Home9 June 2025
Getting ready for the guided tour of Pūkaha. Captured by Stacey Bryan-Sneddon
NOHO MARAE 2024
A moment to connect and refocus
The following story was originally written for our 2024 Annual Report.
Given the relentless pace of research, it’s easy for scientists to get caught up in the details and lose sight of our cultural and social environment. The noho marae at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre provided a rare opportunity to step back and reflect. These overnight stays on a marae support participants to reconnect with each other and the purpose behind Bioprotection Aotearoa.
Over three days, early career researchers, scientists and community members came together to discuss the progression of our research, revisit insights, and explore new ways to apply our research in real-world contexts.
Te Kawau Mārō serves as Bioprotection Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori advisory group, guiding the integration of mātauranga Māori and ensuring research aligns with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. Members of this advisory group include Sam Luddon (representing Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa), Matetu Herewini (representing Te Whānau ā Apanui), and conservationist and bushman Hamiora Gibson (Ngāti Mutunga), also known as Sam the Trap Man. They contributed to discussions with insights that placed our research in a broader context and beyond traditional research silos.
This depth and authenticity grounded conversations among diverse voices and experiences. It serves as a reminder of why the research of Bioprotection Aotearoa matters, and who it is for.
About the venue: Te Wānanga Taiao o Manukura at Pūkaha
Nestled in the forest at Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, Te Wānanga Taiao o Manukura offered an ideal setting for our noho. The venue combines practical comfort with natural surroundings, supporting overnight hui, wānanga and meaningful connection to te taiao.
Sleeping arrangements included both the wharenui and additional warm, cosy bunk rooms—ensuring all participants were well rested and comfortable. A fully equipped commercial kitchen made shared catering easy, while adjacent meeting spaces provided room for focused discussions and group sessions.
A special highlight of our stay was a guided walk through the forest with one of Pūkaha’s experienced rangers. This one-hour experience revealed the untold stories of the bush and its inhabitants, reinforcing the real-world context of our research.
We are grateful to the Pūkaha team for their generous manaakitanga and for creating a space that nurtured connection, reflection and purpose.
Event Highlights and Supporting Information
Image Gallery
You can view a selection of photos from the day here >>
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