Marine heatwaves & oceanic changes
New Zealand is surrounded by ocean, and both our climate and our climate extremes (such as droughts, heatwaves, floods and tropical storms) are highly impacted by ocean temperatures. The ocean is also changing rapidly – it’s absorbing more heat, ocean currents are shifting, and we’re experiencing longer and more intense marine heatwaves. The more we... Read more »...
Embedding adaptation
In partnership with mana whenua, communities, local and regional councils and other stakeholder groups, this research is developing and implementing “adaptation pathways” in four communities in the Manawatū-Whanganui and Taranaki regions – Putiki and Tangimoana in Manawatū-Whanganui; Waitōtara and Rohutu Block in Taranaki. We will be focussing particularly on how power and politics shape interactions... Read more »...
He whakaneke a te hapori o Te Hāpua ki tētahi ara haumaru
Relocating Te Hāpua to safety as sea levels rise The relocation of marae communities at threat from rising seas is a deeply complex issue. The Far North coastal community of Te Hāpua is vulnerable to rising sea levels. We stand to lose significant taonga, including our wāhi tapu, our whare karakia, our whare kōhanga reo... Read more »...
Eating with my Tuupuna
Climate resilience for Waikato hauanga kai Our traditional kai plays a critical role in our cultural health and well-being. Despite immense pressure, the Waikato River and Manukau Harbour systems have long provided a source of health, economic and cultural sustenance to the people of Te Puuaha. Our research moemoea is to enhance our cultural, environmental,... Read more »...
Te Huka o Te Tai
Protecting our takutai in the Eastern Bay of Plenty As a remote and coastal Māori community, we have inherited responsibilities for protecting the legacy of our takutai and its wellbeing. Our people today depend heavily on the takutai for subsistence living, and our responsibilities also extend to future generations. Through the 2019 Nga Rohe Moana... Read more »...
Kōhanga pēpi kōura
Creating pēpi kōura nurseries to protect against a changing climate This action research project supports the restoration of our taonga species, kōura (red rock lobster or crayfish), in a changing climate. Existing research on kōura is primarily focussed on commercial fisheries, which are governed and assessed by western science. In contrast, our research looks to... Read more »...
Ki te whare tū tonu, ki te whare manawaroa
Towards a climate resilient meeting house Climate changes such as high winds have lifted the roof of the whare tīpuna of Patuheuheu-Ngāti Haka, and changes to the water table have impacted on sewerage and drinking water systems. The hapū are looking to rebuild their marae to be resilient to these climate impacts. Patuheuheu-Ngāti Haka hapū... Read more »...
Are the kina still fat when pōhutukawa bloom?
For generations, Ngāti Whakahemo have used the whakataukī of the flowering pōhutukawa as a tohu to tell us when the kina are ripe and ready to harvest at Motunau (Plate Island) and on its surrounding reefs. Unfortunately, kaumātua and kaitiaki have begun to observe that the way the pōhutukawa blossoms (when, for how long, and... Read more »...
He Pā Mataora
Learning to live with the Living Pā He Pā Mataora will seize the rare opportunity afforded in the lead-up to the opening of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Living Pā building to explore the needs and challenges of moving an entire marae community into more climate adaptive and resilient practices. Our research will delve into... Read more »...
Te Ara o Raukawa Moana
Active kaitiakitanga in response to climate change Ko Te Rauparaha te rangatira o Kāpiti me Te Moana-a-Raukawa Raukawa Moana, the Cook Strait, is of the highest cultural and spiritual significance to Ngāti Toa Rangatira. Our seafaring and waka histories and traditions enabled travel across the sea highway for raupatu, trade, seasonal customory harvesting, events and... Read more »...