Whanake te kura i Tawhitinui – Building resilience within Māori communities

Project Summary 

Mātauranga Māori enriches and broadens the knowledge and solutions science provides in response to natural hazards. When these dual knowledge systems engage in mutually respectful relationships the benefits are far reaching. Indigenous led and focused solutions are capable of informing preparation and post hazard actions. The reframing of ‘natural hazards’ in accordance with an Indigenous lens has the potential to strengthen identity, understanding of cultural and physical landscapes along with health and wellbeing. 

Reclaiming and reimagining mātauranga Māori as a creative and valid knowledge system responsive to the many landscape changing occurrences being experienced across Aotearoa New Zealand is a necessity in this current age. Being, knowing and doing in reflection of mātauranga Māori will further enhance a community's ability to transform and thrive in response to these challenges. 

This publication will draw in Māori researchers from across the resilience research space to highlight the importance of building resilience within our Māori communities and the ways that this is already happening, particularly in disaster-stricken regions and communities. The publication will be accessible, visually aesthetic with high-resolution images and magazine style academic prose and writing. We aim to produce a publication that is academic as well as accessible by all of our communities. 

This publication proposes to:
 • increase the visibility, understanding and transformational potential of mātauranga Māori in natural hazard research and resilience.
 • create a comprehensive collection of research undertaken by Whanake Te Kura I Tawhitinui researchers in collaboration with whānau, hapū and whānau.
 • redefine solutions to natural hazards as determined by a mātauranga Māori lens.
 • make this transformational research accessible to those who will benefit most.

Project Lead

Dr Acushla Dee Sciascia, Ngāruahine Rangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Āti Awa, Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

Team

Kristie-Lee Thomas, Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Tohora, Rapuwai, University of Canterbury

Professor Taiarahia Black, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Whānau a Apanui, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi

Dr Darren Ngaru King, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, Independent

Dr Peter Meihana, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō, Ngāi Tahu, Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa

Israel Birch, Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Tawake, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Independent (ringatoi)

Professor Regan Potangaroa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Massey University - Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Albany)

Dr Ruakere Hond, Taranaki, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Āti Awa, Tuhi Productions

Lara Taylor, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pāhauwera, Ngāi Tahu ki Murihiku, Kaiwhakahaere, E Oho! Awakening Aotearoa

Tonga Karena, Te Āti Awa, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tuhi Productions