Kāwhia Trust Installs Barrier to Protect Vunerable Kaimoana Beds and Shorebird Nests

Kāwhia kaitiaki are taking a firm stand to protect their traditional pātaka kai (food basket) by blocking vehicle access to sensitive coastal areas. Onepū Charitable Trust has begun installing a wooden pole barrier at Kāwhia Beach near Maketū marae, a move intended to permanently stop motorised vehicles from driving over pipi beds and seabird nesting sites. The trust confirmed the barrier would be fully closed from the Saturday of Labour Weekend. Trust chair Horahaere Daisy Scott stated the closure is a necessary measure to safeguard the environment. According to Scott, vehicles and motorbikes have severely damaged the lagoon at Te Ārai o Te Wiwini, which has historically sustained generations of the local community. She noted that while the beach remains open to walkers and horses, the trust has "no choice" but to block vehicles to prevent the total destruction of kaimoana stocks, including kōkota and tuatua. Merv Ranga, a 74-year-old kaumātua for the Onepū Charitable Trust who was raised in Kāwhia, expressed deep concern over the depletion of local resources. Ranga reported that where the community once gathered sacks of pipi for the marae, the beds are now dying. He noted that other species such as butterfish, oysters, flounder, and whitebait have also seen significant declines due to habitat disruption. The initiative is supported by local environmental group Te Taiao o Kāwhia Moana. Member Rod Barnett highlighted that scientists have advised the only way for the kaimoana to recover is to leave it undisturbed. While the Ōtorohanga District Council has raised concerns regarding the legality of poles placed below the high-tide mark, the trust maintains that the action is vital to protect their inheritance for future generations. The trust previously presented a petition with 600 signatures to the council seeking alternative access routes to Ocean Beach.