Te Tai Uka a Pia: StoryMap

Findings from the research project, Te Tai Uka a Pia

The research finds kōrero tuku iho, cleansing rituals, karakia, mahinga kai and wānanga at-place are all Māori-specific ways of understanding how the climate crisis is impacting on different iwi in Te Waipounamu.

This same methodology is what guides climate adapation strategies of Ngāti Rārua, Te Ātiawa and Ngāi Tahu. The protection of wāhi tapu such as coastal urupā in Te Tauihu o te Waka a Māui and traditional tītī harvests that go back generations in Motupōhue (Bluff) are at the forefront of climate adaptation strategies for these whānau.

Wānanga were held with whānau to discuss climate change through navigational stories (kōrero tuku iho), haka and waiata to not only increase awareness of the inevitable impact of climate change on respective iwi and hapū rohe but to generate strategies on how to address it.

StoryMap was chosen as the medium to present this research for its visual capabilities, which have brought the videos of kapa haka groups, haka, and interviews with iwi knowledge holders, together with images of the landscapes and landposts and maps marking them out on the region to paint a visually compelling picture to better engage iwi and hapū in climate research by ensuring they can see themselves in it.