An iwi-lead project has been launched to uproot Northland youth from the couch and get them planting trees instead.
The Government funded, Te Hiku project hopes to train up unemployed young Māori in the Far North to work in the environment, restoring the region’s lakes and wetlands.
The Far North is home to many rare dune lakes, including Lake Wahakari, Lake Waipareira and Split Lake, all of which will be managed using Te Hiku project funding.
Te Hiku is led by three Far North iwi, Ngāi Takoto, Te Rarawa, and Te Aupōuri.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Takoto environmental manager Kaio Hooper, says 18 young Māori will be employed and trained over the next month to start work restoring northland’s environment.
"Our goal is to get out to our communities and our marae to target youth that probably haven't started off on the right foot and are stuck in the WINZ process, where they just do a training, go back on the dole and basically aren’t aspiring to do anything further," said Mr Hooper.
Mr Hooper said they want to support the youth and provide training for jobs after the two-year long project finishes.
One of the Te Hiku organisers Wendy Henwood, Rarawa, said the teams will be clearing areas around the lakes, fencing, planting, pest control and monitoring the ecological lake conditions.
Ms Henwood said the $318,900 committed by the Ministry for the Environment over the next two years is just a start.
"For us it's a catalyst project about using environmental restoration work to build our workforce, our capacity and capability," she said.
Mr Hooper said Te Hiku is a long term plan rather than the usual six month plans that tend to turn to dust in the region.
"We’re trying to create a long term strategy that will continue after the funding’s dried up," he said. "The idea is that the funding is just a kick starter then after that two years we should be in a place where each iwi can continue the project on their own regard with their own money instead of just getting hand outs."
Newshub.
