Cawthron and Te Rūnaka o Awarua partner to enhance resilience of tio/bluff oyster
03 March 2026
Cawthron Institute and Te Rūnaka o Awarua are advancing a new initiative focused on enhancing the resilience of tio, the iconic Bluff oyster, as a taoka species.
The Tio for Tomorrow project brings together scientific expertise and kaitiaki leadership to support the restoration of wild tio populations in Te Ara-a-Kiwa, while laying foundations for a complementary hatchery capability that can strengthen long-term sustainability.
Land-based hatchery approaches provide a pathway to support both conservation and commercial outcomes. By improving genetic management, biosecurity procedures and technical capability, the initiative aims to help safeguard wild stocks of tio, building their resilience in the face of environmental pressures and restoring customary fisheries areas.
Cawthron and Awarua Rūnaka will engage with stakeholders to ensure strong whānau backing, clear biosecurity pathways and robust governance structures. This initiative is supported by Ngāi Tahu Seafood. Early pre-seed investment will enable taoka and intellectual property protection, financial modelling, social license development and technical procedure design.
The long-term vision is for restored and enhanced tio populations that can sustain customary harvests for future generations, while contributing to regional jobs and a diversified aquaculture sector grounded in ecological restoration and world-leading science.
Kia huhua ka taoka Roimata. May our treasured tio be bountiful.
