Te Pūwaha Governance Group BY EMAIL TO MEMBERS

Dear Te Pūwaha partners,
TE PŪWAHA ONGOING WORKS
We write to confirm our ongoing commitment to this transformational project in our Rohe.

Prior to Te Pūwaha being established Progress Castlecliff Inc had been involved for many years in advocating for and on behalf of Castlecliff/Te Kai hau o Kupe. In recent years, starting around 2013, a significant portion of the mahi fell under the banner of the Castlecliff Rejuvenation Project, an endeavour to realise the social, cultural, environmental, economic, and spiritual potential of Whanganui’s seaside community and natural environment, for the benefit of residents and the wider District.

Throughout PCC have continued to manage the Duncan Pavillion on behalf of the community, acted as an umbrella organisation for Coastcare and more recently managed the Castlecliff Library Hub.

We are immersed in our community, connected to our neighbours and our natural environment.

Naturally, upon the establishment of Te Pūwaha, we have become involved in what is proving to be the first truly community lead large scale project under the transformational Te Awa Tupua legislation utilising the Tupua Te Kawa values to achieve abundance.

The process for us has been challenging at times, but overall an enlightening and inspiring experience.

Progress Castlecliff is grateful for the leadership and guidance of Te Mata Puau in this process.

It has become clear that the Castlecliff community’s aspirations and Te Mata Puau’s aspirations are in alignment and mutually complement each other. Our skills and experiences, knowledge and connections allow us to work well together.

Through Te Mata Puau’s open door policy Jamie Waugh has become a conduit link between our two organisations. We continue to build a strong, trusting and mutually beneficial relationship.

The kawa incorporated in the Te Awa Tupua legislation and the He Ara Tuku Rau framework are the ideal means to bring the community’s aspirations into reality, to engage and involve our people.

Te Awa Tupua is at the centre, focusing our efforts and guiding us.

We are excited about the opportunity for abundance (mauri ora, mauri awa, mauri tangata) and increased wellbeing in our river catchment as supported by the Te Awa Tupua legislation.

We are committed to the Tupua Te Kawa and the He Ara Tuku Rau framework beyond the immediate Te Pūwaha project.

We have seen in the mahi to date that this way of doing things has the potential (if committed to, properly understood and applied) to secure abundance for our District (mauri, awa and tangata) for many generations into the future. This is a kaupapa that we feel needs to spread far and wide through a genuine community lead narrative.

We also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the many dedicated Council Officers and employees of partners and members of the wider community who have been with us and supported us on this journey.

The community is grateful for your vision in allowing Te Awa Tupua and the Kawa to become the centre of this ongoing mahi. We look forward to driving the process forward to achieve abundance.

Sincerely

Progress Castlecliff Inc Te Mata Puau