Knowledge

Mobilising for Action acknowledges that Māori cultural beliefs, values and practices are inextricably linked to te taiao, the natural environment, and represent a critical component of understanding the human dimensions of forest health management in Aotearoa. Equally, we recognise the contributions to forest health management that Western science and knowledge has and continues to make.

Rather than being opposing forces, the bodies of knowledge that are mātauranga Māori and Western science need to have complementary roles to play in understanding the human dimensions of forest health management. 

Waka hourua

In this sense, Mobilising for Action draws on the analogy of a waka hourua, a double-hulled canoe, navigating across an ocean.   Each hull of the waka represents a body of knowledge that informs our research. One hull represents Indigenous knowledges as epitomised by mātauranga Māori and the other hull represents Western science perspectives. The platform joining each hull – the papa noho, is a space where the navigators come together. All parts are required for the effective functioning of the waka. 

Papa noho

The papa noho is an important place, as this represents the ‘interface’, where mātauranga Māori and Western science can exist side-by side, respecting the relative strengths of and drawing on the potential in each other to create new knowledge. The ocean we navigate is te taiao – our natural environment.

Acknowledgement

“Mobilising for Action acknowledges the waka hourua as an approach that is utilised across a range of specialised areas, particularly in health. This helped Mobilising for Action to articulate our own approach to working as a team and we acknowledge the contribution of the Tangata Whenua rōpu and specifically Matua Hori Parata, for adoption of the waka hourua model in the kauri dieback space”

This approach to research helps keep us focused on the ultimate destination for our waka hourua – saving taonga species, restoring ecosystems and supporting the social, cultural and spiritual wellbeing that is derived from connections with the ngahere. 

Navigation

We recognise effective navigation of the waka can only be achieved by:

• supporting and empowering tangata whenua, mana whenua and communities to be engaged and mobilised;

• enabling both mātauranga Māori and social science research to be central in Mobilising for Action’s processes, research, and delivery.

Importantly, this approach also ensures we are ever-cognisant of our obligations to give full-effect to addressing the concerns outlined in WAI262. In particular, we acknowledge the opening submission of Counsel for the WAI262 claimants and recognise this theme as:

“…an opportunity to embrace an indigenous understanding of the environment and how we interact with it based on knowledge passed down through countless generations. The proper application of this knowledge can result in benefits to the environment and to the wider community as a whole.”

(Document A26 (Counsel for claimants, opening submission, 15 Sept 1997), p 2).