The Kaituna Pātaka Kai Project is a collaboration led by tāngata whenua representatives of Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority, a co-governance entity established as a result of the Tapuika Claims Settlement Act 2014.

The team share their journey of preserving and revitalising mātauranga, tikanga and kawa of freshwater taonga species, in particular tuna, īnanga, kōura, koaro and kākahi. This includes a pilot study to develop and test mātauranga-led freshwater fisheries monitoring and habitat restoration. This would be guided by māramataka; koeke and pūkenga interviews; waiata as well as hītori (i.e. where kaiawa used to be); as well as whānau wānanga (i.e. where restoration needs to be prioritised)