Human Rights Commission

Landcare Research – Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research) is a Crown Research Institute specialising in understanding the natural environment and how its needs can be balanced with those of society and the economy. There are three key outcomes from our work: protection and restoration of biodiversity; healthy land environments; and sustainable business and urban development. To deliver these outcomes, the organisation also has cross cutting themes in: understanding, mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change; reducing the impacts of pests, weeds and diseases; and working with Māori to help build research capabilities, undertake research responsive to Māori, and help Māori achieve aspirations and desired outcomes, such as in the area of Māori sustainable land management.

Under Landcare Research’s guiding philosophy is the statement “We will honour the Treaty of Waitangi. We believe that the spirit and principles of the Treaty provide a model for our dealings with people from all cultures and societies.”

Key principles include: Honour the Treaty of Waitangi, encourage Māori participation through active engagement with Māori and to include Māori perspectives in all areas of research.

“Contemporary scientific process has largely ignored Māori cultural values and the rationale from which these developed. We have a responsibility to set this right and accept the validity of traditional perspectives and approaches. Among Māori, there is a desire for increased involvement in science and resource management. The Treaty claims process also makes collaboration a priority between Māori, local authorities, conservationists and researchers.”

“A key element of our science is the participation of iwi and hapū in our work. This recognises their role as Treaty partners, tangata whenua and as key stakeholders in the science outcomes.”

Much of the research undertaken by Landcare Research is relevant to Māori, both on the land and in urban settings. Involvement of iwi and hapū in those aspects of many research programmes is sought and nurtured and in 2005 Landcare Research released a set of good practice guidelines on working with tangata whenua and Māori organisations.

Manaaki Whenua carries out research in several areas of specific interest to Māori. A team of Māori researchers has been assembled to lead and contribute both scientifically and culturally to these programmes. The team includes biophysical, social and economic researchers working in a multidisciplinary network.

Māori research

A broad section of Māori research includes the following projects.

Manaaki Whenua is kaitiaki of a collection of traditional weaving varieties of harakeke (NZ flax, Phormium spp.). The 50 harakeke were selected long ago from natural stands and cultivated by Māori weavers for their special leaf and fibre properties. There are varieties specially suited to making kete, whāriki, piupiu and cloaks. Divisions of the harakeke are distributed on request to marae, schools, weavers and community groups wishing to establish a weaving resource. Manaaki Whenua scientists have had a long collaboration with Māori weavers in research on the effects of environmental conditions on the growth and weaving qualities of harakeke and other weaving plants.

Other long term research includes a monitoring programme for Oi (Grey-faced petrel, Pterodroma macroptera gouldi): a keystone species to the ecosystems on the Ruamāhua (Aldermen) Islands and Moutohora (Whale Island) and taonga for the Hauraki and Ngāti Awa communities. Scientific and mātauranga (traditional knowledge) investigations will advance understanding of what factors drive changes and long-term trends in Oi populations on these islands.

1n 2000, Landcare Research, as part of the national wetlands research team, developed a set of Māori indicators for investigating the condition and changes in wetlands, with the goal of using these indicators to monitor progress towards cultural goals for the restoration of wetlands. Iwi and hapū from many parts of the country took part, contributing their knowledge and understanding of wetlands. This work was based on memoranda of understanding, respect, and partnerships between Landcare Research and iwi/ hapū, leading to numerous long-term working relationships.

In 2002 Landcare Research started an integrated catchment management (ICM) research study in the Motueka – Nelson region intimately involving some local iwi/hapū of Te Tauihu-o-te-Waka-a-Maui (iwi groups of northern South Island) in many facets of the ICM research. This work has led to the development of cultural indicators for monitoring freshwater health, an iwi-based geographic information system (GIS), and many other culturally responsive collaborative projects. The work has largely been funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST). The Tau Ihu group has included Ngāti Rarua, Te Atiawa and Ngāti Tama, the Ngāti Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust (NRAIT), Wakatū Inc, and a representative pan-tribal resource management agency, Tiakina Te Taiao Ltd.

Research into Climate change and Maori and work on Māori issues and perspectives of Kyoto policy began in 2003.

Along with a Māori-owned research company Mana Taiao, Landcare Research carried out indigenous branding research in the FRST-funded Waka Tohu project (2003–2007) case studying many successful Māori businesses and providing findings on Maori values in business, sustainability, indigenous branding for competitive advantage, IP and other relevant areas of business research with Māori. Case studies included: Tohu Wines, Wakatū Incorporation, Biofarm Ltd., Ngai Tahu Seafood Ltd., Shotover Jet Ltd., Team Logistics Ltd. and Whale Watch Kaikoura. More recently Landcare Research has also conducted research into Māori tourism opportunities.

Manaaki Whenua has managed an extensive programme of research and community engagement in Low Impact Urban Design and Development. A package of urban development approaches and processes includes urban restoration strategies designed to reduce the mismatch between current urban design and development and the values of Māori. Specific outcomes for Māori include restoration strategies for sites of special value and improved urban design guidelines and district plans incorporating Māori values.

Contemporary Māori knowledge on resource management and principles of kaitiakitanga are woven together with science and Māori-specific methodologies for assessing environmental quality to develop a practical resource management framework. This framework will act as a navigational tool to provide the relevant signposts to underpin effective Māori engagement in natural resource management, thus assisting Māori to realise their kaitiaki responsibilities and affect positive outcomes for the wider community and a range of end-user organisations. Associated with the programme is Tiakina te whanga – ka ora, a dynamic group of Māori environmental resource managers, kaumatua, scientists and end-user organisations who are committed to increasing the efficacy of Māori participation in resource management issues.

In 2008, Landcare Research launched a comprehensive new sustainability section on their website. One of the ground-breaking approaches has been to include a section on Mātauranga Māori in Sustainable Resource Management in the Voices for Sustainability section.

Last updated 16 July 2009