Author: Zoe Heine

Severe and urgent challenges

Flooding in commercial buildings Christchurch 2018

Project Summary from the research project “Adapting to compound flood hazards led by Andrew Allison and Judy Lawrence

Severe and urgent challenges

Climate change has arrived: hazard events like extreme weather are impacting low-lying coastal areas more often as well as affecting wider areas. Different coastal hazards often occur at the same time, and they interact to produce worse impacts, but there is uncertainty around the timing, frequency and severity of hazard impacts. Much of New Zealand’s infrastructure is located on low-lying coastal plains that are vulnerable to coastal hazards. Infrastructure providers, such as Councils in these areas, face more severe and urgent challenges due to climate change. Many types of low-lying infrastructure may fail under seemingly small increments of sea-level rise, even of less than half a metre.

Water infrastructure providers are required to service freshwater, stormwater and wastewater systems and minimise costs despite this uncertainty. Water infrastructure failures will have wide-ranging impacts on society, affecting health, economics and recreational amenity. There are also considerable political implications. Traditional approaches to climate change adaptation have not yet identified ‘robust’ actions that can perform well under a range of possible futures.

Exploring decision-making for low-lying infrastructure

Our project used decision-making under deep uncertainty (DMDU) approaches and developed models to investigate ways in which compounding climate change hazards may affect low-lying infrastructure over the next 100 years.

We utilised seven methods – scoping workshops, system mapping, dynamic adaptive pathways planning (DAPP), simulation modelling, robust decision-making (RDM), real options analysis (ROA) and validation workshops. These methods were used to identify thresholds where current and proposed adaptation actions for water infrastructure no longer meet their objectives, and to encourage timely decision-making for new adaptation. We applied the methods to model adaptation strategies for two low-lying, coastal wastewater treatment plants (WWTP); Helensville WWTP in rural north Auckland, and Seaview WWTP in Petone, Wellington.

We identified adaptation thresholds for these case studies and identified when new adaptive actions would need to be undertaken to avoid these thresholds. We stress-tested proposed actions, identifying how long they would be effective for. Our modelling showed that some proposed adaptive actions would not be effective at avoiding adaptation thresholds at all. In the case of Helensville WWTP, one adaptive action is only suitable for use as an interim measure before the WWTP will need to be moved away from a hazard-prone area due to unavoidable future sea-level rise. This is will involve significant cost and risk. For Seaview WWTP, implementing the right adaptive actions will allow the plant to remain on site for its design life.

Discovering the costs of inaction

We used ROA to identify the costs of inaction, and to determine the relative costs of a set of viable adaptation pathways that are robust to future uncertainty. We found that trying to avoid managed retreat is likely to be more costly in the long run than accepting managed retreat as a possibility and planning ahead.

We demonstrated how the seven methods provide quality decision-support and let society avoid the worst impacts of climate change and coastal hazards. The seven methods can allow decision makers to stress-test potential adaptation actions, understand the lifetime and effectiveness of proposed actions, and to understand which combinations or sequence of actions is most robust.

Our approach can help infrastructure providers understand the effectiveness of adaptation actions, how long they will work for, which adaptation actions are likely to fail and which actions are most likely to work. The seven methods provide a solid platform for adaptation decision making over the long planning timeframes – at least 100 years – required in New Zealand. Our approach provides a useful set of planning methods that meets 2017 New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment Coastal Hazards and Climate Change Guidance.

The seven methods highlight the value of using flexible approaches to ensure that adaptation planning is genuinely adaptable, allow infrastructure providers to determine whether proposed adaptation actions are fit-for-purpose, and to minimise cost where possible.

Find their guidance document on adaptive decision making here.

A printable pdf version of this project summary can be downloaded below.

Adapting Aotearoa

Banner image showing the climate stripes and the title: Adapting Aotearoa - towards a climate resilient land and food system

Adapting Aotearoa: Towards a climate resilient land and food system

Brought to you by the Deep South Challenge in collaboration with Resilience to Nature’s Challenges and Our Land and Water, this unique event brings together researchers and stakeholders from the primary sector, academia and government to explore innovative solutions for building climate resilience and deeper understanding of the urgency for adaptation in our agricultural practices. 

Discover the latest research findings and practical approaches aimed at creating a sustainable and resilient primary sector and food system in the face of climate change challenges. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, and networking opportunities for enduring connection, collaboration and knowledge exchange. 

