Category: Uncategorised

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.

Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira: Rangatahi Climate Leadership Programme

“Ruia Taitea, Ruia Taitea, Kia tū ko taikaha anake”

Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira is a 5-month climate adaptation leadership programme for rangatahi Māori working with, or connected to, currently-funded Deep South Research projects. Focused on growing intergenerational capacity, supporting potential, and activating the succession planning of Rangatahi Māori, this program seeks to provide a range of opportunities. It also builds on the obligation to uplift rangatahi to be intergenerational change-makers that ensure ngā mana atua, ngā mana taiao, and ngā mana tāngata are sustained for future generations.

Toi Rito, Toi Rangatahi will support rangatahi Māori who are deeply committed to working with and for hapū climate adapatation research and action. We are inviting our 14 DSC research teams to nominate rangatahi from within their networks who would benefit from contributing to and learning from this programme. 

Climate change is an intergenerational challenge, therefore it requires an intergenerational solution

The programme is co-led by our Pou Tikanga Ruia Aperahama and Rangatahi Programme Coordinator, Tyra Begbie. The Kaitakawaenga, DSC and Kāhui Māori will provide wrap-around guidance and implementation support. Research teams are asked to provide pastoral support to rangatahi as required and keep in contact with the programme leads should any concerns arise at any point.

What can Rangatahi expect from Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira?

Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira aims to manaaki rangatahi to:

  • Stand staunchly in their hapūtanga/iwitanga and support them to advocate for hapū, developing their own unique identity and skills.
  • Be immersed in an inspiring environment to learn amongst like-minded people, change-makers, rangatahi Māori, artists, and activists.
  • Access opportunities to connect meaningfully and personally with other rangatahi and key leaders within the climate change movement across Aotearoa and internationally. 
  • Be supported to pursue kaitiakitanga pathways through whare wānanga, higher education, iwi/hapū programmes, scholarships etc. 
  • Activate indigenous methodologies through creative, curious, innovative, mahi toi explorations (art, writing, poetry, waiata, podcast etc).
  • Learn how to navigate confidently and strategically in the climate change sector, leveraging contacts within government, academic, creative and activist/artivist spaces. Demystifying machinery of government and identifying strategic ways to have influence, including access to funding and resources.
  • Identify opportunities for higher learning within themselves and being supported to achieve these goals.
  • Take personal responsibility and self-care to protect our connections and relationships that have a ripple effect in action.

Programme Overview

There are three core components of Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira:

1) Participation in a monthly online wānanga/workshop

2) A contribution to a collective output to coincide with the conclusion of the programme (such as a magazine, podcast, or other artistic offering). We may share other networking hui or opportunities as they arise, which rangatahi can participate in if desired. The webinar topics and outputs will be designed and developed collectively.

3) Two a-tinana wāngana for the Ruia Taikaha cohort only

Who is Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira for?

There are two cohorts for participation in Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira:

  • Ruia Taikaha: For rangatahi committed to the ā-tinana gatherings as well as the online wānanga components. Available places: 14 (one per research team). Rangatahi should have or be willing to establish and maintain a connection to the nominating research team. Commitment: We are asking rangatahi in the Ruia Taikaha cohort to commit to around 6-8 hours per month from December to April, plus two ā-tinana events where full attendance would be expected.
  • Ruia Taitea: For rangatahi who are keen to follow the programme remotely through the online wānanga components. Available places: No limit, but rangatahi need to have (or be willing to establish) a connection to the nominating research team. Commitment: No formal commitment required, but we hope that if nominated, rangatahi will actively participate in the online components of Toi Rito. This may suit rangatahi who have limited availability but a desire to take advantage of the networks and opportunities that will be shared.

Is this a paid programme, and what is the time commitment?

