The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

How Māori knowledge could help New Zealanders turn their concern for the environment into action

  • Written by Scott Burnett, Research assistant, Massey University
How Māori knowledge could help New Zealanders turn their concern for the environment into action

As world leaders continue negotiations at the COP26 climate summit[1] in Glasgow, several agreements[2] reached so far have acknowledged the connection between climate change and the global loss of biodiversity.

Half a world away, we might feel somewhat smug. Almost a third of Aotearoa New Zealand is protected as conservation land, but we nevertheless have the highest number of threatened species worldwide, with 79% of birds, bats, reptiles and frogs at risk of or threatened with extinction[3].

The threat to wildlife is entirely due to human impacts[4], including the introduction of mammal predators and land-use practices that threaten Indigenous biodiversity.

Despite more than 40,000 people in 600 community conservation groups[5] working throughout the country, these efforts and gains are tenuous, not yet arresting the decline in biodiversity[6].

Surveys[7] show New Zealanders are increasingly aware of the state of our environment, but knowledge on its own does not spur action.

We suggest mātauranga Māori[8], a traditional system of understanding the natural world, could help take people from awareness to action.

Conservation status of native species in New Zealand. Stats NZ, CC BY-ND[9][10]

Te Mana o te Taiao is New Zealand’s national biodiversity strategy[11] and lays out conservation priorities for the next three decades. It promotes the braiding of Western science and mātauranga Māori and emphasises a focus on people as much as the environment.

Regular surveys[12] show a marked shift in public perception of the state of New Zealand’s environment. Twenty years ago, a majority believed the environment was in good health, but today, most people believe it is in poor health.

The survey also asks if respondents had participated in environmental advocacy or volunteer work, but the percentage of people who have has remained steady over two decades.

Read more: Why Indigenous knowledge should be an essential part of how we govern the world's oceans[13]

From awareness to action

People feel increasingly disconnected from the natural world[14] for a few key reasons, including:

  • a rise of individualism and the erosion of community

  • distraction by technology and entertainment

  • increasing urbanisation and inequality leading to an “extinction of experience”

  • poorer urban populations with fewer opportunities to connect with nature.

Awareness alone does not spur action, but research shows people who feel more connected with nature[15] have a stronger sense of environmental responsibility.

If we wish to ensure the survival of our Indigenous biodiversity, we need to ask how we get from awareness to action. Indigenous peoples have played a strong role in conserving biodiversity over many centuries, and mātauranga Māori could hold some answers.

Read more: Indigenous knowledge and the persistence of the 'wilderness' myth[16]

There are three main strands to how mātauranga Māori can turn knowledge into action.

  1. Ecological science has increased our understanding of the inter-connectedness of ecosystems and has brought us closer to a mātauranga Māori concept of human relationships with the natural world. Within this concept, if the environment is not in good health, people can’t be in good health either. Seeing ourselves as inter-connected and inter-dependent with the natural world engenders reciprocity and care[17] for the natural world.

  2. By embedding values and beliefs into facts, knowledge becomes more memorable, meaningful and relatable. This helps people to form an identity of belonging within the natural world and a connection to place. We are far more likely to care for a place if we feel a connection[18] to it.

  3. Awareness of our inter-connections and dependence on the natural world helps us see the dissonance between stewardship and practices that threaten other species.

Community conservation as the answer

Community conservation groups could play a central role in achieving New Zealand’s national biodiversity strategy through use of mātauranga Māori concepts.

Ecosanctuaries like Zealandia[19] already provide opportunities to connect with the natural world, through education and volunteering[20]. There are more than 80 sanctuaries[21] throughout the country, providing opportunities for people to acquaint themselves with the natural world and become involved in conservation activities.

Ecosanctuaries demonstrate environmental restoration is possible and conservation is everyone’s responsibility, not just the role of the state. They effectively build a constituency for conservation within the community.

A conservation volunteer releases South Island saddlebacks, or tīeke in an ecosanctuary.
A conservation volunteer releases South Island saddlebacks, or tīeke – one of New Zealand’s endangered native birds – in an ecosanctuary. Andrew MacDonald/Getty Images, CC BY-ND[22]

Zealandia identifies its role as an enabler of transformation in the way people engage with the natural world. Their 20-year strategy[23] emphasises mātauranga Māori and inspiring change through shared passion.

The biodiversity strategy is fundamentally about people […] the task that we have in front of us is fundamentally about changing the way people value the natural world.

Māori continually straddle two worlds, navigating the Māori world view and the Tauiwi (Western) world. Non-Māori rarely step into the Māori world, and its unfamiliarity can cause discomfort.

Incorporating mātauranga Māori should not mean appropriating knowledge from Māori or glossing over legitimate Māori grievances. Instead, being able to hold two world views[24] can be likened to gaining binocular vision – people discern more depth and detail than by seeing the world through a single lens.

