Department of Conservation
Te Kāhui o Taranaki

Kaitiaki Whenua Ranger – New And Unique Role Between Te Kāhui O Taranaki And the Department of Conservation

Te Kāhui o Taranaki and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are pleased to announce the appointment of Wayne Capper into the unique and newly developed role of Kaitiaki Whenua Ranger.

The Kaitiaki Whenua Ranger role will be a partnership role between the DOC and Te Kāhui o Taranaki to support the management of the cultural redress sites transferred to Taranaki Iwi.

As owners responsible for the management of these cultural redress sites Te Kāhui o Taranaki created the Kaitiaki Whenua Ranger position to manage the sites. Wayne Capper has been recruited to the role where he will be employed by Te Kāhui o Taranaki and will be hosted by DOC in their Historic and Visitor Assets team for 2 years before transitioning back to Te Kāhui o Taranaki.

“We’re excited about the Kaitiaki Whenua Ranger role and working with DOC,” says Te Kāhui o Taranaki Chairperson Leanne Horo.

“A partnership of this nature is a first between Iwi and DOC so we look forward to the opportunities that will develop as a result of this truly unique relationship.”

“We welcome Wayne Capper to the DOC Ngā Motu team and look forward to providing Wayne with skills training, on the job work experience and a strong health and safety culture. This is an exciting role, supported by a strong partnership and one we are very proud to host for the next two years,” says Gareth Hopkins, Operations Manager, Ngā Motu/New Plymouth District Office.

The Treaty settlement between Taranaki Iwi and the Crown is legislated through the Taranaki Iwi Claims Settlement Act 2016. As part of this settlement the Crown transferred 30 cultural redress sites from the Department of Conservation to Te Kāhui o Taranaki. Such sites include Te Koru Pā, Tataraimaka, Omata and Tāpuinikau.

ENDS

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