  • Ruia Taikaha: Yes, the programme includes a $3,000 stipend and travel costs are also covered. The time commitment is between 6-8 hours per month, which will consist of one monthly online wānanga and a range of optional networking opportunities. There are two in-person events that participants are expected to attend: 1) Programme launch at Ihumatao, Tāmaki Makarau (Tuesday 27th November). 2) Programme conclusion noho wānanga in Te Whanganui a Tara (Ngāti Toa and Te Herenga Waka) (Monday 8th April – Friday 12th April). This includes the DSC community event Tiaki Mai, Tiaki Atu, where rangatahi will be invited to present their learnings and reflections.
  • Ruia Taitea: For the rangatahi that will be participating as ‘Ruia Taitea’ there is no stipend, however, we hope the programme is an opportunity for rangatahi to be exposed to opportunities, mātauranga, and connections. Some additional funding may become available through sponsorship with other organisations within our collective networks, but at this stage this cannot be guaranteed.

Pōupōu that will guide the programme

  • Pōu 1: Tūhononga (Early connection)
  • Pōu 2: Te Whakaohooho (Reawaken/Investment)
  • Pōu 3: Nakunaku (Reduce to fragment | Digest)
  • Pōu 4: Akoako (Initiate collaboration)
  • Pōu 5: Tuia (Weave together)

Important Dates

The programme is approximately 5 months from November 2023 – April 2024. Before nomination, we ask research teams to confirm participants availability:

  • Online launch will be Monday 13th of November
  • Monthly workshops/wānanga (online) dates to be confirmed
  • In-person launch (Ruia Taikaha only) Tuesday 27th November at Ihumātao
  • Final noho wānanga (Ruia Taikaha only) Te Whanganui a Tara from Monday 8th April to Friday 12th April

What is the criteria for selection?

The programme has been designed for rangatahi Māori who are committed to working with and for hapū climate adapatation research and action. With this in mind, we are inviting Deep South Vision Mātauranga teams to consider who would be best aligned to benefit from this programme, with “rangatahi” determined by research teams relative to their own needs/interpretation. We expect a diverse range of participants and there will be a strong mentoring (tuakana/teina) thread woven throughout.

Nominations Process

Nominating research teams are asked to complete this form when they have selected their rangatahi. Rangatahi interested in Toi Rito, Toi Rangatira who don’t already have a relationship with one of the 14 DSC funded research teams (you can check here) Please contact [email protected] for any further pātai.

What if we have more than one Rangatahi to nominate?

Our process for filling the places in Ruia Taikaha will be one per team in the first instance, then, after nominations close, we will look to distribute any unfulfilled places equally amongst teams. If there is still a shortfall of places for Ruia Taikaha, we will review our budget and capacity to see if an increase in overall numbers can be made. It will be dependent on a range of factors including our own internal capacity. We are mindful that the selection process should not undermine or whakaiti the supportive environment teams have already established with their rangatahi, so please provide any contextual information that may be relevant to our considerations. We will be in touch with team leads after nominations close in order to work collaboratively to determine the final selection in the event an increase to final numbers is viable.

When do nominations close and when will people be notified?

  • Nominations close: Friday November 3rd at midnight! Karawhiua!
  • Nominations confirmed and announced: Friday 10th November (or earlier!)

A Decade of Dynamic Adaptive Decision-making tools in New Zealand

A mini symposium was held in Wellington 9 March 2023 to mark 10 years since New Zealand introduced dynamic adaptive pathways planning (DAPP) approaches for addressing the new climate reality and to share research and practice experience and to discuss where to next. This builds on a 10-year collaboration between Deltares, The Netherlands and the Climate Change Research Institute at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of New Zealand, with support from the Deep South Science Challenge, the Resilience to Nature’s Challenges Science Challenge and Ministry for the Environment.

The mini-symposium was broken into four sessions—setting the context (why and how); sharing applications from New Zealand and elsewhere (what); discussing lessons learned (experience) ; advancing methods, assessment, engagement and implementation (where to).

The sixty-four participants (including fourteen online) were from research institutions and universities, local and regional government, consultant companies, crown and government agencies with experience in developing decision making under deep uncertainty (DMDU) methods, using the methods and implementing the outputs from using them. Four international researchers also attended including the developers of the DAPP and other DMDU methods from the Netherlands, a researcher and user from Boston USA applying DAPP in a cities context,  and a researcher from Denmark applying DAPP at different scales for infrastructure planning under a changing climate (the full attendee list attached).

