A new digital modelling tool designed to help monitor and understand the health of Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour has been launched at Pātaka Art + Museum.
The tool, called Te Awarua – Kai Ora, was developed through a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, ESR – now PHF Science – the Geospatial Research Institute at the University of Canterbury, Tangarine Design, Treibl Creative, and iwi members Rusleigh Parai and Donna Warren.
The project grew out of work that began after a major wastewater overflow into the harbour in 2021. The incident brought scientists and iwi together to explore better ways to understand and protect the harbour.
Using digital modelling and interactive technology, the new tool aims to help identify pressure points affecting the harbour and support ongoing restoration efforts.
Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour is a taonga to Ngāti Toa Rangatira and was traditionally a vital source of kai that sustained local communities. It was also a key reason Ngāti Toa tūpuna chose to settle in the area.
The tool is expected to support the work of the Porirua Harbour Accord, which brings councils and partners together to restore and strengthen the health of the harbour.
Students from Ngāti Toa School attended the launch, walking from their kura to Pātaka to support the event. Led by Deputy Tumuaki Jasmine Arthur, the tauira performed a waiata and haka.
Organisers said the students’ presence was a powerful reminder that protecting the harbour is ultimately about the future of the next generation.