From Planning to Action: Waitangi Oromahoe Kāinga Adaptation Plan Moves into its Next Phase

The Waitangi Oromahoe Kāinga Adaptation Plan continues to gain momentum as the hapū of Ngāti Kawa, Ngāti Rāhiri and Matarahurahu work with researchers and local government to move from planning to implementation.

Taiātea

One important milestone was an invitation for Ngāti Kawa to present the Kāinga Adaptation Plan at the 2026 Taiātea: Gathering of the Oceans Symposium, held at Waitangi in mid-June 2026. Taiātea brought together Indigenous leaders, marine scientists, other researchers, practitioners and communities from across the Pacific and beyond including Canada, Australia, Hawai'i, Niue, Rapa Nui and the Cook Islands, alongside Māori leaders from across Aotearoa to share Indigenous knowledge and leadership in ocean protection, climate resilience and environmental stewardship.  

Presenting on behalf of the three hapū, Ngāti Kawa reflected on the collaborative journey that brought together community members, researchers and scientists to develop one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s first community-led comprehensive Indigenous climate adaptation plans. The presentation generated considerable interest among participants, with one regional council climate adaptation specialist commenting that Ngati Kawa had “made us laugh and laid down a wero for councils to partner with communities and help deliver on your plan.”

NRC Adaptation Planning

Follow-up meetings have since been held with both the Northland Regional Council and the Far North District Council to explore how local government can work alongside the hapū to implement the priorities identified in the Kāinga Adaptation Plan. The Project Kāinga team—Ngāti Kawa, Professor Merata Kawharu and Dr Hirini Tane—is now preparing an implementation action plan that identifies practical priorities and next steps for the community.

Awa Plan for the Waitangi River

This work is complemented by a significant new initiative led by Russell and Fiona Death, who have completed an innovative management plan for the Waitangi River. Drawing on AI-supported modelling and environmental data interpretation, the report provides a new approach to understanding the river system and contributes directly to the freshwater aspirations identified in the Kāinga Adaptation Plan.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how the Waitangi Oromahoe Kāinga Adaptation Plan is evolving from a shared vision into coordinated action, bringing together hapū, researchers, councils and communities to build long-term climate resilience. The plan was launched with the community itself in July 2025:

Ngati Kawa Taituha speaking at the launch of the Plan, Waitangi, July 2025