Today, Aotearoa New Zealand celebrates Matariki (start of the Māori New Year) as a nation. One project which is helping celebrate this year is the Rosedale Park Restoration Project. 

The Rosedale Park project is a small and medium business-led sustainable urban restoration in the south-western corner of Rosedale Park in Auckland, NZ. 

The five-year project aims to increase social equity, environmental wellbeing and local business connectivity and engagement.

Honouring Mana Whenua

Utilising a sustainability model that is underpinned by Te Tiriti O Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) principles and practices, the Rosedale Restoration Project participants recognise the need to work harder to honour mana whenua. 

Ventia Environment and Sustainability Advisor Chloe Brown says taking ecological responsibility to work towards mitigating climate change is key to the work the project is doing. It is also focussed on improving the wellbeing of the local environment in order for our local people to be well. 

The restoration model enables the development of greater social equity, placing mana whenua as a key stakeholder and primary partner within the project.

In addition to working with Mana Whenua, this restoration is intergenerational (from kindergarten kids to older adult stakeholders) and is inclusive of community members managing neuro diversity and mixed abilities. Project members are also working closely with a vulnerable local Chinese international student population who have not seen their whanau (family) now for three years due to the closed international borders. 

Embracing kaitiakitanga

Kaitohutohu Māori (advisor) for Ventia Ricky Dean Wairehu Steedman says that when they approached for support, team members from Ventia's Auckland Council Contract honoured Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Mana Whenua (Māori people) by embracing the concept of kaitiakitanga and offering time and experience to the project. 

Ricky spoke with members of the Kaipara Iwi and following that the team assessed the situation and were able to offer support in several areas.

He says we are also liaising with the Local Kaumatua, Tracy Davis to understand Mana Whenua expectations and supporting the Rosedale Restoration Project Team towards achieving them on this and other Ngati Whatua o Kaipara initiatives. 

Supporting with transport of water

"We're going to assist with transportation of water required for management of feedstock, in procuring IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) needed for the onsite storage of water, and in sharing our environmental knowledge and guidance where appropriate," says Chloe Brown.

Support of this year's Matariki initiatives, being implemented by the Project Team and Local Iwi, is also on the agenda for the team and Ventia representatives were keen to participate.  

Rosedale Restoration Project leader Nicky Shave was thankful for the additional support. 

Thank you all for your positive energy, ideas, expertise and offers of support. I came off the call so excited to have had the chance to meet with you.

She also said, "huge thanks too for (Chloe's) insights and expertise and Ricky, thanks for your guidance". 

^{Nicky Shave and the Auckland Council Kaumātua at the day's event.}