Kōura, pāua and kina are staple foods in Tairāwhiti, but future generations are unlikely to get a chance to enjoy them.
That's one of the key climate change impacts on East Coast communities that will be discussed at a summit in Tairāwhiti today.
Iwi representatives, 150 councillors, industry leaders and locals are gathering at Te Tino o Porou Conference centre, for the first in a series of regional climate summits.
Meriana Johnsen reports.
