Stepping into a space that is normally occupied by government agencies and councils, Ngāi Tahu hosted a public hui to consult with community members interested in the future of the Morning Star Beach Recreation Reserve in Tāhuna (Queenstown).

Jana Davis, co-chair of the Mana Whenua Komiti for Morning Star Reserve, says he was pleased to have the opportunity to connect with local residents and conservation and recreation groups to hear their aspirations for the vested area and the wider reserve.

“Many of the community groups share our vision of restoring the whenua [land], removing exotic pest species and enhancing native plantings, and they are already doing some great mahi in the reserves within the Kimiākau [Shotover] catchment. Our goal is to build a reserve management plan that provides the opportunity for Kāi Tahu [Ngāi Tahu] whānau to connect to this place,” Davis says.

“Although the vested area of the reserve is relatively small and includes significant built infrastructure, it remains a site of strategic importance. It provides Kāi Tahu whānau with a unique opportunity to demonstrate our capability in reserve management while reconnecting with the whenua, improving it for our generation and those generations to come.”