Restoring the Rohe: Mapping Te Arawa

Case Study: Te Urunga o Kea

The Context

Te Urunga o Kea – the name of the Te Arawa Climate Change Working Group – leads regional climate action grounded in Te Arawa values. Their key document - Te Ara ki Kōpū - focuses on Te Arawa perspectives on Climate Change addressing the major concerns of whānau and forming those into six Priority Kaupapa. One of these is Biodiversity which states that:

• Our lands, forests, lakes, rivers, wetlands and estuaries are pest free and abundant with our taonga species.

• The function and role of our wetlands and native forests are restored.

Partners Te Urunga o Kea
Challenge Spatial mapping to guide iwi-led climate and biodiversity planning
Eco-index Solutions Navigator
Outcome Improved clarity and strategy for cross-iwi restoration conversations
Project Supporters Biological Heritage NZ
Litmus Datatech
Date 2022 - 2024

The Challenge

Te Urunga o Kea and Eco-index partnered during the BioHeritage National Science Challenge to share knowledge in a way that enriched the kaupapa of both teams.

Te Urunga o Kea sought to unite science and mātauranga and better understand how data science could inform Te Arawa about where and how to restore rohe-ā-hapū (tribal areas of interest). But spatial tools often miss iwi-specific realities. The group needed mapping by their own people to ensure an approach that gave mana to the data and therefore support mana motuhake (self-determination) in environmental decision-making.

The Solution

True knowledge sharing began when Eco-index brought on board Corey Ruha as a representative of Te Urunga o Kea to co-develop an iwi-focused GIS solution tailored to the Te Arawa rohe. This collaboration built on the ecological and data science foundations from Eco-index in a clever GIS tool that would later become Navigator. 

Together, Corey and the Eco-index team integrated spatial layers with their specialist knowledge to address both ecological science and iwi priorities. The solution delivered:

  • 10 ecological spatial data layers integrating national datasets and specialist knowledge

  • Identification of priority areas for native ecosystem reconstruction, with the ability to visualise ecological opportunities at scale

  • Navigator tool versions clipped to each tupuna rohe, ensuring accessibility and relevance for individual iwi and hapū decision-making

By co-designing the tool with iwi leadership, Eco-index ensured that Navigator not only provided technical insights but also reflected Te Arawa values, strengthening both scientific rigour and cultural integrity.

Te Kete Rokiroki: Artist Jamie Huia Rolleston (Ngati Whakaue, 2021)

The co-developed Navigator tool was shared with each Te Arawa rūnanga, enabling them to explore ecological opportunities specific to their rohe.

  • Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi have already used their version of Navigator to successfully support and communicate their aspirations for restoration.

  • The maps and layers have provided a starting point for hapū and iwi wanting to undertake restoration projects.

  • Corey’s journey reflects the deeper impact of the collaboration. Through the project, he built advanced GIS and data science skills, applying them to both ecological and cultural storytelling for his iwi. His continued role with Eco-index has seen him grow as a Data Scientist, Science Communicator, and now Director - a testament to the kaupapa of empowering local talent and leadership.

This case demonstrates how a co-developed, tech-enabled solutions can drive both ecological restoration and iwi capacity-building - supporting mana motuhake while delivering practical tools for biodiversity action.

The Impact

Cover of Te Ara ki Kōpū: Artist Dale Corbett

“The data that came from Navigator was compelling enough to be presented to DOC, enabling us to incorporate our iwi aspirations effectively… Ngāti Rangitihi now are able to work independently within Te Awa o Te Atua, leading ourselves with the awhi and support of Department of Conservation.”
— Destiny Wharewera-Mason, Cultural Monitor at Te Mana o Ngāti Rangitihi

The Future

With the successful development of Navigator and the growth of one of Te Urunga o Kea members into a leader and operational member of Eco-index, Te Arawa is well placed for integrating environmental tech to support Te Taiao.

Interested in enhancing your restoration efforts with data-driven tools? Contact Eco-index to learn how Navigator and other solutions can support your biodiversity goals.

Interested in restoration initiatives in Te Arawa? Check out the Te Urunga o Kea facebook page to get in contact.

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