The Te Aroha Declaration

In 2014 seven members of the Wild Future Coalition gathered at Te Aroha to compose The Te Aroha Declaration, in support of humane and cautious intervention in New Zealand’s ecosystems.

The WildFuture Coalition includes scientists, teachers, conservationists, artists, musicians, researchers, hunters, trappers,horticulturalists, historians, healers, botanists, veterinarians, builders, authors, poets, doctors, farmers, business operators,bird-watchers, outdoor guides, documentary makers, homemakers, and gardeners and others.

Here is the text of the Te Aroha Declaration:

 As citizens of New Zealand / Aotearoa, we declare our duty to safeguard the vitality/mauri ofecosystems. Considering that nature is dynamic and evolution ongoing in ways that exceed full humanunderstanding, we recognize that any management interventions need to apply the PrecautionaryPrinciple.

Whakapuakina e matou nga kirirarau o Aotearoa, kia tiaki ai i te mauri o nga punaha taiao.
Hihiri ana te aoturoa, huri tonu te ao, whai maramatanga tonu te tangata, e ahukahuka ana matou ki te whakahaere urutomo me whai i te matapono ‘Precautionary Principle’.

Therefore, Na reira,

1. We support the right of humans and wildlife to a healthy, non-toxic environment.
E tautoko ana matou kia noho ai te tangata me nga koiora ki te taiao maori.

2. We understand that any species deemed a problem may have yet unrecognizedvital roles in ecosystems and may create opportunities for community economies.
E marama ana matou ko era koiora e kii ana he raruraru, tena pea he turanga tona i roto i nga punaha taiao, hei whai rawa mo te hapori.

3. We declare the right for communities/iwi to hunt safe game and to gather safe plants.
E whakapuaki ana matou kei nga hapori te mana ki te whai kararehe, ki te kohi rongoa me nga tipu kore-paihana.

4. We endorse the highest standards of animal welfare for all species.
E ohia ana matou te tiakitanga o te oranga o nga koiora katoa.

5. We assert the democratic right of communities/iwi to participate in making policies
that affect their environment.
E whakapae ana matou i te manapori o nga hapori ki te uru ki te whakatau i nga kaupapa here e hangai ana ki to ratou taiao.

6. We recognize the weight of citizens’ observations and local knowledge.
E tautoko ana matou i te mohiotanga me te matauranga o te kirirarau.

7. We require ecosystem studies to meet international standards for experimental design.
E hiahia ana matou i nga rangahau punaha taiao kia tutuki ai i nga paearu o te ao e nga whakamatautau.

8. We endorse the principles of the draft Ecocide Act 2010, which would hold to account Heads
of State, Ministers, CEOs, Directors and /or any persons who exercise powers over the
environment.

E ohia ana matou i nga matapono o te draft Ecocide Act 2010, ara, e tohu ana kei nga taumata kawana me nga taumata taiao te haepapa maatua.

 

WildFuture Coalition

Te Aroha, Aotearoa /New Zealand.

27th May 2014