The Tiaki Repo ki Pūkorokoro Trust (TRKP) is a new community trust focused on creating opportunities for people to be involved in the restoration and environmental enhancement of 19.6 hectares of land near the shores of the Firth of Thames/Tī Kapa Moana on East Coast Road, Pūkorokoro. This land adjoins the existing Robert Findlay Wildlife Reserve, a nationally and internationally significant Ramsar site, where thousands of migrating shorebirds are attracted to the 8,500 hectares of mudflats and tidal areas. The Shorebird Coast is visited by thousands of tourists annually, drawn to the unique coastline, and the Hauraki Rail Trail.
TRKP aims to restore the estuary of Pūkorokoro, so as to expand on the feeding and roosting habitat available for the shorebirds. The Trust has adopted a kaitiaki model integrating people, histories and eco-systems respectfully to create a sustainable future and benefit the Pūkorokoro community.
The Trusts mission:
To preserve and share the histories of the area and acknowledge Ngāti Pāoa leadership with kaitiakitanga
To work together to protect and enhance the biodiversity of Pūkorokoro environs
To create opportunities for the whole community to participate in initiatives that will enhance the eco-systems and benefit Pūkorokoro by social, environmental, cultural and economic future-proofing
To activate a collaboration model of practice that other communities locally, nationally and globally may observe
To support the habitat restoration, the TRKP Trust is also working with The Nature Conservancy towards developing a Blue Carbon scheme for the reserve. This involves restoration and biodiversity conservation monitoring and local capacity building.