Two presentations set the scene. One discussed the role that deep uncertainty tools can play for decision making in a changing climate reality and why we use them, and the other covered the New Zealand context and how the decision tools were socialised into New Zealand and what enabled this to happen. The report and a slide set from the mini-symposium is available here.

Ko Papa Ko Rangi: Welcome to the Day!

Kia ora! This page is full of useful bits to assist you throughout today. Here you will find:

Please click on one of the titles above, or keep scrolling to find what you need.

Koha information

In keeping with our theme of reciprocity, and because this event is free of charge, we invite you to contribute some koha directly to one of the below organisations. Any amount is good – nothing is too small.

Tangoio Marae

Tangoio Marae, just north of Ahuriri (Napier), was severely impacted during Cyclone Gabrielle. The Deep South Challenge has a special relationship with Tangoio, who participated in a research project about climate impacts and decision-making for their marae, back in our first phase: Exploring coastal adaptation pathways for Tangoio Marae: Serious games to help climate adaptation decisions. We feel heart-broken for the marae, but equally inspired by their tenacity in protecting each other and their taonga tuku iho.

Koha direct: 03-1517-0011436-003, Reference: koha

Trees That Count

We hope our conversations day bring oxygen to your work. We also acknowledge Tāne Mahuta me āna tamariki and invite you to support Trees That Count, in order to assist the work our native forests do for us. We have established a Tree Registry for Ko Papa Ko Rangi to make it easy to contribute. Take me to the Ko Papa Ko Rangi tree registry…

Te Papa Wi-Fi

To access the correct Wi-Fi

  • Connect to Tākina Events
  • Access code: events
  • Accept the T&Cs

Slido information

Feel free to pop any questions you might have for the panelists through, and we will try our best to get to them at the time. Otherwise, they will help inform any further work going forward.

Workshop: Table plan and questions

This map shoes you which themes are being explored at which tables:

Please spend some time to discuss and write down anything you can think of on your topic at your table. Once you have spent a bit of time on it, feel free to check out any other topics that interest you. Our kaimahi will be on hand to support.

Costing climate change:

  • From your perspective what do we still need to understand about how climate change will “cost” us? 
  • How can we quantify and incorporate the benefits of adaptation into our decision-making frameworks? Do you know examples of how others have done this well?
  • How can Matauranga Māori and non-Māori economic tools work together to understand the impacts of climate change, and the benefits of adaptation?
  • What is needed to develop an ideal framework for comparing costs of different adaptation actions (and inaction) over the next 100 years?

Encouraging and monitoring adaptation:

  • How will we know if we are adapting well as a country to the risks of climate change? What questions should we be asking?
  • If Te Tiriti was at the heart of our work, what would good adaptation look like? 
  • What tools could we be using to encourage successful adaptation? 
  • What tools could we be using to monitor successful adaptation? 

Funding and financing adaptation:

  • What funding exists for frontline adaptation now?
  • Do you know of any innovations that you would recommend to drive, fund or finance adaptation action?
  • How might indigenous-led solutions for climate and biodiversity be given more attention or resourcing? 
  • What do these innovations need to become viable and/or how can they be incorporated into business as usual? 

Reflecting on your organisation:

  • What are the main drivers of decision making or resource allocation in your organisation? What are the stated and unstated values behind these drivers? 
  • How does your work align with equitable, efficient, effective adaptation? Where can it be improved?
  • Considering both your practised values and your economic decision tools, where do you see your organisation or sector in 10/20 years’ time? 
  • Where are the break/change points for your organisation, and what is needed to achieve optimal and equitable action for climate adaptation?

Responding to disasters, whilst planning for climate change:

  • How do our responses to severe weather events align (or not) with our financial and social needs to plan long-term for climate change adaptation? 
  • What are the current barriers? What is needed for this to be able to be done well? 
  • How might indigenous-led solutions for climate and biodiversity be given more attention or resourcing? 
  • How can the private and public sectors be used to activate change in how we manage climate-related risks? What are some examples of this done well?