The role of the National Science Challenges has been to bridge the gap between research and practice, empowering our communities to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing climate. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable future for our land, food, and livelihoods.

Join us for an exciting and informative symposium on 20 November 2023, at the Christchurch Town Hall – Please note this event has reached it’s capacity. If you would like to register interest still, click through the registration link and share your details. Thank you.

Programme

Click the + to expand each section.

9.30 am | Welcome and opening address

Our event MC Andy Reisinger will welcome us to the day followed by an opening address by Anne Haira.

Andy Reisinger

Andy Reisinger

Andy is Commissioner with the Climate Change Commission. Andy was also Deputy Director (International) at the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, working in partnership with industry to develop and extend ways of reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Andy was until recently a member of the Bureau of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and served as coordinating lead author in two major IPCC climate change reports. His research focuses on the role of agriculture in domestic and international climate change policy, climate change impacts and adaptation, and on uncertainty and its implications for decision-making.

Anne Haira

Anne has had a rich and diverse career spanning the public and private sectors and has developed a strong track record of building strategic partnerships. She is part of the executive leadership team at MfE where she leads the Climate Policy division and Partnerships and Public Affairs division. A core focus of her role as leader of Partnerships and Public Affairs is to tangibly shift mindsets and change behaviours in New Zealand through effective partnering and engagement within the public and private sectors.

9.50 am | Key notes

Lauren Rickards will address the urgency and complexity in adaptation with insightful perspectives from Australia, followed by Rod Oram on global context and perspectives.

Lauren Rickards

Lauren Rickards is a human geographer and ecologist by training now working primarily on climate change futures and related questions about the urban-rural and human-nature relationship. With degrees from the Universities of Oxford and Melbourne, and experience in the private sector, Lauren conducts research on many of the social dimensions of climate change, particularly in the water and agri-food sectors and with collaborators in other disciplines and organisations. Lauren advises a wide range of groups in government, business and the NGO sector on climate change issues and is a Lead Author with the Intergovernmental Panel in Climate Change. She is currently the Director of the La Trobe University Climate Change Adaptation Lab.

Rod Oram

Rod Oram (1950-2024)

Rod Oram had more than 40 years’ experience as an international business journalist. He was a frequent public speaker on deep sustainability, business, economics, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, in both NZ and global contexts.

Rod was a founding trustee of Akina Foundation, which helps social enterprises develop their business models in areas of sustainability. Sadly, Rod passed away in March 2024, in the months following his talk at Adapting Aotearoa.

10:40 am | Morning tea

Enjoy a light kai and a chance to digest the mornings discussions.

11:00 am | Panel: Enabling transformational adaptation in the primary sector: Possible, Plausible, Preferable?

Are there limits to adaptation in Aotearoa? Is it plausible: and if so, what is stopping us? And just what IS the future we want? A series of experts will present short talks on hot topics before being joined by Lauren Rickards and Rod Oram for a robust panel discussion on the challenges of enabling effective adaptation.

Nick Cradock Henry headshot

Nicholas Cradock-Henry

Nicholas Cradock-Henry is the Principal Social Scientist with GNS Science and Co-leader, Resilience, Policy & Governance for Resilience to Nature’s Challenges. He received his PhD in Geography from the University of Canterbury (2011), and holds a Masters of Environmental Science and post-graduate diploma in Geographic Information Systems. His doctoral research investigated adaptation to climate change and other, non-climatic stressors in agricultural systems in eastern New Zealand.

John Reid 

John (Ngāti Pikiao; Tainui) leads research programmes attempting to solve complex socio-economic problems by utilising systems thinking and indigenous wisdom traditions. John’s programmes bring together science, industry, and indigenous communities to address sustainability challenges related to New Zealand’s oceans, freshwater, land and biodiversity.

Jenny Christie

Jenny is the Principal Scientist Climate Impacts at the Ministry for the Environment. She has an extensive background in climate adaptation at a central government level, having worked previously for the Department of Conservation and  was responsible for developing their adaptation and research plans.

12:15 pm | Lunch

Earth-friendly kai from some of our best local producers.

1:15 pm | Panel discussions: Adaptation in action – using research to adapt and transform?

