Ngāti Tara hapū has vested the largest remaining stand of wetland forest on the ring plain in Taranaki with the Queen Elizabeth II Trust so it will be protected in perpetuity.

The 20 hectares of wetland forest on Kina Road was blessed and officially launched in July at Te Potaka Pā and then at the Pipiriki block.

Kaumātua from the village of Pipiriki on the Whanganui River attended the blessing to recognise their link with Ngāti Tara, which was established when the people of Pipiriki came to support prophets, Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kakahi. They brought harakeke from Pipiriki with them.

With support from Te Puni Kōkiri Te Taihauāuru office, the Māori Trustee played a significant role in facilitating the project, according to Te Uraura Nganeko, Te Kaiwhakarite from the regional office.

An uri of Te Tūahu and Mere Waiti Te Wehenga Waiwiri who farmed the block in the late 1800s, Te Uraura explained the many uses that had been derived from the forest area including harakeke, mud or pigment for dying the harakeke and numerous plants for rongoā.

With its QEII open space covenant, Pipiriki block will continue to be an important provider for generations to come.