Reflections from Taiātea: A Gathering of Indigenous Stewards
Recently, Big Ocean had the honor of participating in Taiātea, a gathering of ocean leaders, Indigenous knowledge holders, scientists, and practitioners focused on the stewardship of large ocean spaces and the relationships that sustain them.
Held in Aotearoa, Taiātea is a space for deep exchange about responsibility, connection to place, and the shared challenges and opportunities facing those who manage some of the largest and most remote marine areas on Earth.
Taiātea reaffirmed the importance of peer exchange and community among indigenous ocean stewards. The challenges faced by sites around the world — from political context to capacity limitations to climate pressures — are often shared. So too are the solutions, innovations, and lessons learned.
Participating in Taiātea allowed us to listen, learn, and contribute to a growing global dialogue about how we collectively care for the ocean.
We are deeply grateful to the hosts, organizers, and participants who created such a thoughtful and welcoming space for dialogue and exchange.
To learn more, visit Te Ara Whanui or reach out to the coordinating team at Sheridan@ngatikuri.iwi.nz.