Programme

9-9.30am | Registrations, Tea & coffee, Koha, Find your seat

We look forward to seeing you at the registration desk!

9.30-9.45am | Welcome and whakatūwhera

With our host for the day, Māni Dunlop

9.45-10am | Keynote: How is our current economic pathway creating our climate future?

We’ve invited a very special and internationally renowned guest to speak to the challenges ahead of us, whether we change our change our thinking or not, but especially if we do not.

Koko Warner

Koko Warner is a climate change expert who specialises in human migration and displacement. She has worked in the United Nations for over 16 years, directing research on climate change and migration, and climate risk management, before joining the secretariat to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to supervise the climate impacts, vulnerabilities and risk policy workstreams in its adaptation division. Koko is currently leading UN work to implement the IOM Migration Data Strategy 2020–25 by bringing together IOM’s data expertise on data collection, analysis and sharing; migration data governance; and forecasting, among others. 

Koko has contributed to understanding, managing, and informing policy about adverse climate impacts, climate change and migration, and loss and damage. Koko holds a PhD in economics from the University of Vienna and in 2014, was named by the International Council for Science as one of the top 20 women making contributions to climate change debate.

10-11.10am | Panel: A wider lens: How do we conceptualise the costs of climate change?

We know that work is getting underway across Aotearoa to quantify the costs of climate change, including the costs of adaptation or of failure to adapt. But how do we understand “cost”? Does it encompass the fullness of our environmental, human, social, cultural (and financial) worlds that are central to our experiences of and response to this crisis. Can our current economic thinking really lead to effective climate adaptation? If we can’t or don’t consider some costs, how can we ensure these are factored in our adaptation decisions?

Kiri Dell (Ngāti Porou)

Dr Kiri Dell is a Senior Lecturer in the Business School at the University of Auckland. She is a Ngāti Porou woman living in her tribal territory of Ruatōria. Her main passion is working with whānau and activating their aspirations for whenua Māori. She holds various director, trustee and board roles across a number of organisations, and is a chair of the Indigenous Caucus of the Academy of Management. She has a lively and large whānau, which enables her to play the many roles of mum, aunty, daughter, sister, cousin and niece.

Ilan Noy

Ilan has been the Chair in the Economics of Disasters and Climate Change at Victoria University of Wellington since 2013. His focus is on the economic aspects of natural hazards, disasters, and climate change, and other related topics in environmental, development, and international economics. He is also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Economics of Disasters and Climate Change. He has consulted for the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, UNDRR, the IMF and ASEAN. 

Mark Baker-Jones (Ngāpuhi, Ngāruahine)

Mark is a world-leader in climate change regulatory and policy risk, and Kaitohutohu Panoni Āhuarangi (Climate Advisor) with Te Whakahaere. Mark was political advisor to the Climate Change Minister during the development of NZ’s climate change legislative regime. Mark has held senior legal roles in some of the world’s most prestigious law firms, and has published widely on climate legal risk. He has unique insights into climate change legal risk, policy and regulation, particularly for the financial sector.

11.10-11.30am | Morning tea

Enjoy a light kai and return to your tables for our workshop session.

11.30am-12.45pm | Workshop: The experts are as lost as the rest of us!

A workshop to support you to uncover the drivers for and barriers to climate adaptive approaches, and brainstorming creative solutions.

12.45-1pm | Transition risk!

Our host Māni Dunlop will help you transition from workshop to lunch, energised enough to return with focus for our afternoon session.

1-2pm | Lunch

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

2-3.10pm | Panel: Funding and financing the future

In the end, how can we overcome the current barriers to investment in and funding for climate adaptation? If we consider that the “costs” of climate change include environmental, human, social, cultural and financial costs, what innovative solutions are, or could be in play to respond equitably and effectively to this crisis? In this panel, we bring together possibilities and provocations that interrogate government policy levers, alternative business strategies, and private sector mobilisation.