To maintain and improve our biodiversity, we need to practise conservation everywhere rather than only in conservation spaces. Embracing mātauranga Māori concepts could help New Zealanders to develop an identity of ecological belonging to become better kaitiaki (guardians) of our biodiversity.

This article is based on a presentation given at a Sanctuaries of New Zealand[25] workshop earlier this year on the theme of iwi and conservation.

References

  1. ^ COP26 climate summit (ukcop26.org)
  2. ^ agreements (www.theguardian.com)
  3. ^ risk of or threatened with extinction (www.stats.govt.nz)
  4. ^ human impacts (www.publish.csiro.au)
  5. ^ conservation groups (www.newzealandecology.org)
  6. ^ decline in biodiversity (www.tandfonline.com)
  7. ^ Surveys (researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz)
  8. ^ mātauranga Māori (www.researchgate.net)
  9. ^ Stats NZ (statisticsnz.shinyapps.io)
  10. ^ CC BY-ND (creativecommons.org)
  11. ^ national biodiversity strategy (www.doc.govt.nz)
  12. ^ surveys (researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz)
  13. ^ Why Indigenous knowledge should be an essential part of how we govern the world's oceans (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ disconnected from the natural world (esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  15. ^ connected with nature (link.springer.com)
  16. ^ Indigenous knowledge and the persistence of the 'wilderness' myth (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ engenders reciprocity and care (www.pnzmemberhub.org.nz)
  18. ^ connection (conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com)
  19. ^ Zealandia (www.visitzealandia.com)
  20. ^ volunteering (www.visitzealandia.com)
  21. ^ sanctuaries (www.tandfonline.com)
  22. ^ CC BY-ND (creativecommons.org)
  23. ^ 20-year strategy (www.visitzealandia.com)
  24. ^ two world views (link.springer.com)
  25. ^ Sanctuaries of New Zealand (www.sanctuariesnz.org)

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-maori-knowledge-could-help-new-zealanders-turn-their-concern-for-the-environment-into-action-168831

Times Magazine

Building a Strong Online Presence with Katoomba Web Design

Katoomba web design is more than just creating a website that looks good—it’s about building an online presence that reflects your brand, engages your audience, and drives results. For local businesses in the Blue Mountains, a well-designed website a...

September Sunset Polo

International Polo Tour To Bridge Historic Sport, Life-Changing Philanthropy, and Breath-Taking Beauty On Saturday, September 6th, history will be made as the International Polo Tour (IPT), a sports leader headquartered here in South Florida...

5 Ways Microsoft Fabric Simplifies Your Data Analytics Workflow

In today's data-driven world, businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline their data analytics processes. The sheer volume and complexity of data can be overwhelming, often leading to bottlenecks and inefficiencies. Enter the innovative da...

7 Questions to Ask Before You Sign IT Support Companies in Sydney

Choosing an IT partner can feel like buying an insurance policy you hope you never need. The right choice keeps your team productive, your data safe, and your budget predictable. The wrong choice shows up as slow tickets, surprise bills, and risky sh...

Choosing the Right Legal Aid Lawyer in Sutherland Shire: Key Considerations

Legal aid services play an essential role in ensuring access to justice for all. For people in the Sutherland Shire who may not have the financial means to pay for private legal assistance, legal aid ensures that everyone has access to representa...

Watercolor vs. Oil vs. Digital: Which Medium Fits Your Pet's Personality?

When it comes to immortalizing your pet’s unique personality in art, choosing the right medium is essential. Each artistic medium, whether watercolor, oil, or digital, has distinct qualities that can bring out the spirit of your furry friend in dif...

The Times Features

How much money do you need to be happy? Here’s what the research says

Over the next decade, Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire[1]. The Tesla board recently proposed a US$1 trillion (A$1.5 trillion) compensation plan, if Musk ca...

NSW has a new fashion sector strategy – but a sustainable industry needs a federally legislated response

The New South Wales government recently announced the launch of the NSW Fashion Sector Strategy, 2025–28[1]. The strategy, developed in partnership with the Australian Fashion ...

From Garden to Gift: Why Roses Make the Perfect Present

Think back to the last time you gave or received flowers. Chances are, roses were part of the bunch, or maybe they were the whole bunch.   Roses tend to leave an impression. Even ...

Do I have insomnia? 5 reasons why you might not

Even a single night of sleep trouble can feel distressing and lonely. You toss and turn, stare at the ceiling, and wonder how you’ll cope tomorrow. No wonder many people star...

Wedding Photography Trends You Need to Know (Before You Regret Your Album)

Your wedding album should be a timeless keepsake, not something you cringe at years later. Trends may come and go, but choosing the right wedding photography approach ensures your ...

Can you say no to your doctor using an AI scribe?

Doctors’ offices were once private. But increasingly, artificial intelligence (AI) scribes (also known as digital scribes) are listening in. These tools can record and trans...