ECO Conference 2018: Communities Protecting Nature
ECO CONFERENCE 2018: Pukemokimoki Marae, Napier
7 to 9 September
Communities Protecting Nature: Practice, Policy and Law
NEW: See updated programme below as at 31 August and attached as a PDF. This includes information on Field Trips. The programme and speakers can be seen below.
Our conference sessions included discussion on enhanced ecosystem- and place-based fisheries and marine management and how the public can be better included.
We discussed how we can ramp up work and improve networks to protect the environment from risks from weeds, pathogens, predators and marine invasive species.
Community action and policy development work to protect native species and ecosystems, climate change law and action, and regional, local and national community efforts on better land use, improved water management and kaitiakitanga of ecosystems, are all part of the programme.
Speakers included
Hapu and iwi, community groups, land-based producers and many others are on the programme. and amongst the Speakers included:
Hon David Parker, Minister for the Environment
Hon Stuart Nash, Minister of Fisheries who will be talking with us about better management of New Zealand fisheries.
Dr Mike Joy, Senior Researcher, School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington
James Palmer, Chief Executive, Hawkes Bay Regional Council
Dr Christine Cheyne, Associate Professor, School of People, Environment and Planning, Massey University
Te Atarangi Sayers, Nga Hapu o Motiti
Jenny Mauger, Te Kaiao: Natural Resource Solutions
Cindy Baxter, Coal Action Network Aotearoa
Dr Wren Green, Environmental Consultant and Biodiversity specialist
Peter Weir, President NZ Forest Owners Association (Environmental Manager, Ernslaw One Ltd)
Oliver Wade, Marine Scientist, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
- Scott Macindoe, LegaSea
Thanks to DOC, Biosecurity NZ and the Hawke's Bay Regional Council for their tremendous support.
Further information on the Conference on our Facebook site or on Instagram
Our thanks to Hawke's Bay Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and Biosecurity New Zealand for their generous support for our conference.
Thanks to support from:
Greta and Abi from Hapi Clean Kai Co-Operative have generously offered to lead the catering and are providing their skills and time for a koha
Chantal Organics
Bostock Organics
Bay Espresso
Cornucopia
EIT Horticultural Students
- Kitchen volunteers
Final Programme
The final Programme is below and see also the pdf version.
Field Trips:
The Sunday morning field trips to:
1. Ahuriri Estuary - 
The remnant of the extensive pre-1931 earthquake lagoon close to urban and industrial areas.
Ahuriri Estuary and its associated biodiversity are subject to many threats and these include poor water quality, invasive organisms and pressure from increased active recreation. These are a challenge for all concerned to manage. A new restoration and management plan is in its final planning stages.
This is a 10-minute drive North from Pukemokimoki venue.
An hour and a half flat walk around the southern part of the estuary with commentary.
Guided by John Cheyne. Based in Hawke’s Bay since 1987, John has spent the last 5 decades working throughout NZ on conservation of wildlife and their habitat for a number of agencies including the Wildlife Service, DoC, Fish and Game, regional and district councils.
See also:
https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/hawkes-bay/projects/hotspot-projects/ahuriri-estuary-hotspot/
https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/assets/Document-Library/Fact-Sheets/waitangifeatureadv3.pdf
2. Waitangi Park: Ecological Enhancement and Celestial Compass
https://www.hbrc.govt.nz/assets/Document-Library/Fact-Sheets/waitangifeatureadv3.pdf
A 15minute drive South at Clive. This is where the three main Hawke’s Bay rivers meet the sea: Tukituki, Ngaruroro, Tutaekuri and Karamu Stream- Clive Rive. An area rich in history which has undergone ecological enhancement since 2000.
The newly constructed Star Compass, Atea a Rangi, incorporates the whakapapa and knowledge of celestial navigation and astronomy into the pou design.
Guided by tangata whenua ,members of the Atea Trust and kaitiaki of Operation Patiki of Kohupatiki marae.