The manu (birds) chirp louder and louder as the Ngā Mata Hiringa kaimahi (workers) follow the trapline deeper and deeper into the ngahere (forest).
"They’re not happy,” says operations manager Whetu Apaapa (Ngāti Hinerangi, Raukawa, Tainui, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Terangi, Ngāti Pukenga), “let’s wrap it up”.
They quickly finish re-baiting the rat trap and turn around, heading back to their base at Waitaia lodge.
For a normal job, you might get a slap on the wrist for finishing early but for Whetu and his tīma (team), it’s encouraged as their intrinsic Mātauranga Māori (knowledge) and listening to the needs of the ngahere guides their kaupapa (approach).
“Mātauranga is part of everything we do,” says the 29-year-old.
“Being Māori, it’s just natural. If I’m out in the ngahere, it’s about following your intuition – thinking without outside influence. We start the day, tīmatanga (commence), with a karakia (prayer) and when we move through the ngahere we respect the rākau (trees)”.
