Projects

Exploring a Māori classificatory system of flora and fauna within Tainui waka

Expertise: 
Biology / Biotechnology, Traditional Knowledge

For many years, the knowledge of indigenous peoples has been the preserve of Western anthropologists and ethnographers. Like other indigenous people, Māori are concerned with the ongoing neglect, misuse and erosion of traditional ecological knowledge. This is further compounded by the loss of key knowledge holders over the years and their scarcity today.

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Tom Roa

Mātauranga Māori of naturally occurring toxins in native plants: Potential for Possum Control

Expertise: 
Biology / Biotechnology, Environment

Māori have voiced a range of concerns regarding the aerial application of 1080 bait and expressed the view that alternatives to 1080 are needed. One idea is that there may be toxins already present in plants in New Zealand's ecosystems that could perform well as alternative pest control tools.

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Shaun Ogilvie

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust

Expertise: 
Agriculture / Botany, Biology / Biotechnology, Environment, Indigenous Development, Kaupapa Māori Research, Tikanga - Maori Customs, Traditional Knowledge
Region: 
Waikato

Since 2018 I have participated as a Mana Whenua Trustee on the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. Where I represent Paaraawera Marae.

Working with both Iwi and Mana Whenua, and the wider Waipaa Community. To enhance the Mauri and the Mana of Maungatautari for everyone.

Being part of a strategic leadership and development team/board consisting of: 

  • Corporate,
  • Mana Whena,
  • Iwi,
  • Community, and;
  • Landowners.

Key Highlights:

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Aaron Barnsdall

Sustainable Seas Challenge

Expertise: 
Biology / Biotechnology, Education, Engineering/Science, Environment, Health, History, Indigenous Development, Information Technology, Kaupapa Māori Research, Law / Justice, Linguistics / Language, Policy & Planning, Science / Engineering, Social Science, Te Reo Māori, Tikanga - Maori Customs, Traditional Knowledge

I am Vision Maatauranga (VM) programme lead for the Sustainable Seas Challenge. Currently working with all five programmes in the Challenge to integrate and incorporate Maaori knowledge, people and resources with research project processes, outputs and outcomes. The VM programme has three projects in total, as well as being involved in respective research projects in each programme.

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James Whetu

Tetrodotoxin in Kaimoana: Science and Mātauranga Mitigating Health Risks from a Lethal Neurotoxin

Expertise: 
Biology / Biotechnology, Environment, Health

The Hauraki Māori Trust Board and the Cawthron Institute collaborated in this research project which stemmed from a spate of dog deaths on the beaches of Tikapa Moana (the Hauraki Gulf) in August 2009.  The dogs died from the poison tetrodotoxin (TTX) and this poison was present in sea slugs that had washed up on beaches. It became apparent research was needed to determine the poisoning risk associated with kaimoana from Tikapa Moana.

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Shaun Ogilvie