Ngāti Hei and Ngāti Pāoa unite in the next step in a battle against exotic Caulerpa with woollen whāriki laid over patches at Ahuahu.
In the spirit of kaitiakitanga and aroha, Ngāti Pāoa have extended their innovative woven woollen mat (whāriki) trial to Ahuahu. This marks our first steps in eradication and significant progress in the fight against the spread of exotic Caulerpa, a fast-growing algae threatening our marine ecosystems.
Tony Beamish, Craig Balsom, and Ash Lambert are leading our efforts to monitor and assess the whāriki (mat) treatments. During the recent monitoring visits to Ahuahu, the team was fortunate to experience calm seas and clear visibility—ideal conditions to inspect the whāriki placed on the seafloor. While Caulerpa was observed, the team gathered valuable data to analyse the algae’s spread and evaluate the mat’s effectiveness. The whāriki have been carefully deployed to smother the invasive Caulerpa, potentially halting its growth and restoring balance to the marine environment.
This trial is crucial, as unchecked exotic Caulerpa could overwhelm native marine life, posing a serious threat to biodiversity and the overall health of our oceans. The success of this mat trial brings hope for a natural, sustainable solution to managing this infestation.
Despite fluctuating weather conditions, the team were able to adapt their plans, prioritising health & safety, and ensuring no incidents were reported. Their dedication exemplifies our iwi’s deep commitment to protecting our precious taonga.
As the whāriki trial continues to unfold, we remain optimistic about its potential to safeguard our waters for future generations.
