More than 50 people from across Te Tauihu came together recently for the Changing Waters Workshop, a day dedicated to strengthening relationships, sharing knowledge, and identifying opportunities for collaboration in the face of ongoing environmental change.
Facilitated by Miranda Cassidy-O’Connell, the workshop brought together representatives from the Department of Conservation (DOC), Tasman District Council (TDC), Nelson City Council (NCC), Marlborough District Council (MDC), New Zealand Landcare Trust (NZLT), TeTauIhu Environment Trust (TET), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)Tasman Bay Guardians (TBG), iwi and mana whenua representatives, catchment groups, citizen scientists, and community restoration practitioners from across the region.
The day began with a Karakia and opening kōrero from Reverend Harvey Ruru, setting the tone for a gathering focused on connection, collective learning, and shared responsibility for the health of our waterways.
A unique whakawhanaungatanga exercise invited participants to imagine the workshop space as a map of Te Tauihu, positioning themselves according to their connection to water. As people introduced themselves and shared their stories, the room quickly filled with the diversity of experiences, places, and perspectives that make up our freshwater community.
To build a shared understanding of recent progress, participants worked together to create a timeline of key milestones, projects, and achievements in waterway restoration and monitoring from February 2024 through to today. The timeline highlighted the enormous amount of work taking place across the region and the growing connections between organisations, iwi, agencies, community groups, and volunteers.
A series of spotlight presentations then showcased the breadth of freshwater work underway across Te Tauihu. Speakers shared insights from projects ranging from iwi-led restoration initiatives and catchment monitoring programmes to citizen science efforts, habitat restoration, and collaborative freshwater management.
Reflecting on these stories and the collective timeline, participants explored what the past two years have taught us and what those lessons mean for how we work together moving forward. Common themes emerged around the importance of partnership, knowledge sharing, resourcing, and maintaining momentum in the face of increasing environmental pressures.
Attention then turned to the present, with participants examining the global, national, and local trends influencing both our environment and communities. Through facilitated discussions, groups identified key challenges and explored the actions already underway to address them. Just as importantly, participants considered what each organisation could offer to support regional outcomes and what future aspirations they hoped to pursue together.
Following a magnificent lunch prepared by Syd Eru and Scott Keen (paua fritters were just one of the tasty morsels on the menu), the focus shifted to the future. Building on the insights gathered throughout the morning, participants identified a number of collaborative priorities for Te Tauihu and discussed how organisations can work together more effectively to achieve meaningful freshwater outcomes across the region.
Recognising that environmental work often takes place amid constant change and uncertainty, the workshop also included a wellbeing session focused on practical ways to care for ourselves and our teams while navigating complex challenges.
The day concluded with participants sharing both a reflection and a commitment. What they were taking away from the workshop and how they would contribute to the collective effort ahead.
The Changing Waters Workshop highlighted the strength of the relationships that already exist across Te Tauihu and reinforced a shared commitment to protecting and restoring our waterways. While every organisation, iwi, and community group brings different skills, perspectives, and responsibilities, the day demonstrated that collaboration remains one of our most powerful tools for creating positive change.
Tasman Bay Guardians would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed their knowledge, experiences, and energy to the day. Together we are building stronger connections and a more resilient future for the waters of Te Tauihu.
A particular highlight was the strong presence of iwi and mana whenua representatives, including Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Koata, Mana Whenua ki Mohua and Mana Whenua ki Motueka, whose perspectives and leadership continue to play a vital role in shaping the future of freshwater management across Te Tauihu