As part of our Seafood qualifications development project, we recently visited Ōpōtiki to work alongside representatives from Tio Ohiwa, Te Pou Oranga o Te Whakatōhea, Tapuwae Roa, Cawthron Institute and Open Ocean – Whakatōhea Mussels for our initial wānanga on a te ao Māori strand within seafood qualifications. 

The trip included a site visit to Tio Ōhiwa farm, as well as the Open Ocean processing plant in Opōtiki, before being hosted by Te Tāwharau o Whakatōhea. 

These visits set the tone for the kōrero that followed – it was wide-ranging and in-depth, focusing on the role of Māori within the seafood industry and how mātauranga could be included within formal qualifications.  

The wānanga was highly successful and productive, with consensus that whakapapa, mātauranga, and tikanga should form the core of the mahi. 

The rōpū will be convened regularly over the coming months to oversee the mahi as it progresses. 

Special thanks to Amelia Austin, Wini and Simon Geddes, Te Rerekohu Tuterangiwhiu, Te Aomihia Walker, Paula Simeon and Hohepa Hei for their time and contributions to this kaupapa. Special mention to Management and staff at Tio Ohiwa and Whakatohea Mussels for hosting our onsite visits to view their operations.