o Te Rongo o Whatumā 👋🌿

A warm welcome to all of the new people who have recently started following our page. We are really pleased to have you here as part of the growing kaupapa to restore and revitalise Whatumā.

If you are interested in getting involved, we are now establishing a regular Whatumā volunteer day to support practical restoration and on-site mahi at the lake.

📍 Whatumā volunteer day
Every Friday
10.00am – 3.00pm

If you are interested in volunteering and have not already registered, please complete our Whatumā Volunteer Form here:
https://forms.gle/vt4Cd5FN2HJfMh7k9

If you are based further away or are unable to take part in hands-on mahi at the lake, we would still love to hear from you. There may also be opportunities to support the kaupapa through administrative or behind-the-scenes volunteer work.

Please also share our page with others who may be interested in following or supporting the kaupapa:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090056421811

You will also see below this post an invitation to our upcoming community planting day at Whatumā on Friday 17 July, 10.00am - 2.00pm. We would love to see you there!!

Ngā mihi nui 💚

05/06/2026

Tēnā tātou!!

He rā whakahirahira tēnei mō Whatumā.

Yesterday we celebrated a major milestone in the journey of Whatumā with the signing of the Whatumā Accord. Years of kōrero, relationship-building, planning and commitment have led to this moment, bringing partners together under a shared vision for the future wellbeing of the lake and surrounding wetlands.

The Accord reflects a shared commitment to work together to restore, protect and enhance the cultural, environmental, social and economic wellbeing of Whatumā for generations to come.

We acknowledge the many people who have contributed their time, knowledge, passion and leadership to this kaupapa. While yesterday was a milestone worth celebrating, it also marks the beginning of the next chapter as we continue working together towards a thriving Whatumā.

Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei.

29/05/2026

Join us as Te Rongo o Whatumā, the Department of Conservation, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, and Central Hawke’s Bay District Council come together to formally sign the Whatumā Accord.

The Accord brings together Te Rongo o Whatumā and the statutory bodies with responsibilities for Whatumā and provides a framework for collaboration, coordination, and shared commitment to the long-term restoration of the lake. Together, the partners will align planning, funding, delivery, and monitoring efforts in support of a healthy lake, thriving ecosystems, and connected communities for generations to come.

If you are interested in the kaupapa and available, we warmly invite you to join us.

📍 306 Racecourse Road, Waipukurau
🕘 9:00am – 10:00am
📅 Thursday 4 June 2026

22/05/2026

He rā whakahirahira inanahi i te Whatumā Volunteer Launch & Induction Day! 🌿

It was amazing to see such a strong turnout from our partners and community as we continue moving forward together in this kaupapa and formalising relationships with Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, Department of Conservation, and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council.

Ngā mihi nui to Mauri Oho, DOC, HBRC, and CHBDC for supporting the day through hands-on activities, kōrero, and media support.

One community member shared that being at the lake gave them a real feeling of tau - a sense of calm. Another said signing up as a volunteer made them feel part of a community. Those moments really reflect what this kaupapa is all about - he kaupapa e hono ai te tangata ki te taiao, ki te hapori hoki.

Yesterday felt like another important milestone as we continue to see the hard mahi unfolding on the ground and people connecting through a shared vision for Whatumā.

Ngā mihi ki a koutou katoa who came along in support of the kaupapa, and also to those who were there in spirit.

Watch this space for professional photos still to come - thanks to Central Hawke's Bay District Council

We will be in touch soon with those who signed up to volunteer.

20/05/2026

Kia ora tātou e te whānau!

We’re really looking forward to our Lake Whatumā Volunteer Programme Launch and Induction Day āpōpō. The afternoon will include a mix of hands-on activities, site-based learning, and opportunities to connect with the kaupapa and the people involved in the restoration of Whatumā.

To everyone who has already clicked “Going” — ngā mihi nui, we look forward to seeing you there!

If you are still wanting to come along, please make sure you click “Going” on the event so we have an indication of numbers.

And if you can’t make this one, kaua e māharahara — there will be plenty more opportunities to get involved as the volunteer programme continues to grow.

Hikitia te mauri! Whakakotahitia ai i te iwi!
Revitalise the life force! Bring the people together!

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.

Address

Racecourse Road
Waipukurau

Telephone

+6421817973

Website

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