The inspiration to restore a maunga

A community group, Te Whakaoranga o Karioi (TWoK)  was set up to represent the Whāingaroa Raglan community's aspirations for predator trapping on Karioi and the potential employment and education opportunities that could come with these goals. 

Malibu Hamilton was the TWoK convenor who helped establish the Karioi Project’s goals and vision for a restored maunga together with about a dozen volunteers in 2009. 

The difference one person makes! Malibu is a champion of people and causes. 

We could not have done all the things we have done on Karioi without Malibu. He was full of good ideas and vision. He was also an encourager – keeping us going - especially when things got tough.  

Malibu often told us one thing he had learned over the years; that “we have to be willing to have the hard conversations with people while continuing to be soft on the relationship”. Accepting that sometimes we had different ideas about complex topics, we could nevertheless persevere, and figure things out together – while at the same time having those tough conversations – because what we wanted to achieve is so much bigger than any of us – and that was restoring a mountain.

Malibu left town without a farewell (he wouldn't have wanted the fuss!), but we know he was important to so many people – and our story is only a small story in the much bigger picture of his life. 

It is good to remember such an incredible person who has done so much for this community. Malibu’s passion is for justice and nature – he got on with things quietly but with great determination. 

Our hearts are grateful for all he has done. It means a lot to us to be able to tell this story about a person who has meant so much to so many! Nature thanks you Malibu!

Malibu Hamilton - TWoK convenor 

The Karioi Project (previously, Karioi Maunga ki te Moana), was gifted the name - Te Whakaoranga o Karioi in 2019 by Te Whakaoranga o Karioi (TWoK) and Tainui Awhiro representatives.