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From policy to infrastructure; traditional knowledge to harnessing the power of community action. The Manukau Harbour Symposium on Saturday 31 May will showcase thinking, solutions and opportunities for New Zealand’s second-biggest harbour.
Keynote speaker and thought leader Cassie Roma will show how communities can open hearts and minds to connect to the environment and work together to create cultures of care between people, systems and pathway.
Regnerative specialists Johnie Freeland (Ngāti Te Ata Waiohua, Ngāi Tūhoe) and Charmaine Bailie (Te Uri o Hau – Ngāti Whātua o Kaipara) will reflect on restoring and healing the whenua in large scale and local projects. Scientist Peter Nuttall will speak on climate change impacts in the South Pacific and its impact on coastal and marae communities here in the harbour, while Dr Rashi Parker of Birdcare Aotearoa will reflect on the contribution of seabirds to resilient populations and how we can start to solve the impacts of human activity on their wellbeing.
The work of our rangitahi to create genuine outcomes for the harbour, through the Rangitahi Environmental Action Leaders program will be highlighted and in a section of intergenerational stories we will hear from those who love and spend time on the harbour including Coastguard, the Portage Crossing Trust, Pest Free South Auckland, Awhitu Landcare, SeaCleaners, and more.
Attendees will learn about Auckland Council work programs and Scientist Dr Megan Carbine will highlight Auckland Council’s latest environmental monitoring data while Cr Richard Hills from Auckland Council will present on the National Environment Strategy work program.
Myself and the rest of the Forum members are excited to be bringing this event to the shores of the Manukau. There’s a great range of speakers and there should be lots of opportunity to catch up with other people doing great work around the Harbour
There will also be a range of community displays, and the Watercare Central Interceptor Travelling Discovery Centre and Auckland Council Marine Biosecurity trailer will be featured.
The day will be hosted by MC Mandy Kupenga, and the Symposium will also announce recipients of the ‘Ngaa Tohu o te Manukau – Celebrating Harbour Champions’ Awards, which recognise individuals, stakeholders, organisations or community groups for their work to protect and restore the mauri of the harbour.
One week before the Symposium the Manukau Harbour Forum will also host a clean-up and restoration event, the Love Your Harbour Day, at Island Road, Māngere. This event is held with the support of Te Motu a Hiaroa Charitable Trust, Auckland Council and SeaCleaners, and targets one of the worst sites for illegal dumping in the region.
The Manukau Harbour Symposium will be held on Saturday 31 May in the Auditorium at Green Bay High School.
The Symposium is supported by the Manukau Harbour Forum, a joint committee formed by the nine local boards of Auckland Council that surround the harbour. It advocates for better resourcing and a focus on this taonga.