Dr Huhana Smith

Dr Huhana Smith, Ngäti Tukorehe, is currently Chairperson for Taiao Raukawa, an environmental resource unit for Ngäti Raukawa ki te Tonga.

She is a practising artist, academic and Research Leader of the Ngati Raukawa case study in "Manaaki Taha Moana'. She was previously also involved in the Iwi Ecosystem Services research. Huhana is an active member on Te Iwi o Ngäti Tukorehe Trust’s (TIONTT) environmental sub-committee and lead researcher/director of the Tukorehe case study within the collaborative Iwi Ecosystem Services project, which mapped cultural and natural landscape significance the ahi kaa roa within the coastal Kuku area, Horowhenua region:

• Gather and spatially map the cultural landscape and ecological values of the case-study area to Ngäti Tukorehe;
• Identify and record sites/areas of significance to Ngäti Tukorehe, and their associated natural and cultural values;
• Develop Active Management and Protection Plans to integrate mapping information into local and regional planning and decision-making processes;
• Develop a conceptual model of drivers of change.
  

Since 1996, Huhana has also supported research towards the implementation of the: Öhau River ‘loop’ revitalisation programme for Tahamata Incorporation (1997-); Te Häkari Dune Wetland (2000-) and Tikorangi Nursery (2005-) projects. These projects encourage the active protection of cultural landscape, sustainability and enhancement of the dynamic coastal area, its waterways and remaining indigenous biodiversity. Since 2006, Huhana and her partner Richard Anderson (Nga Whenua Rahui) have also developed the Waikokopu stream rehabilitation project. Huhana is part of the Environmental Legal Aid panel for the Ministry for the Environment, which assists Mäori and non-Mäori organisations with funding for Environment Court cases.

Huhana was previously Senior Curator Mäori at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

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