Maara Moana – the world’s first ocean garden

There are places where typical protection in the form of reserves or national parks is not enough. One example is the oceanic coastline of New Zealand, with its damaged coral reefs and barren areas overtaken by sea urchins. To restore them, the world’s first ocean garden, Maara Moana, was created. The local Māori community is strongly involved in both its creation and protection, which gives the project a good chance of success.

Coming to the rescue of a coral reef dominated by sea urchins

Fewer and fewer oceanic areas surrounding New Zealand are home to coral reefs. One might think this only concerns diving enthusiasts, but the issue runs much deeper. The poor state of the natural environment favors an invasive species – sea urchins. These marine animals are becoming increasingly dominant in ocean depths, creating barren zones devoid of plant life.

The sea urchin invasion poses a serious threat to ocean biodiversity. Coral reef degradation means the loss of food sources and fish spawning grounds. The survival of many New Zealand species – mussels, scallops, abalone, seaweeds, and crayfish – is also under threat.

How does the Maara Moana ocean garden work?

An ocean garden is not a nature reserve left to itself, but a place of active involvement by scientists, students, and local environmentalists – this is the essence of how Maara Moana functions. Even strict protection would be insufficient here. A damaged ecosystem needs something more: restoration.

This goal is to be achieved through a combination of several actions. Sea urchins, harmful to the ecosystem, are systematically removed. Their place is to be taken by endangered species, currently cultivated in underwater nurseries. A key element of the Maara Moana ocean garden is a laboratory (also located underwater), where the environment and water quality are continuously monitored, and the best methods for protecting marine flora and fauna are developed.

Before the ocean garden was established, the region underwent thorough inventorying and research. More than 300 species of plants, fish, and invertebrates were catalogued, and environmental DNA was collected to better understand ecosystem dynamics.

Maara Moana is open to all interested parties: scientists, researchers, and also diving tourists willing to respect the rules in place and observe the innovative methods of restoring balance and biodiversity.

An underwater ocean garden cared for by the local community

Students, scientists, and Māori – the Indigenous people who have inhabited these lands for 800 years – are working on the project. One of the local leaders is Howard Reti, who speaks about the Māori role in protecting local underwater ecosystems:

Our role as Kaitaki (guardians) is not only to impose rāhui* to protect fish and manage their trade. We must undergo a shift in mindset: from simply taking from the ocean to actively restoring it.

*Rāhui is a Māori concept meaning a restriction on access to a certain area, usually to protect nature or to show respect to the deceased.

The idea of an ocean garden (in Māori: maara moana) is closely aligned with the Māori worldview. The Indigenous people of New Zealand have always emphasized living in harmony with nature and leaving both land and ocean in the best possible condition for future generations. For over 800 years, they have developed ways of caring for the natural environment, which scientists today can draw from in their efforts to increase biodiversity along New Zealand’s coastlines.

Wise leadership until… the year 3025

The change in how the ocean is used by the local community, entrepreneurs, and authorities needs to happen quickly. Underwater flora and fauna can no longer wait for better living conditions. However, the project itself is… a truly long-term initiative. The vision of restoring bonds with nature, reviving life and culture, and repairing what was destroyed by colonizers spans the next 1,000 years – until the year 3025.

This long-term commitment to caring for New Zealand’s ocean coastline stems from the traditional worldview and mindset of the Māori. Members of this community have always felt a spiritual connection with their ancestors, but they also look to the future, striving to leave as many resources as possible for the generations to come.

Will it be possible to restore Maara Moana’s natural character and take care of it for the next 1,000 years? It’s an ambitious plan – but that’s exactly what an ocean garden needs.

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main photo: Shellie/Flickr