Friday 15 December, 2023
In the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, the Environmental Protection Agency provided 40 baseline Environmental DNA (eDNA) testing kits and additional support to community groups wanting to use eDNA testing to measure the effects of the cyclone on their local waterways. Gisborne District Council provided an additional 20 baseline testing kits to support this work in Tairawhiti.
It is hoped that through this project, out of devastation will come the opportunity to plan for the future and to make positive changes.
Environmental DNA, or eDNA, refers to all the tiny traces of genetic material that is left behind as living things pass through water or soil. A common method for collecting DNA is to use a special collection kit that filters water and traps biological material. The DNA can then be extracted from the material captured on the filter in a lab. The kits contain a large syringe with a filter that captures particles containing eDNA. Preservative is then injected into the filter capsule to keep the DNA fresh while it is transported to the laboratory for analysis.
So far, kits have been distributed to all entry points of Te Tairāwhiti including the East Coast, Waipiro Bay, Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Waimata, Waihirere Manutuke and Muriwai Whatatutu. The first round of post-cyclone testing has now been completed, with a second round to take place over summer. This will give these groups the ability to monitor over time, to better understand the impacts of the cyclone within their awa.
Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao (Open Waters Aotearoa) will be supporting groups by providing other useful resources, such as webinars on how to analyse test results and information on potential ways to share this data in a meaningful way. This will help groups to make informed decisions about the future of their awa and wetlands. Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao is currently supporting over a dozen project groups in cyclone affected areas through their cyclone project and previous funding rounds. Iwi, rōpū and project groups involved include:
Te Tairāwhiti
- Maungarongo Restoration Group
- Gisborne District Council
- Waipiro Bay East Coast
- Tokomaru Bay East Coast
- Waimata Catchment Group
- Whatatutu Whanau Group
- Rongowhaakata Taiao Team
- Muriwai Taiao Team
- Mahaki Taiao Team
