Positive First Meeting with new Chair of Antarctic NZ around future collaboration
Today Murihiku Upoko - Ta Tipene O’Regan and Terry Nicholas met with the new Chair of Antarctic NZ, Leon Grice, and incoming Board Member Heather Simpson. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme, recent polar expeditions, and related partnership opportunities.
“It was an opportunity for us to share our view that the Murihiku ki te Tonga Programme is a legitimate Iwi-led oceans research programme, linking to our treaty settlement zone of marine interest, and the need for us to work collaboratively in the national interest,” outlined Ta Tipene O’Regan, Upoko o Awarua Rūnaka.
‘It is an opportunity for us to develop science and innovation capabilities for our successive generations and for our rights and interests in this important region to be recognised and acknowledged,” said Terry Nicholas, Upoko o Hokonui Rūnanga.
The pair were hosted by Murihiku Upoko at Te Whare o Te Waipounamu and among the topics discussed was the need to build a collaborative approach between Murihiku Regeneration and Antarctic NZ. Another key discussion topic was the need to develop an Oceans and related science strategy that connects the Antarctic, with the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area, into the NZ Exclusive Economic Zone. The final area of the discussion focused around international partnerships that created opportunities in the science and innovation space.
“We shared details around our recent MKTT expeditions, also our recently submitted Murihiku ki te Tonga Science Endeavour Bid, which focuses on the Ocean connecting our takiwa to Antarctica. This is an area of strategic significance to both parties”, concluded Ta Tipene O’Regan.
The Murihiku ki te Tonga 2024 Endeavour proposal plans to take an integrated matauranga science ecosystem approach. This relates to the area that includes the Ngai Tahu maritime zone of interest, including Fiordland, Rakiura, the NZ Subantarctic Islands, and also the Ross Sea MPA and also Antarctica itself. As a result of the meeting, further explanation and understanding of the MKTT work programme, and how it might relate to ANZ priorities and future cooperation was agreed.
“We really appreciated the opportunity to meet with Ta Tipene and Terry Nicholas, to understand a Ngai Tahu perspective, and discuss how we might work together in the future. I look forward to furthering this opportunity”, said Leon Grice at the conclusion of the meeting.
Murihiku Upoko will be following up this first meeting, with a letter to the ANZ Chair to formalise the requests and action points discussed in this first meeting.
“It really was a very useful and positive first meeting”, said Ta Tipene at the close of the Hui.
Posted: 26 March 2024