An aerial view at sunrise, the Noises group of islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Image: Gareth Cooke/Project Kahurangi
Aroha in action sums up the three passionate wahine Māori who star in a new docuseries asking people to work together to restore Tīkapa Moana. By Cassie Roma
When we’re young, we’re full of imagination and hope. As we grow older and learn about the world around us, especially when it comes to the state of the natural world, it feels like solutions to healing te taiao are nigh on unimaginable.
Forest & Bird magazine
A version of this story was first published in the Winter 2025 issue of Forest & Bird magazine.
But, for a moment – right now – imagine a world with clean air above us, healthy whenua land below us, and a thriving moana ocean of crystal-clear waters.
Imagine aroha in action. Communities connected through action. Imagine the Hauraki Gulf – alive with diverse ecosystems, her biodiversity in balance, and te taiao nature restored to her full glory.
This kind of imagining is at the heart of Heal the Hauraki, a three-part docuseries brought to life by filmmakers Mandy Kupenga and me, Cassie Roma.
As a first-time director and producer on the project, I’ve spent 20 years in marketing and advertising, working with some of the world’s most iconic brands. I’m now “Robin Hooding” my experience to bring impactful stories of hope and change to Aotearoa and beyond.
My goal in life is to be a good ancestor. Working on this project and imbuing my work and life in te ao Māori has given me such passion and purpose.
More than a docuseries, Heal the Hauraki is an action-based, aroha-laden, environmental impact campaign that reaches from the natural world into the digital world.
Kina barrens are destroying native kelp beds, Hauraki Gulf. Image: Darryl Torckler
Across three in-depth episodes that focus on whenua land, moana ocean, and tangata people, Mandy Kupenga spends a “day in the life” with a wāhine Māori leading significant work to turn around the ecological collapse of the Hauraki Gulf.
Throughout the series, viewers will uncover the experts’ passion and drive to restore te taiao to her most energised state, working with the community. Their stories are beautifully shared through the lens of both mātauranga Māori indigenous wisdom and western science.
In each episode, Dr Dan Hikuroa, of Auckland University, brings science, mātauranga, and the ideals of shared knowledge and worldviews to cement hope, healing, and joy into topics that can often be overwhelming or scary. New Zealand environmental hero of the year Nicola Macdonald, cochair Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and Hauraki Gulf Forum, is also interviewed, along with regenerative ecologist and te taiao practitioner Charmaine Bailie, who was New Zealand’s environmental hero in 2022.
Leading viewers through the Tangata: Aroha in Activism episode is Waiheke local board councillor Bianca Ranson, who is also Forest & Bird’s Hauraki Gulf advocate.
Filmmakers Cassie Roma and Mandy Kupenga. Image: Emily Chalk
Bianca’s deep knowledge of, and firm foundation in, aroha in action across her lifetime made her an absolute dream storyteller to bring impact and kindness to environmental and cultural action.
Filmed over two days on Waiheke Island, Kupenga and crew headed there to learn about Bianca’s work, her drive to get youth out into nature and on the right track.
During the episode, we also meet locals working at the Waiheke Native Bird Rescue helping to bring connection to wildlife and humanity in tandem.
“Heal the Hauraki is a vital kaupapa that champions the protection, restoration, and celebration of the biodiversity and ecosystems of Tikapa Moana,” says Bianca.
“It is a powerful call to action, an invitation for communities, tangata whenua, and organisations to unite in kaitiakitanga and collective responsibility.
“Together, we hold the power to create meaningful, lasting change.”
The Heal the Hauraki team filmed Bianca at a protest. Image supplied
A tireless campaigner for the restoration of the Hauraki Gulf, Bianca regularly heads to the Beehive to meet with decision-makers to find positive pathways forward.
“For me, being part of this kaupapa is not just a choice. It’s a deeply personal commitment. It reflects everything I stand for and believe in when it comes to the wellbeing and mauri of our moana.
“The time to act is now, and I’m proud to stand alongside others who are determined to heal, protect, and honour Tikapa Moana.”
Mandy Kupenga, an environmentalist, TV host, producer, and fisher, loved her time filming on Waiheke Island, saying it was deeply moving.
Bianca in the studio. Image supplied
“Working with Bianca and hearing the stories about her mahi alongside rangatahi, local community boards, national environmental campaigns, and global movements inspired me beyond my greatest imaginings. We need more Biancas in this world.”
More than stories, Heal the Hauraki is a call to action, impact campaign, and community of change. We will be driving positive change through our social media and action hub healthehauraki.com
Here we will share aroha across generations, audience segments, and geographies – this project is what the world – and Tīkapa Moana – needs.
The docuseries was released in June 2025 and can be watched online. Catch Bianca’s episode on YouTube in July, follow the filmmaking and social media journey on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, and dive into stories aimed to turn the tides.
Join us on the journey. Be part of the solution at healthehauraki.co.nz