Brendan Flack, East Otago Taiapure chairman, was recently presented with the Wild Dunedin Wild Hero prize for “going beyond and beyond” in support of the environment, nature, and wildlife of Dunedin.
Flack was humble when he spoke of his achievement, saying that the award was not just for his work but also for the work done by past and present committee members.
“It is amazing that the past three decades of work have been recognized.
“The main thing is that it acknowledges the work done by those before us, and those who will follow us.”
The committee and Mr Flack manage a shared fishery that includes customary, recreational, and commercial fishing interests.
He explained that the taiapure is a collection of fish, seaweeds, and other aquatic life. It is managed for the community by the community, in compliance with tikanga Maori to ensure a healthy future fishery.
“The elders of Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki applied for the project 30 years ago.
“It took more than a decade to get through that political climate.
“There was a lot of confusion and concern about what taiapure was and what it might do for quite some time.
“We worked hard to get something like that in place, not just for certain sections of the community but for everyone.”
He was happy with the award but he believed that the main reward was yet to come.
“The main objective of the project is to ensure that future generations have access and enjoy healthy fisheries.
He said, “And its working is the real reward.”
