Description

Join Victoria University of Wellington’s Dr Pauline Harris (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaka and Ngāti Kahungunu), Professor Rawinia Higgins (Tūhoe) and Dr Ocean Mercier Van Berkel (Ngāti Porou) for an evening of Kotahi te anga whakamua―he tiaki taiao/Mātauranga Māori and sustainability.

Dr Harris will talk about her research at the interface of Māori and western science, including around traditional ecological knowledge and climate change. She uses tools and knowledge from both systems to engage in research with communities and knowledge holders to revitalise and generate knowledge of Māori astronomy and maratamaka (Māori traditional calendars).

Professor Higgins will explain the thinking behind the University’s Living Pā project, a uniquely Māori multipurpose teaching, learning, engagement, and research complex that targets the highest level of sustainability.

Dr Mercier will discuss Māori approaches to te taiao management, drawing from projects in the domains of whenua, freshwater and moana. She will explore applications of mātauranga and tikanga and how peoples’ connections to place deepen their commitments to manage and alleviate pressures on te taiao.