Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke have embarked on a large-scale predator and pest plant species control programme.

A three-year restoration project ‘He Rau Ringa e Oti Ai‘, led by Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke Inc (the Rūnanga) in partnership with Living Springs and Conservation Volunteers NZ is now underway.

The project will focus on predator and pest (plant) species control and planting at a range of sites around Whakaraupō with an initial focus on land around Rāpaki and at Living Springs, with more sites likely to be added during the project.

John Kottier has been appointed by the Rūnanga as Programme Manager for the project. 

John has spent the past few decades in the tourism industry but also has experience working in hapū and iwi initiatives including in environmental restoration.

He also helps lead the Rāpaki tangata tiaki work aimed at restoring the mauri of Whakaraupō so it is once again a harbour where our communities can connect with and ‘get a feed’.

John grew up at Rāpaki and is the son of Dawn Kottier QSM.

Many of you will remember Aunty Dawn from her work in our local communities including on the community board, working to redesign playgrounds, championing community safety, caring for youth and community arts, working to improve the water quality in Whakaraupō, and helping establish the Whakaraupō Carving Centre.

John is proud to help continue her legacy and to get out of the Office and help lead the mahi ‘from the front’.

Photo credit: Sam Barrow