The Kai Moana Beds
Kai - Food Moana - Sea. Natural food sources are considered a treasure- sacred not to be desecrated by Maori,
This grouping of property speculators known as the Whangamata Marina Society plan to carve through these shellfish beds with a rock walled Channel trampling over their customary rights and respect.
When - IF, this Marina channel goes through, local Maori and anyone else wanting to gather Kai will have to walk to this somewhat diminished bed from the North side of the Causeway, the housing development in the top right of the photo
These Godwits fly from Alaska each year to feed in this Channel, this was also not mentioned in the Environment Court. If Conservation Minister Nick Smith in 1997 had not “influenced” the Department Of Conservation to “come to an amicable agreement” with the Marina Society, then perhaps the true impact of the development would have been realised.
Where will they feed when a rock walled channel is plowed through the shell fish beds?
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By TE MANA NUI KI TE RA, May 20, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
I HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF GATHERING KAI MOANA WITH MY FATHER AT THESE KAI MOANA BEDS.I REMEMBER SCORES OF OTHER PEOPLE ALSO GATHERING KAI MOANA,PAKEHA AND MAORI ALIKE.BUT THESE DAYS ARE COMING TO AN END ALL BECAUSE OF A FEW PEOPLE THAT WANT A PLACE TO PARK THERE BOATS.
By Mike Leach, September 26, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
Surely this can not be happening in such an “enlightened” era??? Is this yet again a case of money speaks louder than anything, even if the thing it peaks against is impossible to replace?? My children, i fear will grow in a world sadly devoid of beauty!