This generation of kaitiaki
Amorangi Apaapa, Nikki Rapana, Zacaraiah Mikaere, Whetu Apaapa and Shaun Peters.
Continuing the whānau legacy, Whetu Apaapa and his brothers have dedicated their lives to the Kaimai.
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).