Headshot of Jo Sheridan

Jo Sheridan

Jo Sheridan is the Demonstration Manager at Owl Farm and has over 20 years’ experience in the dairy industry – farming, consulting, and working in education and extension projects. Owl Farm is a 140ha dairy farm at St Peter’s School Cambridge on the banks of the Waikato river, with a strong focus on achieving environmental outcomes while maintaining a sustainable balanced business. Jo’s role is to collect and interpret the farm data and evolve the strategy along with industry partners to ensure business resilience. More at www.owlfarm.nz.

Kate Acland

Kate is the Director of Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Kate and husband David own and operate Mt Somers Station, a large and highly diversified farming operation running sheep, cattle, deer, dairy and a stand-alone honey operation in the Mid Canterbury foothills.

Tasman Gillies

Tasman (Ngāi Tahu – Ngāti Wheke, Ngāti Kahungunu) is a Programme Director at Toha, exploring data & collaboration tech strategies to surface climate change & biodiversity action.

Hilton Collier

Hilton Collier (Ngati Porou) is an experienced Farm Management Consultant whose professional career has supported landowners in Te Tairawhiti to develop and better manage their lands.

2:15 pm | Future directions

A brainstorming session to ensure we have captured questions that haven’t been answered, gaps in knowledge and research, contradictions and paradoxes, and to explore some practical options for change in your every day work. We come back together to close the day and set intentions for the future.

3:15 pm | Afternoon tea

Enjoy a pick-me-up before our final panel discussion.

3:30 pm | Panel discussions: Incentivising action

Jack Bisset

Jack is leading on the strategy aspects of the climate-related disclosure standards for the External Reporting Board (XRB). Jack has been working in climate policy for the last 5 years including work on macroeconomic modelling, emissions trading, sustainable finance and climate-related disclosures.

Karen Lavin potrait

Karen Lavin

Karen has more than 15 years’ experience working at the science-policy interface on a range of issues relating to climate change and the environment. She is currently the Adaptation Manager at He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission, and is focused on establishing the Commission’s independent adaptation and monitoring functions.

Head shot Tim Henshaw

Tim Henshaw

Tim has been the Head of Agribusiness at Westpac since 2020. In this role, he oversees all on farm lending to this key sector of the New Zealand economy.

Trecia Smith

Trecia is the Chief Policy Adviser to the Deputy Director-General, Policy and Trade at the Ministry for Primary Industries.

4.35-5:30pm | Refreshments

We invite you to enjoy refreshments and some more casual kōrero.

Setting the scene

Check out our Adapting Aotearoa info sheet for links and explainers about all the research relevant to our symposium, conveniently collected in one place! Also, you can find recordings of the two lead-in webinars at the Resilience to Nature’s Challenges YouTube page, here.

Growing Kai Under Increasing Dry

This report details how climate change and drought will increasingly impact primary production over the coming decades. While adaptation won’t be easy, the benefits are unquestionable and will ensure economic viability of primary production is protected, as well as farmers’ mental health, and the environment.

Climate, water and wine

Research into how primary industries must adapt to multiple interacting and compounding pressures. Apart from climate change, the industry presents management challenges, complicated decision making and, in some cases, accelerating system-wide transformation.

Whitiwhiti Ora data supermarket

The supermarket is free, and is stocked full of datasets that provide a broad understanding of the benefits and consequences of a wide range of land use opportunities. Each dataset includes information about its limitations and how the data was produced, and most include GIS layers. The information can be downloaded for use in third-party tools. Data is open-access and suitable for New Zealand use only.

Agri-Sector Climate Change Scenarios

Farmers, growers and producers are experiencing first hand the devastation of increasing extreme weather events. The development of these climate change scenarios by the Aotearoa Circle provides consistent data for the sector who are seeking to mitigate and adapt and will serve as the basis for the Agri-Adaptation Roadmap.

Primary sector preparedness for climate change

Research into the rapid and slow-onset climate changes to the primary sector: evaluating the role and cost of adaptation on resilience.

Symposium report

A report on the Adapting Aotearoa: Towards A Climate Resilient Land and Food System symposium brought to you by the Deep South National Science Challenge in collaboration with Resilience to Nature’s Challenges and Our Land and Water National Science Challenges.

This report is dedicated to the memory of climate advocate and journalist Rod Oram. Rod sadly passed away a few months after his challenging and through-provoking talk at Adapting Aotearoa. Rest in peace, Rod, and thank you for your relentless efforts to champion the facts about climate change.

