RA 1.3 Video: Te Tukumate - The Pathogen

Nathan D. 2024. Te Tukumate - The Pathogen [Documentary]. YouTube, Toi Taiao Whakatairangi

YouTube Video Link: https://youtu.be/H5whI8Kh8iQ

Te Taiao Whakatairanga, a cross-disciplinary research project bringing together arts, science and te ao Māori to raise awareness of threats to the health of our ngāhere, specifically among people and communities affected by, or at risk of being affected by kauri dieback and myrtle rust.

My work reflects on man’s role in catalysing ecological threats to biodiversity such as phytophthora agathidicida. It suggests that collectively we have yet to fully grasp the consequences of the current neo-liberal, hyper-materialistic socio-economic paradigm of mindless consumption and disregard of natural life systems.

The work draws parallels between human and pathogenic behaviour and questions persistent base assumptions around human agency and extractive ideology in interactions with the rest of the natural world cosmos.

The video incorporates one of my whākairo works 'Ngā Whētai o ngā Tūpuna' in reference to our accountability to our ancestors and descendants.