Maara Moana – Ocean Garden
About
What is an Ocean Garden?
An Ocean Garden is a living space in the sea. It’s a carefully tended area where native marine species are grown, restored, and protected by the community. It’s a blend of ancient practice and modern science, rooted in Māori values of care, connection, and guardianship.
Our areas of expertise
Bridging the gap between innovative ideas and impactful solutions for sustainable startups.
What we do
Our first Ocean Garden in Whangaruru includes:
- Wetlab: A hands-on space for studying sea life and water quality in real-time, helping us care for marine species with precision and respect.
- Marine Hatchery: A nursery for taonga species — like pāua, scallops, crayfish, mussels, and seaweed — where we raise broodstock and spat to thrive and return to the wild.
Guided by Mātauranga Moana
We’re restoring mātauranga moana — the traditional Māori knowledge of our ocean ecosystems. Through kōrero with whānau and hapū, we’re recovering the stories, methods, and wisdom that guided maara moana (sea gardens) for generations.
Why It Matters
- By restoring habitat and supporting native species, we help the moana heal itself.
- Our gardens are places of learning for researchers, divers, and future kaitiaki.
- Open to the public, our gardens invite everyone to witness marine restoration, up close and in action.
How We Do It
What is an Urchin Barren?
An urchin barren is a degraded reef area where overpopulated kina (sea urchin) have grazed away the kelp and seaweed, leaving behind bare, rocky seafloor. Without that underwater forest, fish and other marine life lose their food, shelter, and spawning grounds. Left unchecked, urchin barrens threaten the health of entire ecosystems — including our Ocean Gardens — by collapsing biodiversity and slowing natural recovery. Restoring balance starts with restoring habitat.
Culling Urchin With Purpose
We remove overgrown kina (sea urchin) to stop reef collapse and bring balance back. It’s not just culling — it’s strategic, guided by a plan to restore marine life.
Grounded in Research
We’re building a deep understanding of our reef through tools like:
- Species Inventory: Cataloging over 300 seaweeds, fish, and invertebrates so far.
- Environmental DNA: Identifying who’s been here, even when we can’t see them.
- Stable Isotopes: Tracking nutrient flows to understand marine health.
- Desktop Studies: Mapping what’s changed over time and why it matters.
Monitoring & Mātauranga
We watch what the ocean tells us. From kina recovery to algae regrowth, we track ecosystem shifts using both data and lived knowledge. We listen (whakarongo), observe (titiro), and speak (kōrero) — blending traditional insight with scientific tools.
