Vision Mātauranga Māori
Harakeke flower heads, National New Zealand flax collection, Lincoln (Cissy Pan).
Our goal is to be a key, preferred provider for Māori in enhancing the sustainable value of land-based natural resources.
A formal agreement with Te Tumu Paeroa, the Office of the Māori Trustee, to work together is a significant step towards supporting sustainable development of Māori land assets. Up to 80% of Māori land (6% of the total New Zealand area) could be used more productively and sustainably, while supporting traditional values and aspirations. Areas of particular interest include land, soil, water and catchment management; land use opportunities; and improved management of biodiversity resources.
Biodiversity Use by Māori
Our research on coastal forest restoration in partnership with the Ruamaahua Islands Trust (Hauraki), Te Tapatoru a Toi (Ngāti Awa) and DOC has demonstrated the effectiveness of kaitiakitanga-based strategies for managing an ecosystem engineer, the grey-faced petrel. We have also facilitated the inter-iwi transfer of mātauranga between Rakiura and Ngāti Awa and revitalisation of customary practices relating to the harvest and processing of greyfaced petrels.
National New Zealand Flax Collection
We are custodians of this Core-funded collection, which includes many cultivars of traditional importance to Māori. This year, 20 divisions were supplied on request for pā harakeke and we welcomed weavers wanting to harvest suitable leaves for particular projects. We hosted 53 visitors during the year. The very active Māori and Polynesian Textile Plants Facebook page has 1170 likes.
Developing Māori Capability in Soils
In conjunction with Te Ara Pūtaiao (a pan-CRI partnership), Landcare Research is involved in regional scale and farm scale economic development projects, including with the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board and Makirikiri Aggregated Trust. Through effective relationship building, bespoke science/economic solutions, and the development of integrated decision-making tools, we are enabling Māori to create and implement successful, mātauranga Māori-based economic development schemes.
