Introducing our new team member
30 September 2011
Ian Mitchell new Relationship Manager, Kauri Dieback Programme
Ko Pukenui (Te Ahuahu) Te Maunga,
Ko Omapere te Roto
Ko Kerikeri, Ko Hokianga, Nga Awa
Ko Kupe Te Tangata
Ko Matawhaorua Te Waka
Ko Ngapuhi te Iwi
Ko Te Uri Taniwha te Hapu
Hi, my name is Ian Mitchell, I am of Maori,
Irish, Welsh and English descent. My Maori blood line centres at
Lake Omapere and extends to Kerikeri Inlet and Hokianga. I
have just been employed by MAF Biosecurity for the Kauri Dieback
Programme as the new Relationship Manager. The role is to manage
the Engagement and Behaviour Change team within the Programme. My
role is partly Liaison and partly Community Engagement, and all
about communication.
In terms of Liaison: within the Kauri Dieback
Programme are a number of 'Partners'. The Partners are the agencies
that jointly contribute to the Programme, and include Tangata
Whenua Roopu (where all hapu and iwi affected by the Kauri Dieback
Disease are represented), MAF Biosecurity, Dept of Conservation,
Northland Regional Council, Auckland Council, Waikato and BOP
Regional Councils.
Within the Programme there are a number of lines
of research being undertaken, as we have a lot to learn about the
disease, mainly around where the disease is located, what controls
are effective and how we can manage Kauri Forests to minimise the
impact and spread of the disease. We need to weave in our
indigenous cultural knowledge with our scientific knowledge to be
as effective as we can be to halt this disease.
It is imperative therefore that there is good,
open, continual, consistent communication between the partners. In
my liaison role I hope to be effective at sharing both the cultural
and the scientific knowledge, so all parties can be up with the
play, consistent, and effective.
In terms of Community Engagement: Ultimately,
the Kauri Dieback Programme has to get out there and connect with
the community. We need to make the community aware of the extent of
the problem and to work out with the community what are the best
approaches to solving the problem. We need to be effective in
building up an awareness of this disease within our Forest-User
communities and to be consistent in our messages to these various
communities, across Aotearoa. Communities as diverse as: Mum, Dad
and the kids on a Sunday drive, Overseas Visitor BackPackers, Pig
Hunters (and dogs), Whanau Hapu Kaitiaki, and Mountain Bike riders,
for example.
I have lived in Hokianga for 20 years. We are a
close knit community who look out for each other, and we are used
to making the most of what we have - we still use no.8 wire! I have
undertaken community advocacy roles for many years, including Board
of Trustees activities, Environment Court appeals and Whanau Trust
Tangata Whenua advocacy. In recent years I have worked
for Northland Polytechnic as a tutor in Horticulture, Ecology,
Business and Sustainable Development, I have been self-employed as
a Tree Doctor and Business Consultant and I garden and orchard at
home.
I have a lot to learn and a lot to catch up on,
but I am very excited and honoured to be in this role, as one of a
team, to help protect our taonga, the Kauri.
If you have news, information, or problems about
the Kauri Dieback disease, especially in regard to stakeholder
liaison and community engagement, please do not hesitate to contact
me, 029 894 0773
Tena ra koutou, nga kaipanui, nga mihi. Ahakoa
he raruraru iti noiho ki tenei kaupapa, Tu Tonu Te Kauri, waea mai
029 894 0773