Tiaki Mai, Tiaki Atu

Date: 11-12 April, 2024

Place: Takapūwāhia Marae, Porirua

Tiaki Mai, Tiaki Atu

As the Deep South Challenge comes to an end, its important to create space for us to reflect on the past, discuss the present and move forward into the future. We will be graciously hosted by Ngati Toa (Te Ara o Raukawa Moana), at Takapūwāhia marae, with ample space to explore our kaupapa and rest our heads.

Programme

This gathering brings together those involved in our community based research into adaptation. The two days involve an inspiring line up of activities designed to share learnings, build connections, and spark discussions. Day One includes a tour of sites of significance for our hosts Ngati Toa, including discussion of their research as part of Te Ara o Raukawa Moana, and a showcase of the mahi done as part of Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira. Day Two includes a morning of creative workshopping, followed by an afternoon visit to the Living Pā and the work done as part of He Pā Mataora.

While we are still finalising the programme, please explore the programme below for an outline of the day. More details will be added as we get closer to the gathering.

Day One

9.00 am | Arrival and powhiri

We will meet at the entrance to Takapūwāhia Marae to be welcomed on at 9:30 am.

10:30 am | Morning tea and Deep South Challenge welcome

A cup of tea to settle us into the space.

11:00 am | Ngati Toa bus tour 🚍

Exploring the local surrounds with mana whenua, as we learn about places of significance, adaptation and change . We will enjoy a packed lunch out and about.

12:30 pm | Lunch

Yummy

2:30 pm | Return to marae and afternoon tea

A cup of tea and some time to reflect.

3:00 pm | Sharing of research

Research teams will share insights from their work in a combination of presentations, videos and discussion. This will include a presentations from Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira. The rangatahi will share insights from their five month involvement in the programme and inspiration for continuing the climate adaptation mahi.

5:00 pm | Guest speaker – Qiane Matata-Sipu

Our special guest Qiane Matata-Sipu shares some insights into her practise, and the importance of our stories, and how they help change the narrative for our future generations.

6:30 pm | Dinner

A delicious feast to fill our bellies and our hearts with thanks to our hosting ringawera, catchers and gatherers.

8:00 pm | Kōrero and closing

Words from the haukainga, karakia to close off our first day together.

Day Two

7:00 am | Breakfast

Morning kai & coffee to set ourselves up for the day. Pack and tidy the whare!

8:30 am | Creative workshops 🎨

An exciting morning of creative workshops to explore the challenges and potentials our researchers face in their practical and theoretical mahi. We will be joined by 5ever Press and their mobile Book Factory, artist and educator Nina Humphries from Tagata Moana, and taonga pūoro practioner Al Fraser, as well as Deep Souths own in-house creatives.

12:00 pm | Lunch

Nothing helps build connections like sharing kai. We will enjoy a scrumptious lunch while sharing our new found creative artistry.

1:00 pm | Depart to Te Herenga Waka

Time for us all to jump on a bus and head to our afternoon activities.

1:30 pm | Living Pā viewing and korero

The team from He Pā Mataora team will host us at Te Herenga Waka and share their experiences of the mahi involved in building the Living Pā.

2:30 pm | Panel discussion

Our final session is a panel discussion bringing together perspectives from several of our research projects. From the aspirations of the Living Pā to the challenges faced by marae and communities around the motu, we bring together three projects exploring resilience for people and place:

He pā mataora explores the needs and challenges of moving an entire marae community into more climate-adaptive and resilient practices.

Ki te whare tu tonu ki te whare manawaroa asks how their meeting house Tama-ki-Hikurangi can be future-proofed against climate impacts so the people of Waiōhau marae can retain their ancestral meeting house.

The research into risk-based flood insurance pricing approaches the same challenge, looking specifically at how to support whanau and marae communities in understanding, entering, and navigating the insurance market.

4:00 pm | Afternoon tea and closing ☕

Join us at the Hunter Lounge for food, refreshments and of course more conversations before we say our final goodbyes.

With thanks to…

We couldn’t have pulled together this event without the support of our hosts and collaborators:

Whakataukī

The name Tiaki mai, Tiaki atu comes from a whakataukī gifted by Ruia Aperahama, our Pou Tikanga, to guide our storytelling. You can learn more about the background and the guiding themes here.

Funding document

We have made an effort to pull together what information we can about funding avenues from a variety of different sources but know we definitely will not have captured everything! We know there is more out there, and that you will know about things we don’t. Please share any opportunities you know of, and we can add to this document after Tiaki Mai Tiaki Atu. Funding rounds currently open for applications are highlighted green.

