Māori knowledge and environmental work is being combined in a new role to strengthen conservation and cultural outcomes in the top of the south. The Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai) and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua will be sharing knowledge and skills through a one-year secondment, starting on September 22. DOC northern South Island operations director Roy Grose said its pou tairangahau (strategic iwi relations manager) Barney Thomas will be wearing two hats for the secondment, working part-time with DOC and Ngāti Rārua. Virginia Woolf/Nelson Mail Roy Grose said the secondment would enable Barney Thomas to continue his work with iwi across the top of the South Island while fulfilling an agreement with Ngāti Rārua at the same time. “His conservation skills and ability to educate will be a valuable contribution to Ngāti Rārua.”

Source: Stuff September 15, 2021 02:37 UTC