What a beautiful day Saturday was! Over 30 people joined us at Ōpito Bay to celebrate the successful completion of Phase 1 of the Ōpito Bay Tipa Regeneration Project.
Kaumātua Joe Davis opened the day with mihimihi, karakia and kōrero, setting the tone for what would be a meaningful celebration of partnership and environmental kaitiakitanga. Together with the Ōpito Bay Ratepayers Association and community volunteers, we retrieved and cleaned the rigs, took observation trips on the water, and released almost 300 juvenile scallops back to their home.
The project faced significant challenges with a late-start and Cyclone Tam proving highly destructive. However, this project has proven the power of partnership – bringing together mātauranga Māori and community dedication to restore and protect the scallop populations within our rohe. We’ve been privileged to support the Ōpito Bay Ratepayers Association in this important kaupapa.
The formal blessing and closure marked not an ending, but a transition as we look ahead to Phase 2. The BBQ that followed was a well-earned celebration after months of mahi!
Ngā mihi nui to everyone who has contributed to this project – from those who were hands-on in the water to those who supported from shore. Your collective efforts are helping restore the mauri of our moana for future generations.
Here’s to the next phase of this journey!