Ngā Kaitakawaenga: Nadine Hura and Naomi Simmonds

In a series of short profiles we are spotlighting the work of our engagement team with a focus on how they are available to support our researchers.

Nadine Hura and Naomi Simmonds are our two Kaitakawaenga. Their mahi is centred on supporting the Vision Mātauranga research teams.  

Nadine Hura

Ko wai koe?

Kia ora koutou, ki te taha o tōku Pāpā ko Ngāti Hine te iwi, nō Waiōmio. Ki te taha o tōku Māmā, no te awa Mersey, ki Ingarani.  E noho mātou ko aku tamariki tokotoru ki raro i te maru o Whitireia. I grew up in South Auckland but am lucky to live now in Titahi Bay, together with my three almost-grown up kids.

When did you join the DSC and how do you describe what you do in one sentence?

I’ve been with the Deep South Challenge for nearly two years, in a role I am very lucky to share with Naomi Simmonds. We work closely with Vision Mātauranga research teams, supporting their kaupapa and the aspirations of Māori communities taking action to restore and protect whenua and people, while the pressures and strains of “climate change” intensify. 

Why might a researcher want to get in touch with you?

Our role is primarily one of connecting. Within the Deep South Challenge, we are resourced to actively support teams to develop their own relationships and connections. We know that the benefits of these hononga cannot always be measured in outputs, sometimes the benefits are revealed in unexpected, even exponential, ways. Specifically, I can help facilitate connections between communities and central government agencies and sector stakeholders, within and between Vision Mātauranga teams, and also much more broadly across the arts, literature and journalism. We’re also keen to support international indigenous connections.

Alongside my role at the DSC, I’m a columnist for the Spinoff, mainly covering climate issues, so my skills and experience sit at the intersection between policy, evaluation, advocacy and the arts. I love supporting people to represent their own stories in their own words, bringing a much deeper and nuanced picture of the causes of, and responses to, climate change. Teams are welcome to contact me for any kind of support around media and or creative writing/storytelling.

Naomi Simmonds

Naomi on her hīkoi in the footsteps of Māhinaarangi.

Ko wai koe?

Taku ara rā ko Tūrongo rāua ko Māhinaarangi, he ara tau tika ki ahau. Nō Raukawa ki te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere ahau. Ko Ngāti Huri, Ngāti Wehiwehi ngā hapū. Ko Pikitū rāua ko Pikitū ngā marae. Ko Naomi Simmonds ahau.

I am a mother and a researcher and am passionately involved with my hapū protecting and restoring our whenua and wāhi tūpuna. I currently live in Tūranganui-a-kiwa with my partner and children.

When did you join the DSC and how do you describe what you do in one sentence?

I moved into a Kaitakawaenga role from the DSC Kāhui in 2021. My role is to support Māori researchers in their kaupapa rangahau and in finding ways to share the amazing mahi they are doing in ways and in places that will create impact for them.

Why might a researcher want to get in touch with you?

Researchers might contact me to talk through their rangahau, any support they need, challenges they are facing or just to wānanga ideas. These are the kinds of conversations that I love and prioritise. They might also be looking for connections to other research, to literature and publications or other information that might support their work.

I will also be specifically providing support for developing journal articles or other publications with teams and where we can bring teams together to collaborate.

There may be other things that you want to discuss and so feel free to reach out and if we can’t help, we will find someone who can.

When you’re not working at DSC, where are you most likely to be?

My life is full outside of DSC trying my hand at gardening, travelling back to my marae in the Waikato, reading, walking and spending time with my whānau.

How can people find you, and what’s your availability like?

I am available most days of the week and I will put my out of office on if I am away from my computer for any length of time. I work flexibly but generally around the schedules of my tamariki and so may not respond as quickly to evening or weekend queries.

Email is the best way to contact me, [email protected]

Find out more about Vision Mātauranga here.

Webinar: The River Runs Through

The impact of changing snowfall on water flow, irrigation, energy supply and our very relationship with our rivers

Here in Aotearoa, we’ve tended to treat water as a resource that will never run dry.

We’ve built an energy network dependent on consistent lake levels and we’ve turned drylands into arable landscapes using irrigation. Snow fall in our mountain regions feeds our largest hydro-electric power schemes, and provides critical water – especially during drought. We’ve followed the principal that almost all water is available to use, and haven’t thought enough about how much water the river itself requires, or the lifeforms it sustains. Water has looked after us, but have we looked after it? Do we know enough about where this water comes from and how its changing with our climate?

