Climate-friendly, high-value crops for the whānau of Omaio

Climate change is already impacting the community, with more frequent storms resulting in increased river and sea bed sedimentation as well as damage to roading and other infrastructure.

Science will play a critical role in our future decision making towards sustainable outcomes for our whanau and moko’s. New science aims to provide the community of Omaio with the tools and training to monitor essential climate and hydrology data, as well as irrigation management tools, so they can better respond to changing climate while creating 100 new local jobs.

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The coastal lands of Omaio hold some of the most productive soils – those deep, loamy Te Kaha soils – in New Zealand. Coupled with warm temperatures, relatively even rainfall and frost-free days, Omaio has ideal growing conditions for high-value horticulture crops like kiwifruit. Currently, however, these lands are utilised for low-value maize. Maize growers provide no employment for whānau and contribute nothing to growing the local economy.

This project aims to provide the community of Omaio with the tools and training to monitor essential climate and hydrology data, as well as irrigation management tools, so they can better consider and respond to changing climatic conditions. Our project will also run individual and group workshops to inform decision making around the use of water both for community purposes and for both commercial applications.

The chair of Te Rau Aroha Trust Chris Karamea Insley said the issue of climate change needed to be dealt with head on. "Science has got to play a hugely important role, help us understand what are the best decisions we might make in terms of our land use. The sheltered bays around Te Whānau-ā-Apanui have long been productive for growing produce like kiwifrut, Mr Insley said. We use to call them chinese gooseberries back then so we know those things grow. Mr Insley said at the moment land was not being effectively used. These lands are utilised for low-value maize. Maize growers provide no employment for whānau and contribute nothing to growing the local economy. He estimated if high value crops such as kiwi fruit were planted in the area more than 100 jobs would be created for whānau in Omaio".

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