South Pacific: The Practice of Mātauranga: Efforts of local Conservation and Connection to land

The Maori practice of Mātauranga, as a holistic knowledge system of connection to Aotearoa New Zealand, provides a unique opportunity to foster greater conservation practices at a local and national level in the preservation of New Zealand's unique ecosystems and biodiversity. 

State of Nature 

Aotearoa New Zealand is distinctive in its unique and vibrant ecosystems, from the proud standing Mount Cook connecting Lake Tekapo to the soaring skies, to the oceanic biodiversity of the Tasman Sea and the wonders of Fiordland National Park, home to the Brown Kiwi and the Tawaki Penguin. New Zealand is a unique wonder referred to as the land of the long white cloud by the Maori. Moreover, the nexus of human development and the natural world has informed identity, social practices, and community between all New Zealanders for generations. As such, it provides opportunities for kinship, understanding, and enlightenment through the land.

Policy, Protection, and Preservation 

Since the conclusion of the Jobs for Nature programme in 2024, local mahi (jobs) in conservation have had to return to non-governmental movements and organisations. The benefit of these grassroots conservation movements like the Kaimai Mamaku Restoration Project is the deep connection to the natural world shaped by Mātauranga. To that extent, a greater union and responsibility of the Maori people to preserve and sustain biodiversity through the convergence of traditional and modern practices provides new knowledge systems of sustainability and conservation.

The release of the Our Land 2024 report by the New Zealand Government acknowledged the importance of maintaining a relationship with the land due to New Zealand's ecosystem surviving a millennium. The report addressed the impacts of greater urbanisation and population demand, the ecological devastation by invasive species as well as global concerns of climate change impacting glacial development and soil health. 

Nationally, the economy in New Zealand relies upon the land to sustain economic growth in the large sectors of tourism and farming. At a metaphysical level, the Maori concept of te ao Māori (the life force) suggests unity between all living things. However, when the te ao Māori is out of alignment due to poor environmental management, the benefits of the land become detrimental to the environment, society and the economy. Therefore, the Jobs for Nature programme did provide an opportunity to address sustainability at local and national levels, whilst providing economic incentives to prioritize the biodiversity of Aotearoa. It is not without stating the Maori, due to their deep connection to the land, seek a greater stake in shaping environmental governance.

Beyond the challenges of large-scale governance initiatives of sustainability and conservation at a national level, it is important to acknowledge the positive impact of conservation, which can occur at a local level. Through being informed by Mātauranga, larger questions of finding community, identity and a sense of custodianship of the land and waterways can occur through understanding modern and traditional sustainability and conservation. 

From little things, big things grow.

Within the vibrant and lush Ngahere (forests) of Kaimai-Mamaku of Northern New Zealand, one can become lost and forget that the city of Auckland is two and a half hours northwest. The dichotomy of the uncontrolled natural world and the controlled city is compelling as we enter an era focused on sustainability and eco-friendly development. 

The team at the Kaimai Mamaku Restoration Project practices Mātauranga. The practice takes many forms including te reo (Māori language), taonga tuku iho (treasure handed down) and mātauranga (traditional environmental knowledge) and knowledge of cultural practises, such as rongoa (healing and medicines) and mahinga kai (hunting, fishing and cultivation of food). Operations Manager Whentu Apaapa positioned the efforts of greater sustainability to provide a future for us as people. Importantly, mātauranga evolves over generations because the human experience over time enhances knowledge, thereby new knowledge systems of sustainability and conservation are created.

The efforts of reducing species such as possums, mice and rats from degrading Kaimai-Mamaku showcases a grassroot initiative to address one of the factors of concern stated in the Our Land report. Furthermore, both Whentu and Amorangi have a shared positive vision for the future in which the native flora and fauna remain vibrant. By reducing invasive species, the Kaimai Mamaku Restoration Project aims to promote equilibrium within te ao Māori, promoting greater soil health and cleaner waterways to sustain the abundance of the natural world. It is these small efforts that will allow big changes towards national conservation and sustainability and spark new ways of understanding and knowledge.