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These milestone translocations come as Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari brings together mana whenua, landowners, volunteers, supporters, partners and the wider community for its Annual General Meeting and 25-year celebration event.
The occasion reflects on a quarter-century of collective achievement while also looking ahead to the future through the sanctuary’s emerging 1,000-Year Plan with a focus on intergenerational protection and restoration.
Ngāti Koroki Kahukura alongside Ngāti Hauā, Raukawa and Waikato, maintain deep and enduring connections with Maungatautari as a treasured tūpuna and guide the sanctuary’s direction.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari co-chair and Ngāti Koroki Kahukura representative Norma Taute says the anniversary is a celebration of what can be achieved when a community comes together.
“Twenty-five years ago, restoring an entire mountain ecosystem seemed impossible. Today, Maungatautari stands as proof of what can be achieved when mana whenua, landowners, scientists, volunteers, staff, funders and community supporters come together around a common purpose and shared vision.”
“For mana whenua, Maungatautari is a tūpuna. The restoration of this maunga has always been about restoring the health and mauri of the maunga, strengthening our connection to place, honouring our responsibilities as kaitiaki and working together through kotahitanga. Today, the maunga sings again because people chose to share the dream, and that is something we can all be proud of.”
Hughes agrees that people have always been at the heart of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.
“Celebrating 25 years is about recognising how far we’ve come and acknowledging all the countless people who have contributed to making it happen. It has been, and continues to be, a journey of innovation and determination, and while at times very challenging, it is incredibly inspiring. Without question it is the relentless passion and commitment of the community of supporters who have enabled us to get to where we are today.”
“The arrival of these new kākāpō and Mahoenui giant wētā speaks to the positive progress we are making here and across Aotearoa, and we look ahead with purpose to the next 25 years, 1,000 years and beyond.”
