One year on from Cyclone Gabrielle, iwi and hapū groups in Hawke's Bay are using environmental DNA testing systems to better understand the effects of cyclones to their eco-systems.
Ngāti Pāhauwera, based along the Waihua River, are utilising the eDNA technology in its awa to determine which parts need to be restored.
Kathryn Gale, kaiwhakahaere taiao or environmental coordinator for Ngāti Pāhauwera Development Trust, said the iwi has been happy with the process so far.
"The rivers are still really hurting, but there has been progress... and when you get beautiful days like this, and you do find things coming back, it is really heartening to see."
Testing is also being carried out further up around in the East Coast in Tolaga Bay where uri say it’s a much easier process compared to traditional methods.
“We go out and blitz out our awa using eDNA. Instead of having to set our net and hunt for them, we’re able to take a gentle kind of sample,” said Mere Tamanui, who works for Tairāwhiti-based environmental service Taniwha Connections.
Environmental Protection Authority general manager Paula Knapp said feedback from iwi and hapū for the method of testing has been supportive.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive... the heart of the programme is a kaupapa that is about being community-led and recognising the role of kaitiaki on the ground.
“It’s about empowering people to have access to this cutting edge eDNA technology that gives them information that they can easily access, easily understand and translate that very quickly to a plan on how they want to restore their waterways.”
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