Ā Mātou Mahi | Our Work
We are The Watchful Ones. Eyes on the forest. Ears to the ground. Listening for the change before it comes.
Te Tira Whakamātaki is a Māori environmental not-for-profit working at the intersection of science, stories, and sovereignty. We exist to protect what matters most, our whenua (land), wai (waters), taonga species (prized species), seeds, stories, and people.
Rooted in mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and strengthened by community, we are a movement of kaitiaki, (guardians and protectors), researchers, educators, responders, storytellers, strategists, aunties and mokopuna (grandchildren). We are united in our purpose to (re)story systems, (re)indigenise humanity, and restore balance to te taiao (the environment).
For us, Indigenous leadership is more than representation, it is the authority to define the problem, shape the response, and lead with the wisdom of our whakapapa (ancestry and cultural identity). It holds the knowledge, solutions, values, and relationships needed to heal people and planet, not just for today but for every generation to come.
Guided by our whakapapa (ancestry and cultural identity) and our values, we are clear about the future we are working toward.
Our Strategic Pillars | What We Deliver
Our vision and mission are ambitious, and they are made real through the work we do every day with whānau (individual Māori families), hapū (sub-tribes), iwi (tribes) and our partners. We turn our vision into action through four interconnected pou (pillars/themes), delivering Indigenous environmental solutions that protect taonga, restore balance and reconnect people with the natural world.
Each pou (pillar/theme) is focused on a unique point in time, from (re)storing what we’ve inherited, to acting now to protect, and investing in what lies ahead. Together they form a continuum of care, revitalising the relationships between people, place, and planet.
We are seeking funders and partners who believe in the power of Indigenous-led environmental action. Our pou are active, our team is ready, and our communities are leading. With the right investment, Te Tira Whakamātaki can scale its impact across Aotearoa and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean).
We welcome both small contributions and strategic, long-term investment. Every contribution helps build Indigenous futures. For additional information or to volunteer, please email micheal@ttw.nz.
Te Mana ō ngā Koiora | Biosecurity & Biodiversity
Protecting what we’ve inherited
This pou strengthens Māori leadership in biosecurity and biodiversity, not as participants in a system but as designers of it. It seeks to restore ecological balance and protects unique taonga species by centring Indigenous rights, responsibilities, and relationships with the natural world. Delivered through Te Tira Tūwatawata: The Māori Biosecurity Network, this pou builds a skilled and connected workforce of kaitiaki who lead responses to pest and disease threats, restore ecosystems, uphold tikanga, and reimagine biosecurity as a practice of whakapapa-based protection of the biosphere.
Te Tira Tūwatawata is transforming from a grant-dependent network into a financially sustainable Indigenous social enterprise that can maintain its independence while expanding its impact.
By 2030, we aim to be:
- 80% financially independent through earned revenue
- Community-powered by 1,000+ active members
- Internationally recognised as the leading Indigenous biosecurity network
- Policy influential with Māori perspectives embedded in national strategies
To accomplish this, we seek $1.5 million over three years to:
- Provide community training, equipment, and capability building ($600K)
- Develop technology platforms and digital infrastructure ($500K)
- Increase international partnerships and market development ($400K)
Kia Manawaroa | Resilience & Emergencies
Defending what is most vulnerable now
Delivered through Hono: The Māori Emergency Management Network, this pou (pillar) builds the readiness and resilience of whānau (families), hapū (sub-tribes), iwi (tribes) to face climate disruption, disasters, and other emergencies. It supports Indigenous-led responses grounded in tikanga (customs) and whakapapa (ancestry), restoring cultural confidence and protecting communities when crisis strikes. Hono is moving from reactive to strategic, from a network to a national movement.
By 2030, we aim to be:
- A recognised leader in Indigenous emergency management in the Pacific
- Embedded in national policy and response infrastructure.
- Operating with over 500 trained Māori First Defenders and established Māori Response Teams.
- 80% financially sustainable through services and partnerships.
To fund this work, we are seeking $1.8 million over three years to:
- Develop network operations and disaster response digital platforms ($350K)
- Providing community disaster response training, exercises, and equipment ($600K)
- Developing and assisting in regional response team coordination ($600K)
- Disaster response and relief policy, planning, and mātauranga integration ($250K)
Te Oranga ō Hinemoana | Oceans & Climate
Preparing for what is coming
This pou (pillar) recognises that the climate crisis in Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean) is a legacy of colonialism. In response, we amplify Māori-led marine protection and climate adaptation, restoring te reo (the language), tikanga (customs), and relationships with the moana (ocean). We support Pacific-led collaboration, fund local solutions, and share knowledge across communities most impacted by climate change.
To scale this work, we are seeking $700k in the next two years for:
- PhD research on how land-based impacts and climate resilience are affecting the health of pāua ($180K)
- Māori-pacific knowledge exchanges, building Indigenous marine guardians ($200K)
- Develop a storytelling platform to elevate Indigenous voices, marine solutions, and taonga species through film and other creative mediums ($200K)
- Capacity to provide policy advice, advocacy, and the development of marine governance frameworks, Treaty compliant policy, and biodiversity restoration ($120K)
Whakamana Ira Taiao | Seed & Biobanking
Upholding the genetic whakapapa of life
This pou (pillar) protects ira taiao, the ancestral blueprint of life, by collecting, preserving, and revitalising seeds, lichens, ferns, animal DNA, embryos, and other taonga species. Delivered through Te Puna Taonga Ora, Aotearoa’s first Māori-led biobank, we are working to build a living seedbank, a frozen ark, and a cultural covenant for future generations.
Through this pou, we intend to build Aotearoa’s first Māori-led biobank, a living seedbank, frozen ark, and cultural covenant to ensure our collective survival.
To do that, we are seeking $3.5 million over three years to:
- Complete additional research on how to store native species long-term (1400 species currently not known; $1 million)
- Build and distribute bio and seed bank infrastructure across Aotearoa (e.g., mobile seed labs; $1.5 million)
- Provide bio and seed bank training for Māori communities ($500K)
- Develop a business case for Aotearoa’s biobank (including plans and location scouting; $500K)
Our Approach to Work | How We Deliver
Each pou (pillar) is delivered through four interconnected ways of working that reflect our kaupapa (purpose), honour tikanga (customs), and guide how we deliver impact at place and at scale.
Mana | Educate & Empower
Uplifting others through knowledge, skill, and confidence to grow the capability of our communities and the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
Āwhina | Connect & Convene
Weaving together whānau, hapū, iwi, and allies to support strong relatioships, kaupapa, and networks to build a united movement for collective impact.
Rongo | Inspire & Storytell
Restoring balance and healing through narrative, art, and expression so storytelling becomes a form of rongoā (medicine) and movement.
Tū | Influence & Activate
Standing strong to lead and transform systems by advancing Māori leadership in policy, governance, and decision-making to restore balance and uphold rangatiratanga.
Rere | Investigate & Innovate
Exploring solutions through kaupapa Māori research and Indigenous innovation, advancing discovery, motion, and transformation led by ancestral knowledge.
Tiaki | Protect & Respond
Caring for and defending our people, places, and taonga from predator incursions to climate disasters through practical action, readiness, and kaitiakitanga.