Supporting whānau engagement in mahi taiao
Ka Tupu was established in 2025 to support whānau engagement in mahi taiao (environmental work) on Te Motu Tapu o Kapiti (Kapiti Island). With a particular focus on whānau land in Waiorua Valley, we aim to contribute to the long-term wellbeing of the motu while fostering deeper relationships between whānau and whenua through mahi taiao.
Ka Tupu is a registered Charitable Trust Board.
We want to create opportunities for whānau to participate in mahi taiao, to grow as tangata tiaki and build the skills within our whānau to realise that role with increased purpose.
Our enduring presence on Kapiti Island is a privilege and a responsibility, one that calls us to take up the mahi necessary to uplift the mauri of the motu. Recognising our role as tangata tiaki is just one element of that mahi, and the main focus of the Ka Tupu Charitable Trust.
The range of conservation initiatives Ka Tupu can contribute to is significant, and something we want to grow into as we develop capability:
Environmental monitoring – Including pekapeka, seabird nest colony, and freshwater systems.
Pest management – Controlling invasive weeds with whānau weeding days, and maintaining trap lines on our whenua.
Native plant nursery – Raising island sourced, high priority native seedlings to nudge the ngāhere in the right direction.
Supporting Waiorua Takahē - Working with the Takahē recovery programme to support the pair who live in Waiorua, with nest monitoring and supplementary feeding.
Supporting conservation projects – Contributing to translocations, habitat work, and recovery efforts for threatened species.
Whānau and community training – Building mahi taiao skills and knowledge through wānanga and hands-on mahi.
Support our mahi, and rep your favourite manu with one of our tīhāte!
#1 - Ruru
#2 - Kōkako
#1 - Ruru
Keen for a kōrero?
We’re always keen to connect on kaupapa taiao, and all sorts of other odd things. If you think we should be speaking to each other, kōrero mai!