Haramai ki Taihuanui
Ko Titirangi te maunga
Ko Uawanui a Ruamatua te awa
Ko Te Aitanga a Hauiti te iwi
Welcome to the bountiful coastline
Titirangi is the mountain
Uawanui a Ruamatua is the river
Te Aitanga a Hauiti is the iwi
Nau mai, haere mai, welcome to the 2025 Coastal Restoration Trust Conference: Taihuanui - A Bountiful Coast. Join us at Uawanui a Ruamatua Tolaga Bay from 12 -14 March 2025 at the historic Reynolds Hall as our venue. Also enjoy marae accommodation at Hauiti marae and the hospitality of the local iwi, Te Aitanga a Hauiti.
Both a bay and the name of a small town on the East Coast of Aotearoa’s North Island Ūawa Tolaga Bay sits 45 km northeast of Gisborne. Given the name Tolaga Bay by Captain Cook in 1769, the bay was originally named Uawa Nui A Ruamatua (shortened to Ūawa). The region around the bay is rugged and so remote that for many years historically the only access to the settlement was by boat. Famous for its long wharf, necessary due to the shallow water, Ūawa Tolaga Bay is a popular holiday spot, notable for its beautiful beach. As the centre of the Te Aitanga a Hauiti iwi, the town boasts a number of marae and has a permanent population of 930 people that is predominantly Maori.
While in the area support local businesses at Ūawa Tolaga Bay, all within walking distance of each other within the small village. Make the most of the stunning natural landscape and famous beach by exploring Cook’s Cove Walkway, a 2.5 hour track classed as easy so accessible for most people.
Pre-conference, there will be a free Dunes 101 workshop with Jim Dahm at 4pm on Tuesday 11 March at Reynold Hall. As part of conference proceedings, Graeme Atkins will be sharing his knowledge about rare coastal plants and Manu Caddie will be talking about sustainable land management. Dr Murry Cave, chief scientist at Gisborne District Council will also be speaking about the connections between the catchment and the coast and the impact of landuse on the local area. Dr Wayne Ngata will be taking participants on a waka tour of Ūawa river to support learning about the importance of this waterway.
The Coastal Restoration Trust is a nationwide organisation that brings together the knowledge and experience of communities, iwi and hapu, management authorities, industry and science agencies to help protect and restore our sand dunes and coastal ecosystems.
Photo attribution: Kathrin Marks