Ngā Whenua Rāhui (NWR)
He aha tēnei kaupapa? | What is Ngā Whenua Rāhui?
Ngā Whenua Rāhui (NWR) is a Crown programme administered by the Department of Conservation that supports tangata whenua to protect and care for Māori-owned land with significant natural, cultural, and spiritual values—while the whenua remains in Māori ownership and control.
Ngā Whenua Rāhui is working in partnership with Muriwhenua Incorporation under a 25‑year kawenata, recognising our rangatiratanga and enabling us to act as kaitiaki of our whenua, ngahere, wai, and taonga species.
Te Kawenata o Muriwhenua | The Muriwhenua Kawenata
The Muriwhenua Ngā Whenua Rāhui Kawenata was signed in February 2008 and covers approximately 1,076 hectares of Māori freehold land north‑west of Te Hāpua (area highlighted in green).
The kawenata provides a framework for how this whenua is cared for, with agreed objectives and includes:
- Protecting and restoring indigenous ngahere and taiao
- Safeguarding wāhi tapu, cultural and spiritual values
- Maintaining the natural landscape and coastal character
- Supporting recreational use by owners and descendants, where consistent with protection goals; and
- Giving effect to a true partnership between the Crown and tangata whenua, recognising the mana whenua of Muriwhenua Incorporation.
Importantly, the kawenata does not transfer ownership of the land. Decisions about access, use, and tikanga remain with the Incorporation.
Te Kaupapa NWR o Ināianei | Current Ngā Whenua Rāhui Project
Each year, Muriwhenua Incorporation works alongside Ngā Whenua Rāhui under a Management of Works Agreement that supports practical conservation mahi on our kawenata lands.
For the 2025–2026 year, this kaupapa focuses on:
Pest control to protect native species and fragile ecosystems
Strengthening fencing to keep stock and feral animals out of sensitive areas.
Supporting the long term health of the ngahere so manu, including tūī and kererū, can thrive again
This work is guided by tikanga, mātauranga Māori, and local knowledge passed down through generations.
Ngā Wāhi Matua o te Kaupapa | Key Project Areas
The Ngā Whenua Rāhui work at Muriwhenua is focused on several priority areas within our rohe. These areas hold special ecological and cultural value.
Maungapiko
Maungapiko is a tipuna maunga and is one of the most sensitive parts of the kawenata area. It is home to rare native flora, including important Pupukōrari sites. Protection efforts here are focused on reducing the impact of pests and preventing damage from stock and feral animals, helping the ngahere regenerate naturally.
Te Huka
Another priority area sits inland toward Te Hika, where targeted conservation work supports ongoing pest control and fencing improvements. This helps protect biodiversity and maintain the integrity of wāhi tapu and culturally significant landscapes.
Te Rohe Whānui o Muriwhenua
Across the wider kawenata area, ongoing maintenance supports the health of over 1,000 hectares of protected Māori land, reinforcing Muriwhenua Inc role as kaitiaki for generations to come.
He aha te hua? | What are we seeing?
While this mahi takes time, there are encouraging signs with increased birdsong and sightings (particularly tūī and kererū), regeneration of native ngahere where pressure from pests is reduced and better protection of wāhi tapu and culturally significant sites. Challenges remain, including pest pressure and impacts from feral animals.
He mea nui kia mōhio | What shareholders should know
Ngā Whenua Rāhui supports, but does not control, our whenua. Muriwhenua Incorporation retains authority over land use, access, and tikanga. NWR funding supports conservation mahi that aligns with our values and aspirations. More significantly this kaupapa is about intergenerational stewardship, not short term gain. Hei kaitiakitanga o nga taonga tuku iho mo tatou whakatupuranga.
He tiro whakamua | Looking ahead
Ngā Whenua Rāhui is part of a wider vision for Muriwhenua whenua to restore our taiao, protect our taonga, and ensure our mokopuna inherit whenua that is healthy, resilient, and alive with birdsong.