Stephens Bay A person explores Stephens Bay in Nelson, New Zealand. © Oliver Weber/www.nelsontasman.nz
With increasing climate instability and biodiversity in crisis, the Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance (KMTT) is championing a new way forward to protect and enhance the characteristics that make the top of New Zealand’s South Island so unique. KMTT has a plan to protect this unique landscape and its treasured species—to turn the tide on catastrophic climate change by tackling invasive species, restoring lowlands, and helping marine ecosystems to thrive.
Quote: Martin Rodd
We need to kickstart biodiversity by changing our land management system.
Martin Rodd, co-chair of KMTT, says KMTT’s Strategy Implementation Pathway Plan (SIPP) shows that unique and vulnerable species and ecosystems in the top of the South can be restored for the long term.
“We need to kickstart biodiversity by changing our land management system. KMTT's way forward uses nature-based solutions to re-imagine traditional land uses and new financial tools to make these initiatives viable. By controlling predators and ungulates, planting trees to hold soil and capture carbon, restoring wetlands on marginal land and restoring shellfish beds, we see a way for nature and people to work together for the greater good.”
KMTT Iwi Co-chair Hemi Sundgren says that by harnessing the energy of iwi leadership, community commitment and nature-based solutions, KMTT can see a resilient, sustainable future for the top of the South.
“Our pathway forward has been co-designed by iwi, whānau, local communities and KMTT partners,” says Hemi. “Our published plan, the SIPP, recognises the opportunities for iwi to play a unique role in supporting the leadership of this kaupapa, in a way that lays the foundations and confidence to blend Mātauranga Māori with Western science and technology. We need to build capacity and resilience across communities, landscapes and coastal waters, the SIPP provides the basis for this to happen collectively, no one can do this on their own.”
KMTT Programme Manager Debs Martin says it is important to be clear about priorities and that access to sustainable funding and resources is key to the success of environmental restoration in the region.
“We are developing a robust finance and resourcing strategy to transform the way we fund restoration of our natural world and ensure we get the best outcomes. We hope it will encourage people to show their support and join us on this journey.”
The SIPP prioritises:
- Restoring and protecting landscapes and connecting ecosystems: Achieving 15% healthy native cover through habitat restoration, planting, and weed and pest control.
- Restoring marine ecosystems: Taking a ki uta ki tai (mountains to sea) approach to management and prioritising shellfish restoration, support a restorative blue economy, and control sediment.
- Helping native species thrive: Ensuring healthy forests and uplands through controlling predators and wilding conifers and managing browsing animals at a landscape scale.
- Te Kāhui Tangaroa: Affirming iwi restoration leadership across our region and supporting iwi-led projects.
These priorities build on and connect the work already being done by community catchment groups, weed and pest control teams, and work by councils, government agencies like the Department of Conservation (DOC) and community trusts.
The plan identifies some key projects such as restoring native plant communities in Northwest Nelson by controlling problem ungulates (particularly goats), working towards a predator-free region, restoring shellfish in coastal waters, and building an empowered and engaged community. While each project individually contributes to biodiversity, their collective impact and the way that we will work together with new tools and approaches will be transformational.
Debs notes the importance of farmers, landowners, forestry practitioners, fishers, the rural community and fishing industry in the plan's success. “They are the stewards of some of the largest areas of land and water across our 3.4 million hectares, facing some of the biggest challenges. We will work with those communities to identify collaborative solutions for nature-positive outcomes.”
“Community and iwi empowerment is vital to restoring nature in our region,” says Debs. “We are creating opportunities for people to participate, lead actions and contribute to climate resilience. This includes community hubs supporting group activities, growing our restorative community, and providing back-office services, expertise, advice, and research hubs integrating Mātauranga Māori and Western science.”
KMTT developed the SIPP with support from The Nature Conservancy Aotearoa New Zealand (TNC NZ) and contributions from KMTT iwi and government partners, stakeholders and supporters.
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