Iwi in northern Hawke's Bay are excited about a collaborative project with the Department of Conservation, which aims to re-establish a range of native fauna and flora to the region.
Poutiri Ao o Tane is an ecological restoration project between DoC, Ngati Pahauwera and Ngati Hineuru iwi and the Maungaharuru Tangitu Incorporation, which represents four hapu.
Trevor Taurima from one of the hapu, Ngati Tu, says the priority for Maori is to hear once again the sound of beating wings flying to and the Maungaharuru range to the sea.
He says ancestral stories talk about the Takitimu waka being anchored in Hawke Bay and the tohunga on board hearing the thunderous sounds of wings as seabirds flew inland.
The first transfer of native birds to DoC's Boundary Stream Mainland Island inland from Lake Tutira has already occurred, with 30 kakariki or yellow crowned parrot, captured and transported from Mana Island late last month.
