Mātauranga Māori For Biological Heritage

Tranche 1: Project 1.1

Whakamanahia ngā mātauranga o nehe hai oranga tangata, oranga taiao

Kaumātua-(elder) led research that puts Māori methods and mātauranga (knowledge) first is a key part of restoring Aotearoa New Zealand’s land and freshwater ecosystems.

This is the fundamental concept behind this project, facilitated by Cawthron Institute’s Dr James Ataria and BioHeritage Kaihautū Ngātahi Māori Melanie Mark-Shadbolt.

The team is co-designing their research with kaumātua (Māori knowledge-holders) and end-users.

Overview Te Tirohanga Whānui

Restore and futureproof the pre-colonial transfer of mātauranga Māori Contribute to the BioHeritage Challenge mission: to reverse the decline of New Zealand’s biological heritage

Highlights Ngā Mahi Whakahirahira

The real impact of this project has been the empowerment of biodiversity knowledge-holders to lead and guide research.

Giving them space and place to kōrero (talk) about the issues they are facing in maintaining and transferring their mātauranga has been invaluable and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

We have found our knowledge holders to be extremely open because the process has been tika (right).

Team Members Ngā kaimahi

  • James Ataria – Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa; Cawthron Institute
  • Melanie Mark-Shadbolt – Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou, Te Arawa, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa
  • Simon Lambert – Tūhoe, Ngāti Ruapani ki Waikaremoana; University of Saskatchewan

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated September 25, 2024, 10:21 (NZST)
Created March 11, 2024, 16:56 (NZDT)