The Whitebait Connection Stream and Catchment Restoration Programme was developed by Stefan Seitzer and Vince Kerr. The current national coordinator is Kim Boyle.
For more information on Whitebait Connection Coordinators Click Here
The Whitebait Connection Programme is run under the auspices of the
Mountains To Sea - Nga Maunga Ki Te Moana Conservations Trust
In the vision of our Trust, the biodiversity of our ocean, coastal areas, our streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands is respected as a taonga (treasure). We view these systems as a whole with no boundaries. Restoration of any part of the system supports the whole. Ours is a special generation, we have the opportunity and obligation to reverse past trends of exploitation of the natural world. We feel there is an urgent need to halt continued degradation of the natural systems and biodiversity upon which all life ultimately depends. In the social and cultural realms there are positive paths forward which we will work to develop and support.
The Nga Maunga ki te Moana Conservation Trust was formed in 2002 as a charitable trust. The Trust is currently the home of the Experiencing Marine Reserves and Whitebait Connection programmes.
The Trust recognises the Treaty of Waitangi and will strive to honor the principles of this founding document. The partnership between the cultures challenges us to learn from and respect the knowledge and wisdom underlying the tikanga (tradition) of our indigenous culture. Empowerment and restoration of the kaitiakitanga (guardianship) is a critical challenge and an even greater opportunity in today's society.
The Trust sees education as a vital part of society and central to all environmental restoration. We will support the community in every way possible to develop environmental education that is based on experiential learning and engagement in real environmental challenges and opportunities facing communities.
The Trust works from a vision that sees communities ultimately holding the solutions and resources to tackle the environmental problems that we face today. The Trust will strive to work in ways that builds community involvement, fosters equity, and works toward a shared vision of ecological sustainability as the basis of all community.