Michaela Richards—PhD Candidate

This research examines the connections people have with the land, and how these shape and inform the work of conservation. Through a detailed qualitative study of Taranaki Mounga I explore how different actors imagine and enact ideas of sacred space. My research includes attention to the New Zealand Government, Māori, and other communities in the region as they engage in conservation work, including particularly pest control.  Focusing on Taranaki Mounga, I explore how diverse communities in the region articulate their relationship with the mountain, and how this relates to their engagement with conservation. My research investigates the perspectives of diverse community groups, including community conservation organisations, Māori communities, tramping clubs, and other stakeholders. Therefore, the central research question guiding this research is: How do notions of sacred space or spirituality inform the ways people engage with conservation on Taranaki Mounga? This research seeks to understand what motivates people to engage in conservation work in order to better understand how to improve pest-control, environmental protection and ecological regeneration activities. My focus is on ideas of sacred space and spiritualities of the land, through which people value and relate to the environment.

Michaela is a PhD candidate in Religious Studies at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand.