The Last Cry of the Whale: A Fundraiser for Whale Survival

Mere Takoko is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Kia ora, greetings to all my relations.

My name is Mere Takoko. As an indigenous Māori conservationist, I've been working with a committed experienced team to lead a huge effort to establish legal personhood for whales and the Moananui Sanctuary, a safe haven for whales (tohorā) and other marine life in the Pacific.

The ocean, a realm of beauty and power, is sacred in Māori cosmology as the realm of Tangaroa, guardian of all marine life. Our connection to the ocean is profound, integral to our cultural identity, providing sustenance and pathways for voyaging. Whales, or tohorā, are particularly significant, symbolising strength, wisdom, and our connection to the divine.

However, the ocean's balance is changing. Tohorā, among other marine species, face unprecedented threats from climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. Increasing ocean acidity disrupts the marine food web, threatening their ability to find food and sustain populations.

Imagine the vast ocean, once echoing with the songs of the tohorā. Now, in some areas, these songs fade, replaced by a silence that speaks of their struggle—the whale's last cry, a desperate plea for help.

That's why I was driven to establish the Moananui Sanctuary Trust with Dr Ralph Chami --the nature advocate and economist that brought the world's attention to how we have significantly undervalued the role of whales in our ecosystems. More than a protected area, the Moananui Sanctuary is a sacred commitment to protect these sentient beings for generations. The sanctuary will combine traditional Indigenous knowledge with modern science, including:

Protecting critical habitats: Ensuring safe breeding and feeding grounds.

Reducing human impact: Mitigating pollution and harmful activities.

Promoting research and education: Deepening understanding and fostering stewardship.

Upholding indigenous equity: Ensuring the our protocols provide for indigenous equity in sanctuary management.

Establishing the Moananui Sanctuary requires collective action. I urge all who cherish the ocean to support this vital mission. Your contribution to "The Last Cry of the Whale: A Fundraiser for Whale Survival" will directly help make this vision a reality, providing essential resources for conservation programs to protect these magnificent creatures.

Every contribution counts. Together, we can answer the whale's last cry and ensure the ocean's symphony continues for generations.

Ngā mihi nui (thank you very much)

Mere Takoko xx