News

A Call to Action to Protect Te Moana-tāpokopoko-a-Tāwhaki

Between Aotearoa New Zealand and Antarctica lies Te Moana-tāpokopoko-a-Tāwhaki, the Great Southern Ocean. It includes the Subantarctic Islands, the Ross Sea, and the World’s largest Marine Protected Area. But we urgently need international scientific cooperation that can support long-term protection of the region. Narrated by Tā Tipene O’Regan himself, this video is a call to action for our our national and international partners to work together in a Ross Sea Alliance to save one of the last wild places left to the Earth. Our vision for the Ross Sea Alliance is outlined in a recent paper we presented to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) in July 2024.

The video was made to coincide with a visit by the German Foreign Minister to New Zealand and the signing of a new cooperation agreement in Antarctic research. Germany is one of six nations that maintain Antarctic stations in the Ross Sea region, the others being New Zealand, the USA, Italy, South Korea, and China.

The film, featuring wildlife, stunning vistas and Rewi Davis’s visit to the Scott Base Pou Whenua, was produced by Anthony ‘Antz’ Powell together with Regina Eisert and Colin Aitchison (SkyWorks) as part of the Murihiku ki Te Tonga programme of Murihiku Regeneration. We gratefully acknowledge Boxfish Research Ltd. and in particular our partner Heritage Expeditions. We also thank Antarctica NZ, the US Antarctic Programme, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Primary Industries and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Posted: 6 May 2024

Murihiku Regeneration welcomes award winning French Chef - Sonia Bichet to New Zealand - A special experience in Bluff

Murihiku Regeneration welcomed Sonia Bichet, who was named France’s best craftsman (“Meilleure Ouvrière de France” – MOF) in 2023, to the region on Saturday 4 May, where she kicked off her New Zealand leg of her global tour. Sonia’s world tour project, entitled “20,000 places on the seas”, has a clear objective: to promote French craftsmanship around seafood products internationally.

Hosted by Murihiku Regeneration Portfolio Director and Hokonui Upoko – Terry Nicholas, Sonia is spending three days in the Southland region to better understand the people, followed by four days in Queenstown before heading to Nelson and Wellington.

Ngāi Tahu, the Southland region, and Murihiku Regeneration were seen as a ‘must visit’ destination because of the importance and connections of people, place, the sea, and also the value of strong future international partnerships.

Sonia is visiting New Zealand from 4-23 May, before heading to Japan for the final visit of her global adventure.

On Saturday, Sonia visited innovative aquaculture projects in Bluff and was hosted by Oyster Cove, where she was able to share her superb culinary skills with the assembled guests at a hosted event.

“We have been really happy to host Sonia on this part of her global tour. We want her to experience our hospitality, the strong connection our community and people have to the sea, and the ability to provide high quality seafood produce, and a place for culinary excellence. We hope she takes these experiences and memories back to France as she further develops her career as a world-class Chef.”

We would also like to thank Oyster Cove-Bluff, Ngai Tahu Seafood, and the community for supporting this visit, “ says Terry Nicholas.

“I had an amazing first day, thank you so much for this experience and opportunity,” confirmed Sonia Bichet on her first day in the region.

Sonia has already visited United Kingdom, Iceland, the United States, Canada, the French West Indies, Peru, Costa Rica, and Australia.

For those interested, you will find here attached a presentation of her world tour on her Instagram account. Sonia has made a very nice wrap up video (in French) and also from her Icelandic visit.

Hosted by Terry Nicholas, where Cyril Gilroy chairman of Waihōpai Runanga provided Sonia with a cultural experience, and Maria Pera MR cultural advisor arranged the visit to Oyster Cove restaurant, Stirling Pt at Bluff to provide distinguished guests with an international seafood experience.

Posted: 5 May 2024

Positive First Meeting with new Chair of Antarctic NZ around future collaboration

Today Murihiku Upoko - Ta Tipene O’Regan and Terry Nicholas met with the new Chair of Antarctic NZ, Leon Grice, and incoming Board Member Heather Simpson. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme, recent polar expeditions, and related partnership opportunities.

“It was an opportunity for us to share our view that the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme is a legitimate Iwi-led oceans research programme, linking to our treaty settlement zone of marine interest, and the need for us to work collaboratively in the national interest,” outlined Ta Tipene O’Regan, Upoko o Awarua Rūnaka.

‘It is an opportunity for us to develop science and innovation capabilities for our successive generations and for our rights and interests in this important region to be recognised and acknowledged,” said Terry Nicholas, Upoko o Hokonui Rūnanga.

