Tāhuna Glenorchy
Tāhuna Glenorchy and the Head of Lake Whakatipu hold deep cultural significance, serving as a sacred site for seven Māori runaka since the 1100s. The area has been a hub for pounamu (nephrite jade) collection, food resources, and education, with a 160-year settler history. The village is the gateway to Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site and Mt Aspiring National Park. In 2025, Tāhuna Glenorchy became New Zealand’s fourth International Dark Sky Sanctuary with a focus on protecting the region’s critical biodiversity and opportunities to grow learning of mātauranga (Māori knowledge) of the stars. Climate change has led to flooding from melting glaciers and changes in seasonality affecting beech forests, which in turn has caused an explosion of predator populations threatening native species. Additionally, drought and excessive rainfall are negatively impacting local farmers. The Southern Lakes Sanctuary is working on species reintroduction and other conservation efforts. The community is highly engaged in blending traditional Māori knowledge with modern climate science. Collaborating with local and regional governments, they aim to create climate resilience strategies, fostering environmental protection and heritage preservation for future generations.