With climate change seriously impacting how much it snows and rains, and how long snow remains in the mountains, we need to think more carefully about the way we relate to our rivers – from their source in the mountains all the way to the coast, and beyond.

There is much to learn from mātauranga Māori, and in this webinar, Riki Ellison (Ngāi Tahu), will speak to the work he has done over years towards establishing Te Mana o Te Wai, a concept highlighting how by protecting freshwater, we protect our future. Riki will be joined by Todd Redpath and Jen Purdie, two Deep South Challenge researchers, to discuss how we relate to water now and in years to come.

We’ll also hear directly from Jen and Todd. Todd Redpath’s research examines an often overlooked component of the water cycle: the large amount of water that is actually stored as snow or ice in our mountains. Snow makes a crucial contribution to many of our largest catchments, but until recently it has been poorly understood and poorly modelled, making the management of precious water a difficult task.

Looking towards the future, Jen Purdie’s research looks at how climate change, including water and snow melt as well as irrigation pumping load under drought, may impact electricity demand and supply. This is particularly relevant to the proposed pumped hydro scheme at Lake Onslow.

Our ability to both reduce our carbon emissions and adapt to the climate change already locked in depends in large part on the health and future of our rivers. We invite you to join us in this important conversation that truly flows from the source to the tap.

New infosheet launched: Ocean data to support adaptation

We’re pleased to share our newest infosheet, Ocean data to support adaptation. Designed for use by anyone interested in biophysical climate projections of the future ocean around Aotearoa. If, for example, you are interested or involved in marine spatial planning, marine primary industries, or research into the impacts of climate change on the takutai moana, marine species and distributions, this infosheet will help you navigate data produced by the Deep South Challenge.

These data could be used:

  • to assess the impact of climate change on the viability of potential aquaculture sites, and marine spatial planning
  • to compare relative stressors on particular marine species
  • to analyse climate-related risks to fisheries and aquaculture businesses
  • for research purposes: e.g. Predicting the effects of climate change on deep-water coral distribution around New Zealand.

We’ve found these data useful for predicting the water temperature at our existing aquaculture sites and for providing guidance into siting new farms… Being able to predict water temperatures over the lifetime of a resource consent ensures that the site will not become too warm to farm as the climate changes.

Aquaculture planner

We are all works in progress

In August 2022, Ruia Aperahama took on the role of Pou Tikanga for Te Kōmata o Te Tonga, the Deep South Challenge. Here he tells us a story, weaving together his background with the work he is supporting the Challenge to do.

Let me share a story with you…

It was a scorching 80’s summer day when our newlywed, fire-red-headed, pākeha sister-in-law took our baby nephew’s soiled disposable nappies out to the back of our house to a makeshift incinerator. She put them to flame. Our usually gentle father saw this and furiously charged out, growling sharply at her in Māori, frantically dowsing the fire with great irritation, then directed his frustration at our newlywed brother.  With inconsolable tears she broke down not knowing what ‘crime’ or ‘offense’ she had just ignorantly committed.

At a family gathering many years later while reminiscing about those early years, I asked her  while we enjoyed a steaming-hot, freshly earth cooked hāngī, if she remembered that harrowing nerve-wrecking moment and, more importantly, did our brother prudently explain to her why our father was so greatly upset. Our brother had failed to do so; conveniently dropping his fork with annoying haste he replied, “That’s the old ways! Dad was living in the past with his old superstitions and outdated ways! It’s a new world now. Progress.”

This is what our father shouted with enmity.

“Auē! Kei kino i a koe a Ranginui! Tō te whenua ki te whenua! Kei pau i te kāpura, me tanu kē! Auē taukiri e”!

“Oh no! Don’t harm sky father! What’s of the land must go back to the land! Don’t burn it, bury it! Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!

Dad was raised in an isolated, far north, sole Māori speaking, close-knit fishing village, where every ecological sign, relationship and connection was observed, revered and utilized. Reciprocity. They always asked before they took from life, and returned something of equal value or more in return as the first offering.  They were organically living off the grid way before it became fashionable. They could smell the subtle changes of temperature and tell how many days or hours it would be before it rained by the behavior of insects, birds, fish and animals. Many of them were illiterate by western standards yet were well versed in the ‘alphabet’ of seasonal life around them. Every evening our elders always sat in a huge circle like vigilant sentinels hugging the walls of our communal house, while the whole community, like a blazing fire in the centre, sat in the middle. They spoke about life through songs, symbols and metaphors with adoration, honour, celebration and respect, retelling of past generations activities and of ancient tribal histories. This way of living and more importantly their reverence for life and death has diminished over time, and in some instances has disappeared altogether.

