Volume One 3. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi based upon human sensory perceptions and spiritual association, to be used alongside existing environmental indicators in state of the environment monitoring. Issue 3E – Difficulties in accessing and using cultural resources in traditional ways. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi traditionally relied upon the flora and fauna of Marlborough for their survival. The sea, coastal waters of the Marlborough Sounds, foreshore, rivers and river mouths, bush and wetlands all provided abundant sources of food and were valuable mahinga kai. Foods of traditional cultural importance to Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi include but are not limited to tītī (muttonbirds), tuna (eel), īnanga, watercress, pūhā, kōura (freshwater crayfish) and shellfish. Natural resources are not only used for food, but have traditionally been used in cultural practices and activities such as medicine, weaving, carving and other arts. Some plants are particularly significant in this regard, including flax and pīngao for weaving, the tōtara tree for carving and kawakawa and koromiko for medicinal purposes. Some locations are particularly significant as mahinga kai or as a source of other cultural resources, such as Te Hoiere (Pelorus Sound) for snapper breeding. Across New Zealand and Marlborough, the natural environment has been highly modified. Much of the land, particularly lowland areas, has been cleared of forest or wetland vegetation to make way for new land uses. Freshwater and coastal water resources have also been modified through river and creek diversions, the construction of flood defences, the reclamation of the sea bed, water abstraction and the discharge of contaminants into rivers and coastal water. The loss of ecosystems has resulted in a corresponding decrease in the number and variety of mahinga kai and a reduction in the abundance and quality of ngā kai (traditional foods) and mātaitai (seafood) within them. Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi believe that this places even more significance on the areas that remain. They also believe that remaining mahinga kai are still being affected by resource use, especially those uses and activities in rivers, wetlands and coastal areas. The change in land tenure that occurred with European settlement has also created difficulties for Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi in accessing mahinga kai, as well as areas that contain other cultural resources. Some areas are now privately owned or can only be accessed through private land, creating barriers to the ability of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi to continue the cultural harvest or activities they were historically able to. Legal barriers can also prevent the harvest of traditional foods kai and other cultural resources, such as the protection afforded to endangered species. Difficulties accessing mahinga kai and using traditional foods have an impact upon the mana of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi, as this adversely affects the ability of each iwi and whānau within the iwi to provide for their family and to care for guests. It also compromises their mana by impairing their ability to fulfil their role and responsibilities to kaitiakitanga. Furthermore, it presents barriers to the maintenance and enhancement of traditional cultural practices. Issue 3F – The provision of papakāinga . In Marlborough, particular iwi and/or whānau retain significant tracts of land, for example in the Marlborough Sounds and in the vicinity of Wairau Pā. This land is held in multiple ownership of iwi or whānau members and in most cases has not been developed, or has only been developed in a minimal way by the owners. Even so, Māori have a special spiritual and cultural attachment to this land, which is described as Māori land in terms of the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993. Additionally, some land returned to iwi through settlement processes and in freehold title is regarded by Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi as Māori land. There are tribal or whānau aspirations to exercise rangatiratanga over Mā ori land to use this land resource for the betterment of whānau or iwi members. In particular, there is a strong desire among Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi to provide papakāinga. This could be the provision of a 3 – 11