The Kelp Gardeners Pipi (project)

Kelp Gardeners: Restoring Ecosystems through Kaitiakitanga, Mātauranga, and Science

This initiative is dedicated to the restoration of seaweed reefs. We achieve this by respectfully and holistically combining mātauranga Māori (knowledge gained through action) with scientific methods. Our approach is to actively practice kaitiakitanga (place-based stewardship) by mobilizing local community and manawhenua (people of the land) snorkelers and divers. The critical role of volunteers is the targeted removal of kina (sea urchin, Evechinus chloroticus) to reduce grazing pressure on the recovering seaweed reefs. The harvested kina will then be shared with the local community and whānau (family) members and manuhiri (visitors).

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/qwBQNDlmM_I?feature=share

Background

The Kelp Gardeners Pipi (Project) began in 2021 to restore and regenerate seaweed (rimurimu) in Enclosure Bay (Waiheke Island) by respectfully removing sexually reproductive kina (sea urchin, Evechinus chloroticus) during summer (Dec-Apr).

In 2024, Ngāti Pāoa ki Waiheke roopū adopted the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar) to observe the taiao (natural world). This traditional tool, viewed through a te ao Māori lens, provided profound insights into reading environmental tohu (indicators) like currents, seabirds, fish, and lunar/tidal movements, aligning our actions with the lunar cycle.

This alignment led to a new observational dive program monitoring our marine gardens using the maramataka. Our rangatahi (youth) co-ordinators—local/iwi representatives with marine biology degrees—integrated Western science with this qualitative data, creating rich, detailed imagery within our 50 m² test zone.

By strengthening relationships with our rangatahi (young people), manawhenua, schools, and broader community, whilst still displaying our sense of mātauranga Māori, the Kelp Gardeners pipi continues to thrive and develop as a practical expression of kaitiakitanga (guardianship).

Impact

The 2025/26 Kelp Gardener season involved over 100 Manawhenua and local community volunteers successfully removing over 1,500 kina (sea urchin) from the garden. Following mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), the kina were shared as kai (food) with the community, and the shells were used as natural compost at the local marae. Kelp Gardeners is now officially recognised as a Flagship project within the Waiheke Local Board's Climate Action Plan.

In October 2025, a benthic re-survey was conducted by Dr Tim Haggitt and Nakita Daniel to evaluate the impact of controlled kina/sea urchin removal undertaken by Waiheke Marine Project’s (WMP) community-driven Kelp Gardeners Project.

The report concluded “To date, the WMP’s Kelp Gardeners project has successfully confirmed proof of concept surrounding kina removal through community participation, which can lead to positive rimurimu recovery. In addition to the ecological benefits of kelp and associated biodiversity regeneration in the mara (garden), the project has engaged with and empowered manawhenua and the wider Waiheke community to be part of the solution. Through Kelp Gardeners, participants have developed their knowledge and connection with te taiao (the natural environment), gained skills and built capacity in scientific techniques with a mātauranga Māori lens (observations and removal of adult kina), and celebrated kina (by consuming them as kai and making fertiliser from their shells). Naturally, the recommended next steps include extending the mara to scale up the ecological and socio-cultural impact of this kaupapa (purpose).”

Next Steps

With the goal to revitalise the mauri (lifeforce) of Enclosure Bay, money raised in this campaign will go directly towards expanding the impact of the Kelp Gardeners pipi (project).

Over the upcoming 12 months the Waiheke Marine Project aims to:

Extend the underwater mara (garden) beyond the original 50m2 test zone
Continue to observe and tend to the original underwater garden
Create a kina cookbook to share recipes and photos with the wider community to encourage the valuing of kina as a delicious and nutritious food source
Continue with consistent benthic surveys
Start monitoring underwater sound to hear life that connects mauri and hauora (wellbeing) of the moana
Observe tohu (indicators) of mauri (lifeforce) that are special to Enclosure Bay for monitoring
Support a manawhenua/community-led culture of regenerative practice throughout the calendar year by switching out sea 'gardening' with wetland 'gardening'. We hope to bring together the land and sea planters to regenerate the various land/seascapes across the motu (island).
Storytelling to showcase the Kelp Gardeners ahu moana (Iwi led and community support - regeneration of the sea) so others can learn from our stories.

Measurement

Successes and learnings will be shared through our Annual Report, website and social media. An enthusiastic uptake of the kina cookbook is anticipated. WMP will continue to contribute to Scientific papers and other forms of shared knowledge such as wānanga (meetings).