Through knowledge exchange and partnership between Te Ao Māori and science, we can achieve a more resilient future.
He Waka Manawaroa is a conceptual framework, co-developed by our Rangahau Rangapū (Māori researcher cohort), to support the embedding of Vision Mātauranga into the Resilience Platform. It draws on the waka hourua (double hull canoe) as a metaphor. The waka hourua is a familiar concept used throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and in this context it visually represents the interweaving of Māori knowledges and science, to strengthen Aotearoa New Zealand’s resilience to natural hazards.
- Two hulls symbolise two knowledge systems, connected by the papa noho where collaboration and innovation occur, and partnerships support hapū, iwi and community-driven research.
- Co-leadership (hoe urungi) ensures navigation, while adaptable research themes and programmes (tai moana) drive progress.
- Partners and stakeholders (moutere) support impact, and guiding principles (whetū) maintain direction.
The ultimate goal (pae tawhiti) is a resilient future through knowledge exchange and partnership.
The Partnership
We are approaching partnership and participation in two ways:
- A national partnership is emerging between the Platform and the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum, to identify strategic priorities and areas of mutual benefit and impact, and
- Community-driven research co-designed and led by Māori, ensuring whānau, hapū, and iwi determine their own resilience pathways.
Tikanga
Through He Waka Manawaroa, we will build capability and capacity in resilience research through:
- Ensuring relevant Vision Mātauranga activities are embedded across all research themes, capabilities and functions of the Platform
- Fostering future kairangahau Māori (Māori researchers) and strengthening leadership in relevant mātauranga Māori, Māori science and technology through Masters, PhD and postdoctoral positions as well as partnering in research with marae, hapū and iwi
- Recognising the value of mātauranga Māori for resilience building through community-led solutions, evidence-based initiatives and collaborative approaches with sciences and scientists.
- Co-development of communication outputs with Māori researchers and iwi / hapū collaborators, to ensure research progress, stories and findings are conveyed to communities in engaging and appropriate ways.
He mihi
We thank Dr Acushla Dee Sciascia (Māpuna Consultants) for facilitating the engagement process that led to the development of He Waka Manawaroa and the priorities for our Vision Mātauranga research, as well as everyone who contributed. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou.
The process involved our Rangapū Rangahau, the National Science Challenge Rauika Māngai network, existing iwi and hapū collaborators, and the National Iwi Chairs’ Forum who contributed valuable perspectives on iwi priorities for resilience research.