Te Huhua o te Kina!

To better understand Taranaki Whānui mātauranga in relation to kina ecosystems within their takiwā, centred around Te Whanganui a Tara.

13 interviews were conducted to explore the Taranaki Whānui connections to Te Whanganui a Tara, the sites they harvest from, their observations, their concerns, and their hopes for the future.

The importance of Kina

A key theme amongst the interviewee’s kōrero was the importance of kina, not only to provide kai for whānau, but because this species supports connection to culture, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, provides benefits to health and wellbeing, and provides a platform to educate others about the state of the wider ecosystem and moana.

Te Huhua o te Kina! Final Report

Kina project in partnership with Taranaki Whānui

What Taranaki Whānui Are Saying

“Kina is a sought-after delicacy. Really, it’s important, especially to our Māori people. I think that’s more the case that you need to do something because this food in our culture is very important.”

“Be humble. Be humble in the ocean, give your first catch, do your karakia, get in tune with Tangaroa. Above all else, if it’s about getting kai for your whānau, then remember you need to come home alive, to keep doing that”

“Kina shows how healthy we are, how healthy our moana is and the respect and dignity that is given in being able to provide it for our manuhiri as well, so without it, it’s a huge degradation of our mana.”

“I think we’re blessed to still be able to get a kai, but if we don’t look after it…stuff that was here is now extinct, in our time. Take less and give back more.”