Our Mātauranga Research Recovery project is all about capturing and using mātauranga hapu (Community knowledge) to support the well-being, resilience, and growth of our communities. Mātauranga Hapu includes the knowledge and understanding hapu have of their culture, history, environment, and worldview.

Our Rangahau team consist of Ngati Wai Kaumatua Robert Carpenter, Dr Teina Boasa Dean and Master student from Waikato University Natalie Taufa

Benefits

This research will bring many benefits, such as:

  • Revitalizing Local Knowledge: It will help bring back and strengthen the local mana whenua (people of the land) knowledge about kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the Whangaruru marine environment.
  • Ecosystem Regeneration: The knowledge gained will support the regeneration of kaimoana (seafood) and the ecosystems they live in.
  • Building Resilience: It will help mana whenua adapt to challenges like overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change.
  • Food Security: By protecting and regenerating marine life, we support food security for mana whenua who rely on the ocean.
  • Environmental Restoration: The project will help restore the Whangaruru Catchment to a healthy state.
  • Cultural Reinforcement: It will reinforce the culture, identity, and heritage of the community, enhancing the mana (prestige) of Whangaruru.

Method

Our Mātauranga recovery plan is guided by kaupapa Hapu research principles and methods. Kaupapa hapu Research is a research approach by hapui, for hapu, and with Hapu. It values hapu cultural practices, beliefs, knowledge, and worldviews, challenging mainstream research norms and seeking to understand the world from a hapu perspective.

Here’s how we’ll do it:

  • Collaborative Process: We will work closely with hapu (sub-tribes), whanau (families), marae (meeting grounds), and individual participants.
  • Wananga Approach: We will develop ongoing wananga (educational gatherings) to collect information about local taonga species (treasured species) and their ecosystems.
  • Story Collection: We will gather stories and experiences from participants, focusing on the species and marine environment.
  • Engaging Elders: We will work with kaumatua and kuia (elders) who are knowledgeable in te reo me ōna tikanga (the Māori language and customs). We’ll ensure to respectfully negotiate how we work with our elderly participants.
  • Involving Women and Youth: We will engage women and rangatahi (youth) in sharing their mātauranga.
  • Kaupapa Hapu Interview Techniques: We will use methods like whakawhitiwhiti korero (conversational interviews) and focus group gatherings to gather in-depth knowledge.
  • Recording and Categorizing: Feedback will be recorded and categorized according to species and location.
  • Secondary Source Research: We will also search secondary sources, such as Waitangi Tribunal reports and the Alexander Turnbull Library.
  • Employing Māori Researchers: Hapu kaupapa Māori researchers will lead this work to ensure it is carried out with cultural integrity and relevance.

Join us in this exciting journey to recover and celebrate our mātauranga hapu, and help protect and restore our precious marine environment!