They were organically living off the grid way before it became fashionable. They could smell the subtle changes of temperature and tell how many days or hours it would be before it rained by the behaviour of insects, birds, fish and animals.

I also grew up in Rātana Pā, a Māori pan tribal community founded on an indigenous religious and political movement inspired by 1920’s Māori prophet and healer, TW Rātana. He unassumingly but powerfully revolutionised Māori spiritual and political participation and engagement that revived Te Tiriti o Waitangi from out of NZ’s amnesia. My background also comes from 34 years of Education from new entrants to adult education, in mainstream and Māori medium pathways. I’m a devoted musician and visual artist, which are my real passions. I also value the ripple effect of influence.

When Covid-19 began permeating our global fabric of ‘normality’, impacting communication commerce and travel, I was invited to join Professor Sandy Morrison, Dr Darren King, Dr Shaun Awatere, Dr Naomi Simmonds on the Kāhui Māori Te Kōmata o Te Tonga – the Māori advisory team to the Deep South Challenge governance board. Then in July this year I was appointed as Pou Tikanga – providing cultural support to our amazing Te Taura and Te Aho teams alongside two super-mums; wordsmith artist and communicator Nadine Hura and Mana Wāhine grassroots mover and shaker Naomi Simmonds. As kakitakawaenga they are intra-relationship weavers among whānau hapū and iwi researchers and scientists. I really love working with Nadine and Naomi because they genuinely understand the value of clear modest support and careful gentle navigating of communications and relationships with quality cultural and spiritual experience and advice. Herein is my primary focus, commitment and responsibility.

Furthermore, I love working with the broader engagement and leadership team; Angela Halliday, Zoe Heine, Alexandra Keeble, Kate Turner, Carolyn O’Brien, Mark Webley, Maximillian Scott-Murray and Phil Wiles. At Pātaka Museum we workshopped from despair to hope using Edward De Bono’s six hats, landing on Kingi Tāwhiao’s (Second Māori King) symbolic hat of response to colonization through spiritual potential, hope, optimism and emotional resilience. At Māranui Surf Club in Wellington’s Lyall Bay, we explored appreciation through art, music, meditation and creativity to connect, empathise, relate and resonate with one another while subconsciously learning three karakia and a pao, or waiata, I had composed during my flight to Wellington that morning. While enjoying, contemplating, meditating and reflecting on the natural beach, sea and air, I also wanted to provide pragmatic activities to my ongoing support.

I feel privileged to share these cultural values with our engagement teams over the next two years. ‘Climate change’ is an intergenerational problem, and it requires intergenerational solutions. While seemingly steeped in fear, scarcity, hopelessness and despair, it can also be an opportunity to reawaken desire, hope, innovation, inspiration and creativity through communications, messaging and relationships with all of our research communities.

‘Climate change’ is an intergenerational problem, and it requires intergenerational solutions.

Finally, As sons and daughters of our not so perfect but progressive country we call ‘home’, there is much to improve on in so many spaces, yet much to be extremely grateful for. I am amazed at the collective heart, caliber, skills and experience of the Deep South Challenge Engagement Teams. I have great hope because of this.

So then…was my father superstitious and outdated in his old ways? I’ll leave that for you to decide. As for my brother and sister in law, they too have grown and changed their views over time. It seems we are all work in progress.

Engagement Team Co-Lead: Alexandra Keeble

In a series of short profiles we are spotlighting the work of our engagement team with a focus on how they are available to support our researchers.

Alexandra Keeble is our Engagement Team Co-Lead. She supports the whole engagement team to be equitable, efficient and effective in our work. She has a wealth of knowledge she is always happy to share on communications and storytelling.

Alexandra Keeble

Nō hea koe?

Nō Ateria, Tiamana, Kōtimana me Aerani ōku tūpuna. Nō Īnia tōku matakēkē me ētahi o ōku tuākana. I tipu ake au i runga i te whenua tapu o te iwi Wirudjeri, arā kō Naarm (Poi Piripi), i te whenua moemoeā. With my European ancestors, I grew up in Naarm (Melbourne), in and on the Birrarung River, and in and around the Bunurong Coast (South Gippsland).

