Newsletter Update: May, 2006

We the Ngati Whare Iwi are the Kaitiaki ( guardians) of the Whirinaki and all its treasure. Our ancestors have lived in this rich valley for around one thousand years. The forest and its resources have always been both our food source and our medicine cupboard.

We have much richness to share. Kaitiakitanga is a sustainabilty program that our school is running in partnership with our community, the Department of Conservation.and many others. We are determined to ensure that the forest, the river, our language, our culture and all our wisdom is protected and passed on to future generations in a better state than we received it.

We have a new battle on to save the forest - against the pests like possums, rats, stoats, cats, weeds, people and activities that destroy the natural balance of the forest. We invite you to join the army of conservation and other volunteers who support us in ensuring the sustainability of this precious ecology..

We the children of the Whirinaki are the future Kaitiaki (guardians) of the forest.? We are doing some radical things in our School and community to make sure that our forest, culture and wisdom is preserved and shared for ever. - Sustainability, ecology, environmental restoration, endangered species.( eg Kiwi)