Riria te Kanawa

Riria is a partner at KPMG, whose work focuses on simplifying the complex so clients are better placed to make clear, focused and guiding strategic choices, map the pathway to achievement, and most importantly, execute. In a world of constant change, Riria helps clients to challenge their own status-quo and bring a customer- rather than a process-centric lens to their work. Riria is passionate about working with Māori, considering how business approaches and measures of success can better reflect our Māori worldview as we pursue the perfect balance between people, planet and pūtea.

John Reid (Ngai Tahu)

John leads research programmes attempting to solve complex socioeconomic problems by utilising systems thinking and indigenous wisdom traditions. He has a particular interest in relationships between human and non-human beings and the role of appropriate technologies and insight in generating symbiosis between them. Currently, John leads national research programmes that bring together science, industry, and indigenous communities to address sustainability challenges related to New Zealand’s oceans, freshwater, land and biodiversity.

Jo Kelly

Jo is Chief Executive of Toitū Tahua, the Centre for Sustainable Finance. Jo has delivered cross-continent sustainability initiatives between some of the world’s best known business leaders. Jo is also on the B Lab Australia New Zealand Board and the National Advisory Board for Impact Investing. In 2011 Jo managed establishment of The B Team, which led the first calls from business for Net Zero by 2050 and an ambitious Paris Agreement. On returning home to Aotearoa NZ Jo spent four years with Deloitte New Zealand. Jo is of Ngati Tuwharetoa, Scottish and Finnish descent.

David Hall

Dr David Hall is Climate Policy Director at Toha with expertise in climate action, land use change, sustainable finance and just transitions. He has a DPhil in Politics from the University of Oxford and has additional roles as Adjunct Lecturer at AUT University’s School of Social Sciences & Public Policy, member of the Forestry Ministerial Advisory Group, Contributing Author to IPCC AR6 WG2, and Principal Investigator for AUT’s Living Laboratories Programme of nature-based solutions. Previously he has worked with a diverse range of public and private sector stakeholders on climate innovation and publishes widely in a range of academic and public-facing media, which includes the 2022 report, Adaptation Finance: Risks and Opportunities for Aotearoa New Zealand.

3.10-3.40pm | Afternoon tea

Enjoy a pick-me-up before our final keynote and brainstorming sesion.

3.40-4pm | Keynote: Sounds great, but can any of these ideas really work?

Firebrand finance journalist Shamubeel Eaqub will speak off the cuff, attempting to draw in the threads, expose them to the sun and the wind, and provide his perspective on the arguments and ideas of the day.

Shamubeel Eaqub

Shamubeel is an experienced economist who makes economics easy. He is a thought leader unafraid to take a contrarian view. An engaging and knowledgeable speaker, Shamubeel is a regular and respected contributor to media, government and business sector discussions on economic and strategic matters. He holds a BCOM with honours in Economics from Lincoln University and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Shamubeel has authored Growing Apart: Regional Prosperity in New Zealand, and co-authored Generation Rent and The New Zealand Economy: An Introduction.

4-4.45pm | Reflections

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.

4.45-5pm | Closing

We come back together to close the day and set intentions for the future.

5pm onwards | Refreshments at Te Papa

We invite you to enjoy refreshments and some more casual kōrero, to wind down for the weekend after an epic and hopefully inspiring day.

Final session: reflections, and post-symposium survey

Questions for discussion:

What is one thing or conversation that has really resonated with you?
What is one thing that you might take away and use in your day to day?

Reflection and feedback form

He mihi

While it’s not possible to thank everyone involved in bringing this event together, we do want to make some special mentions. Thank you to:

  • Each and everyone of you, our manuhiri, for attending with open minds and in the spirit of reciprocity
  • Our guest speakers, those who appeared on our podcasts, and those who presented today
  • Woody Tree, for bringing some quirky Wellington magic to our event
  • PopSock Media, Kirsten Johnstone and all the tech support at RNZ
  • The ringawera and staff at Te Papa
  • Mana whenua of Te Whanganui-a-Tara, arā ko Taranaki Whānui me Ngāti Toa Rangatira
  • Ko Papa rāua ko Rangi, me ā kōrua tamariki

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]