I came to Aotearoa in 2008, after working and living in Cuba, the United States and on Larrakia Country (Darwin). I’ve worked as just about everything, from a mud crab farmer to a community organiser, from a film producer to a publisher. I’ve never been paid a wage to work as a poet or fiction writer, but imagine that!

I’m lucky enough to live in Pari-ā-rua, on unceded Ngāti Toa whenua, with my partner, our three kids, dog and countless tiu, tūī, rūrū, kāwau, kōtare, blackbirds, starlings, tauhou and gulls, some of whom turn up at our window every day for a feed.

When did you join the DSC and how do you describe what you do in one sentence?

I started in the Challenge in 2017, when the Engagement Team was much smaller. These days I work in the background, looking for ways to use our time and resources in ways that are equitable, effective, collaborative and efficient.

Why might a researcher want to get in touch with you?

I’m both a big picture person, and someone who likes getting my hands dirty. If you want to think about strategy (for anything, from funding to adaptation to communications and engagement), I might be useful to speak to. I have lots of media contacts, and lots of experience with different forms and formats for storytelling. Depending on what else is going on, I also love supporting you to tell your stories in your own ways (this could be through workshopping ideas, or organising relevant support, or ghost writing or editing/proofing, for example).

When you’re not working at DSC, where are you most likely to be?

Collecting kaimoana with the kids, up the bush pulling out asparagus weed, gasbagging with family, on writing retreats with mates, watching my partner dig the garden (it’s hard work but someone’s gotta do it), or somewhere with my head in a book.

How can people find you, and what’s your availability like

I work part time and in hours that suit my family (during school hours, and late at night…), so email is the best bet for first contact. That said, I love to talk, so give me a call.

Contact me on: [email protected]

Communications Advisor: Zoe Heine

In a series of short profiles we are spotlighting the work of our engagement team with a focus on how they are available to support our researchers.

Zoe Heine is our Communications Advisor. She works on our communications great and small, including helping researchers share their stories.

Ko wai koe?

He uri tēnei o ngā tangata tiriti. Nō Tiamana, nō Sheltland Islands, nō Yorkshire ōku tupuna. I whanau mai au i Otautahi. I tipe ake au i Whakatū. I was born in Christchurch and grew up in Nelson not far from the banks of the Maitai River. I have lived in Te-Whanganui-a Tara for the past decade and currently live in a lovely sunny spot on the side of Matairangi with my partner and a very opinionated cat.

When did you join the DSC and how do you describe what you do in one sentence?

I joined in March of this year. I work closely with the rest of the engagement team on our communication products, for example, our public webinars and info sheets.

Why might a researcher want to get in touch with you?

If you’re interested in sharing an aspect of your research we can talk about the best way to communicate it and how the Deep South Challenge might be involved. If you’ve got any upcoming media coverage it is great to hear about it outside of the quarterly reporting so I can share it speedily.

I send out our monthly updates to DSC researchers so let me know if you have something interesting you think we should be sharing with this network. I also keep our website tidy so send any requests for updates my way.

Like Nadine and Alex, I am always interested in chatting about climate change and storytelling.

When you’re not working at DSC, where are you most likely to be?

Working on my PhD on storytelling and sea-level rise in Aotearoa through the Centre for Science in Society at Te Herenga Waka. Otherwise I like to spend my time gardening, swimming in the ocean and drinking tea. But not all three at once!

How can people find you, and what’s your availability like?

I work part time from Tuesday to Friday each week. Email is the best first port of call, [email protected]

EOIs sought for Processes and Observations Programme Leader

Expressions of interest are being sought for the Challenge Leadership Team (CLT) role of Processes and Observations Programme Leader in the Deep South National Science Challenge. The Processes and Observations Programme Leader will lead our Observations for Model Development programme. Projects have been contracted which contribute to the Challenge’s mission through research that spans clouds & aerosols, sea-ice, storm mixing of oceans, and snow & ice catchment processes.

Up to 0.2 FTE is available for this position through to the end of the National Science Challenges in June 2024.

Further information

For more information regarding this position, contact the Challenge Director, Dr Phil Wiles
([email protected], 027-298-9446).

To apply

Please submit your CV together with a covering letter outlining your experience and interest in the role to the Challenge Manager, Mark Webley, [email protected], by no later than 5 pm Friday 4 November 2022.