Lisa McNab

Tēnā koutou katoa

Tēnei he mokopuna i ahu mai i ngā iwi e rima o Muriwhenua, o roto i Te Hiku o Te Ika.

I whānau mai au i roto a Kaitāia, ko Te Paatu tōku kainga noho.

I mārena ahau i tētahi tāne nō Kōtirana (Scotland). Tokotoru ngā tāmariki, tokorima ngā mokopuna.

Being brought up at Tauroa by my grandparents has instilled in me a passion for preserving the natural beauty of Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhe and safeguarding its future. I am dedicated to advocating for and on behalf of whānau to ensure that a pathway is secured to enable this to happen.

The environment, a delicate web of interconnected ecosystems that sustains life on our planet, faces unprecedented challenges in the 21st century. As human activities have grown in scale and complexity, so too have the impacts on Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhe. Our actions have led to water pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss, threatening the foundations of Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhe as we know it.

Amidst these daunting challenges, a local movement for environmental stewardship has emerged. whānau from all walks of life, united by a shared concern for our rohe, have begun to work tirelessly to conserve and protect our natural heritage: Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhe, the Toheroa, whēnua, Te Wairoa, to name a few.

This movement, the Ahipara Takiwā, of which I am a proud marae, hapū and whānau member, recognises nature's intrinsic value and its critical role in supporting our well-being.

Acknowledging our differences is necessary, but what is more important is how we work hand in hand to preserve the beauty and diversity of Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhe for generations to come.

Kia tū kotahi ai tātou, hei kaitiaki, hei pou tangata, kia tika, kia rere pai te huarahi, kia whakaū ai te Mauri o Te-Oneroa-a-Tōhe.