Activating whenua through governance, trust‑building, and long‑term collective vision

Roma Balzer (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Apakura, Te Arawa) is a trustee and governance strategist supporting whenua and whānau in the Waikato. Stepping into governance with little experience, she helped transform a dormant trust into an active, purpose-driven collective. Her kōrero builds on earlier episodes by showing how whenua is sustained through developing relationships, long-term visions, and shared responsibility to ensure whenua Māori remains a living asset for future generations.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini

My strength is not that of one but of many

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Disclaimer

Te Karanga o Te Whenua is led by researchers based at the Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Group, now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – Maiangi Taiao.

The stories shared in Te Karanga o Te Whenua are personal accounts that were recorded with permission and are presented to reflect the lived experiences, perspectives, and voices of the research partners. These narratives are shared in good faith to inform, reflect, and inspire listeners, and are not intended for advisory purposes. The views expressed are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily represent the views of the funders or hosting organisations.

Reclaiming the right to live on ancestral whenua through grief, justice, and practice

Āwhina Motutere (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Pāhauwera) is a kaitiaki living off-grid with her whānau on ancestral whenua in Tauranga Moana. After returning home and fighting a five-year battle to occupy her land, her kōrero extends the series into the realities of systems and access. She shows that reconnection requires persistence, and that living on whenua Māori is both healing and transformative.

Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua

As man disappears from sight, the land remains

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Disclaimer

Te Karanga o Te Whenua is led by researchers based at the Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Group, now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – Maiangi Taiao.

The stories shared in Te Karanga o Te Whenua are personal accounts that were recorded with permission and are presented to reflect the lived experiences, perspectives, and voices of the research partners. These narratives are shared in good faith to inform, reflect, and inspire listeners, and are not intended for advisory purposes. The views expressed are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily represent the views of the funders or hosting organisations.

Healing whenua and whānau through returning to and restoring the maunga

Hoki atu ki tōu maunga kia purea ai e koe ki ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea

Return to your mountain to be cleansed by the winds of Tāwhirimātea

Kiri Nehua (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi) is a scholar, farmer, and kaimanaaki of Hūruiki Maunga in Te Tai Tokerau. After repurchasing their ancestral maunga, she and her husband led a journey of restoration and reconnection. Her kōrero builds on the idea of returning to ancestral whenua, demonstrating how healing comes through understanding history, restoring whenua, and creating space for whānau to reconnect.

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Disclaimer

Te Karanga o Te Whenua is led by researchers based at the Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Group, now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – Maiangi Taiao.

The stories shared in Te Karanga o Te Whenua are personal accounts that were recorded with permission and are presented to reflect the lived experiences, perspectives, and voices of the research partners. These narratives are shared in good faith to inform, reflect, and inspire listeners, and are not intended for advisory purposes. The views expressed are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily represent the views of the funders or hosting organisations.

Returning home to whenua as a process of reclaiming belonging, identity, and everyday kaitiakitanga

Natasha Koia (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Mate) is a kaitiaki and systems thinker living on ancestral whenua in Makarika, Tairāwhiti. Opening the series, her kōrero is shaped by her grandparents’ reo and values. Tarsh bridges lived practice and deep insight, reminding us that belonging is inherited and that there is space for everyone to return: home has always been waiting, and there is enough space for everybody.

No runga, no raro kare i whakapapatia

We are all connected, there is no separation

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Disclaimer

Te Karanga o Te Whenua is led by researchers based at the Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research Group, now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute – Maiangi Taiao.

The stories shared in Te Karanga o Te Whenua are personal accounts that were recorded with permission and are presented to reflect the lived experiences, perspectives, and voices of the research partners. These narratives are shared in good faith to inform, reflect, and inspire listeners, and are not intended for advisory purposes. The views expressed are those of the individuals featured and do not necessarily represent the views of the funders or hosting organisations.