Mana whenua (people with customary authority over land) have been grappling with the environmental collapse of Lake Ōmāpere in the north of New Zealand. The situation is of immense significance to us and Ngāpuhi-nuitonu (Northland tribes and sub-tribes). Use of the lake resource is determined by the health of the lake; the health of the lake and the health of people are intertwined.
A restoration strategy was developed in 2005. This article provides some context for the key issues relating to the Lake Ōmāpere situation, discusses the community action approach taken and describes a climate of environmental mobilization where mana whenua knowledge and experiences are at the forefront of restoration. The account highlights the complex and multi-faceted nature of approaches to restore the ecological sustainability of these important waterways.
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