The pair were hosted by Murihiku Upoko at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu and among the topics discussed was the need to build a collaborative approach between Murihiku Regeneration and Antarctic NZ. Another key discussion topic was the need to develop an Oceans and related science strategy that connects the Antarctic, with the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area, into the NZ Exclusive Economic Zone. The final area of the discussion focused around international partnerships that created opportunities in the science and innovation space.

“We shared details around our recent MKTT expeditions, also our recently submitted Murihiku ki te Tonga Science Endeavour Bid, which focuses on the Ocean connecting our takiwa to Antarctica. This is an area of strategic significance to both parties”, concluded Ta Tipene O’Regan.

The Murihiku ki te Tonga 2024 Endeavour proposal plans to take an integrated matauranga science ecosystem approach. This relates to the area that includes the Ngai Tahu maritime zone of interest, including Fiordland, Rakiura, the NZ Subantarctic Islands, and also the Ross Sea MPA and also Antarctica itself. As a result of the meeting, further explanation and understanding of the MKTT work programme, and how it might relate to ANZ priorities and future cooperation was agreed.

“We really appreciated the opportunity to meet with Ta Tipene and Terry Nicholas, to understand a Ngai Tahu perspective, and discuss how we might work together in the future. I look forward to furthering this opportunity”, said Leon Grice at the conclusion of the meeting.

Murihiku Upoko will be following up this first meeting, with a letter to the ANZ Chair to formalise the requests and action points discussed in this first meeting.

“It really was a very useful and positive first meeting”, said Ta Tipene at the close of the Hui.

Posted: 26 March 2024

Visiting the Scott Base Pou Whenua

R. Eisert, Rewi Davis

(article dated 19 Feb, visit took place on 18 Feb 2024)

Photo credit A. Powell

As part of the second research season of the Murihiku ki Te Tonga programme, Ngāi Tahu Team Lead, and Oraka Aparima representative Rewi Davis, visited Scott Base yesterday to pay respects to the Ngāi Tahu Pou Whenua.

The Pou Whenua was unveiled at Scott Base by then Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon, and then-PM John Key in January 2013. This visit forms part of a cultural and programme narrative, which links Te Waipounamu to the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands and into the Ross Sea Sector.

The Murihiku Expedition Team, consisting of Rewi Davis, Anthony Powell, and science lead Dr Regina Eisert, is travelling south on the Heritage Adventurer, a purpose-built 124-m long polar exploration vessel owned by Christchurch-based company Heritage Expeditions. Coming ashore in a zodiac at Hut Point, the site of Robert Falcon Scott’s first headquarters in Antarctica, the team walked through the US McMurdo Station and over the hill to Scott Base, a distance of about 3 km.

The Antarctic summer is already fading into autumn and the team walked into an extremely brisk wind that froze the breath on their balaclavas. But it was all worth it for the stunning views across the expanse of sea ice and the ethereal mountains beyond.

Taking a short cut via Hillary’s Track down the hill to Scott Base, the Team took a break in the TAE Hut, the original Scott Base set up by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1957 as part of his Transantarctic Expedition. The TAE Hut has been restored meticulously, from the giant coal stove in the kitchen to the period equipment in the radio room. As a poignant reminder, the bookshelf displayed a 1977 brochure from Air New Zealand advertising flights to Antarctica – for $245.

After some chocolate (meal of choice for Antarctic explorers), the Team visited the Pou Whenua, outlined in the morning sun and Rewi shared a simple Karakia to acknowledge the moment.

Kia hora Marino

Kia whakapapa pounamu te moana

Hei huarahi mā tatou I te rangi nei

Aroha atu aroha mai

Tātou I a tatou katoa

Hui e Taiki e!

May peace be widespread

May the sea be like greenstone

A pathway for all of us!

Let us show respect for each other

Bind us all together!

“Being able to come and pay our respects to the Pou Whenua was important for our team. It was an amazing opportunity and experience, and not one I will soon forget” confirmed Rewi Davis.

Toiling back up the hill, the team was picked up by a kind person in a very large red truck, who took them back to the ship’s landing in wonderful comfort. After a quick tour of Scott’s historic hut, the team rejoined the ship to continue their expedition.

Photo credit R. Eisert

************
Stuff Article about the Pou Whenua from 2013:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8200978/Ngai-Tahu-carving-unveiled-in-Antarctica

the article does not name the carver, I thought I saw in a Te Karaka article it was Faye Robinson

Ngai Tahu carving unveiled in Antarctica

January 21, 2013, • 02:56am

New Zealand’s Maori links have been stamped firmly on Antarctica today with the unveiling of a pou whenua at Scott Base’s 56th birthday.

Ngai Tahu leader Sir Mark Solomon and Prime Minister John Key jointly uncovered the totara carving in a formal ceremony this morning with Scott Base staff and invited guests from the United States’ McMurdo Station.

