Rugby League Legend Tāwera Nikau Advocates for Taonga Species at National Hui

Former rugby league international Tāwera Nikau has transitioned from the sporting arena to the front lines of environmental conservation, taking up a vital role in protecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s threatened taonga species. Speaking with Dale Husband on Radio Waatea on Friday, 4 September 2026, Nikau shared insights from the recently held Endangered Species National Hui in Kirikiriroa. The event brought together iwi leaders, scientists, and rangatahi to address the confronting reality that nearly 4,000 native species are currently classified as threatened or at risk. As the co-chair of Tāngaro Tuia te Ora, the Endangered Species Foundation, Nikau is championing a restoration model that places mātauranga Māori at its heart. The Foundation reports that the crisis is particularly acute in our waterways, where 89 percent of native freshwater fish—including tuna and īnanga—are under threat. Nikau emphasized that protecting these individual species is impossible without a holistic approach to restoring the entire ecosystem, including whenua, wetlands, and waterways. For Nikau, this mission is grounded in his personal connection to the land. His whānau farm in North Waikato sits adjacent to Lake Waikare, where he is actively involved in practical restoration work. This includes managing invasive species like koi carp and using modern technology such as water sensors to monitor the health of the wai. His efforts reflect a deep commitment to kaitiakitanga, moving beyond statistics to focus on the interconnectedness of people and the environment. Inducted as a Legend of League for his professional career and known for his resilience after personal adversity, Nikau is now directing his trademark determination toward a sustainable future. He maintains that Māori environmental knowledge is essential to finding solutions, noting that the loss of biodiversity is not just a scientific concern, but a loss of connection to the history and identity of the land.