Our relationship with Ngāi Tahu is of key strategic importance. Meridian is committed to working with Ngāi Tahu to identify opportunities to partner on social, environmental, commercial and cultural endeavours.

This strategic approach seeks to foster our relationship with Ngāi Tahu through opportunities for positive partnership. As our understanding of Ngāi Tahu has grown, we have continued to recognise the importance of adopting a more inclusive approach to our relationships with Ngāi Tahu whanui in the regions, acknowledging that it is our connections with local Runanga (tribal councils) that will ultimately determine the strength of our future relationship.

We are beginning to understand where the opportunities for future partnerships may lie. One such initiative over the past year is based on the Aoraki Bound partnership agreement signed in February 2007 (LINK).

Another initiative, Project Mahinga Kai, recognises the opportunities we have to partner with Ngāi Tahu whanui in the revitalisation of Mahinga Kai practices and values in the South Island.

Mahinga Kai is a concept that encompasses both food gathering and environmental protection. It exemplifies the complex, interconnected cultural beliefs of Ngāi Tahu in relation to the environment, describing not only the species gathered (be it eels, shellfish or whitebait) but also the places and practices involved in doing so.

The Mahinga Kai project seeks to develop, in partnership with Ngāi Tahu, a framework and approach to revitalise these practices. Although at an early stage, Project Mahinga Kai has the potential to redefine the relationship we currently have with Ngāi Tahu.