As they removed the sleeping bag covering, the sun briefly shone and a patch of blue sky appeared above, a brief break in the constant snowfall that has blanketed the base since soon after the Prime Minister arrived on Friday.

Solomon joked with the crowd that the pou did not mean Ngai Tahu was about to lodge a claim on Antarctica.

”I thought I better reassure the Prime Minister that.”

He said it was a privilege that Ngai Tahu, as the southern-most iwi, was asked to carve the pou.

The pou, called Navigator of the Heavens, was made of totara from the West Coast, which he was confident would withstand the rigors of Antarctica’s harsh environment, despite it developing several cracks since its arrival on the frozen continent.

Key said the pou was a ”very meaningful addition” to the base.

”Scott Base has a place in the hearts and minds of New Zealanders even if they haven’t visited here. Maori culture is enshrined in who we are as New Zealanders and to have this representation here is a lovely touch.”

Two woven tukutuku panels were also unveiled, a project headed by Ngai Tahu master weaver Ranui Ngarimu, kaiawhina to Sir Mark.

One panel symbolised Maori ancestors interwoven with New Zealanders who had died in Antarctica, including the 257 passengers and crew killed in the 1979 Mt Erebus plane crash.

The other paid tribute to the scientific work ongoing on the southern-most continent.

West Coast weavers from Arahuru, Ngai Tahu’s main pounamu site, wove the tukutuku but Scott Base staff also helped, Ngarimu said.

Antarctica New Zealand chief executive Lou Sanson said about a third of his staff at the base were military and many were Maori.

Several years ago, the issue was raised of enhancing the cultural identity of New Zealand’s Antarctic base, which led to the pou’s inception.

A new carved wooden sign for Scott Base was also unveiled today.

Scott Base’s asset management team leader, Johno Leitch, said staff had to use jackhammers to dig a metre-deep hole, filling it with concrete to ensure the pou could withstand the strong winds that can batter Scott Base.

This afternoon, Key will visit the Dry Valleys to view scientific research underway there and also a penguin colony, which he had visited before but said he wanted to show his wife, Bronagh, who has joined him on his trip to the frozen continent.

Key said improving weather had boosted his chances of flying to the South Pole tomorrow but he was awaiting a final decision.

- The Press

Photo credit R. Eisert

Posted: 19 February 2024

MRAQ24 Mission Completed – First Southern Ocean Expedition Team return to Bluff on 4 February 2024

MRAQ24A, the designation given to the six person Murihiku Regeneration Team, that deployed on the 124 m vessel - Heritage Adventurer into the Southern Ocean and Ross Sea Sector, returned to Bluff on 4 February 2024, after 24 days at sea. The purpose of the expedition was to build capability, capacity for Murihiku Hapū members, undertake a range of science and research projects, and also to take a more active an engaageed presence in and around the NZ SubAntarctic Islands. For Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, these islands form part of the maritime zone of interest that is referenced and acknolwedged in the Ngāi Tahu Settlement Act, 1998.

Photos taken by Colin Aitchison

The MRAQ24A team gathered at SouthPort on 5 February to undertake a quick debrief on the expedition, including to discuss lessons learned, and to also hand over these learnings to the MRAQ24B Team Leader, Rewi Davis from Oraka Aparima for the February-March deployment.

“It was an awesome experience, one I will never forget,” stated Luka Finn (Hokonui) recounting his time onboard with the team.

Photos taken by Colin Aitchison

“There is so much opportunity and potential for Murihiku Hapū, Ngāi Tahu and our whānau to gain by building on this experience. There are a whole range of projects and activities that we can develop for future trips,” confirmed Riki Parata, the MRAQ24 Team Leader.

“The Heritage (Expeditions) Team on the Adventurer were very professional, supportive of our science work, and I would like to thank them for their commitment in making the trip possible,” said Karlee Nicholas (Hokonui) of his time onboard.Image taken of the crew on the deck of the Heritage Adventurer

Nathan Russ, Heritage Adventurer Operations Manager for the January 2024 voyage comments that, “it was our pleasure to host the Murihiku Regeneration team onboard. The passengers and crew enjoyed the opportunity to share and learn from them as they went about their work.”

As a result of the expedition, project and expedition reporting will be completed and shared with others, and thinking will occur around the next projects and expedition work that will be completed as a part of the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme.

“The work we have done on the Subantarctic Islands where we landed will be invaluable. We are looking to pull together a comprehensive framework of information that will reference and inform future projects on these islands,” said Riki Parata about the cultural assessments completed so far.

Photos taken by Colin Aitchison

“This is just the start of our work. The cultural assessment work, the marine mammal research and building up our capability; it will all help to develop this research programme into something that will make a big difference for us,” said Riki Nicholas, the Murihiku Ki Te Tonga Programme Director.

Posted: 9 February 2024