A Kaupapa Māori Approach to Research

A Kaupapa Māori Approach to Research

Te Kāhui Rau, the Taranaki-based pilot project that is part of the Revialise Te Taiao research programme, reflects on the past year of research and the Te Tiriti o Waitangi three-day wānanga they hosted in Taranaki in November 2022.

Te Kāhui Rau, the Taranaki-based pilot project that is part of the Revitalise Te Taiao research programme, signals a commitment to creating positive change for future generations through the revitalisation of te Taiao. 

Te Kāhui Rau empowers and amplifies the voices of Taranaki hapū, nurturing their capacity to lead kaupapa Māori research. Through immersive wānanga experiences, they unlock the potential of their ancestral knowledge, infusing it into the fabric of collaboration with local government agencies. Together, they work tirelessly to implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles, paving the way for a future where partnerships thrive and flourish.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi wānanga hosted by Te Kahui Rau in Taranaki. Photo taken at Katere ki te Moana marae Ngāti Tawhirikura hapū, Te Ātiawa iwi

The Revitalise te Taiao leadership team identified early on in the program that there was a need to ensure that all those involved in the research kaupapa were being supported to learn and understand the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Taiao Manawa Ora framework provided the foundation, with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles as a guide on how to implement the work.

However, more in-depth guidance was required. This is where Te Kahui Rau contributed significantly by hosting a special Te Tiriti o Waitangi wānanga in Taranaki. 

Te Kahui Rau: Glen Skipper takes manuhiri on a site tour of Te Rewarewa Pa in Taranaki 

The Te Tiriti o Waitangi three-day wānanga was held in November 2022 and attended by Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao (three place-based pilots), Ngā Kaihoe (parent research programme group), and leaders from within Our Land and Water, AgResearch, and invited guests.

The entire team was welcomed by mana whenua kaitiaki of Ngāti Tawhirikura, a hapū of Te Ātiawa iwi, to enter their Taiao to walk the whenua (land) at Te Rewarewa Pā site.

Taranaki was ground zero for the New Zealand Land Wars during the 1860s.

For some of the Revitalise te Taiao team, the experience was a cultural awakening, a history lesson right from the hearts and minds of tangata whenua who shared the intergenerational impact of land confiscations by the crown.

We heard about the many ways hapū members are facilitating maara kai (food gardens), eco-sourcing and planting taonga species of native trees, and creating opportunities for whānau to reconnect with their whenua and Taiao. It was inspiring to gain a deeper understanding of the hopes and aspirations of those striving to create a better future for their whānau, hapū, and iwi in both strategic and practical ways to heal the people and heal the whenua. 

Glen Skipper takes manuhiri on a site tour of Te Rewarewa Pa in Taranaki taken during Te Tiriti o Waitangi wānanga

Te Kahui Rau also ran a series of Kaupapa Māori research wānanga in Ngāmotu. The line-up of distinguished presenters included Professor Leonie Pihama, Professor Graham Smith, Professor Linda Tuhiwai (Raumati), Ngaropi Raumati, and Dr Ken Taiapa. 

In workshop one, Kaupapa Māori Theory, participants learned how to develop appropriately defined questions, objectives, and aims in ways that are grounded within a Kaupapa Māori approach. Workshops two and three focused on Kaupapa Māori Methodology.

The interactive workshop series encouraged participants to develop skills in creating appropriate methodological approaches and to determine research methods that are most conducive to the research area at hand. 

Research Workshop One: Kaupapa Māori Theory. Front row: Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith, Professor Graham Smith, Professor Leonie Pihama, Megan Sommerville, Glen Skipper, Whānau, Hapū Participants from throughout Taranaki region
Te Kahui Rau: Sonya Cole, Dr Ken Taiapa, Bry Kopu, Glen Skipper, Professor Leonie Pihama, Ngaropi Raumati, Professor Linda Tuhiwai Smith

In reflection of the past year, this is what Te Kahui Rau whānau had to share:

“As the year has gone on, we are really now starting to connect to rich opportunities and wisdom. Reflecting on our growth, there is the practical stuff, but the biggest growth has occurred as we have had the time and space for whakaaro, to explore new ideas and the wisdom of others,” said Glen Skipper, Te Kahui Rau project co-lead.

“We have experienced a number of challenges, which has meant we have had to adjust, rethink, refocus, and re-evaluate and those are the real key outcomes. We have aspirations, but it is the journeying, the failing, and the succeeding that is refining our position and place. We have half a dozen steps that we have to get done, in order to really set ourselves up for the next level of development.”  

Te Kahui Rau Kaupapa Māori Workshop Two in Ngāmotu 

Bry Kopu, Te Kahui Rau project co-lead, said: “The biggest highlight for me personally has been to reconnect with everybody and witness the relative growth of our kaupapa and that of the other pilot projects. It’s been great as we are all at different stages of the revitalisation journey, experiencing different challenges and opportunities. Building genuine relationships and trust has been critical to us getting the most out of our time together.

“As a team, it has been important to have the time and space to reflect on our kaupapa and how we are doing in relation to the greater vision and project goals. Revitalise te Taiao has really been the catalyst for a number of the initiatives that we are currently developing, deepening our networks, and deepening our understanding of what we want to achieve long term. It has been an invaluable experience for us.”

Te Kahui Rau Kaupapa Māori Workshop Two in Ngāmotu 

Te Raumahora Hema, mātauranga Māori lead, said: “Revitalise te Taiao is multifaceted. It is revitalising everything, our knowledge systems, our language, our customs, the way in which we do things, and the way in which we live. It is a long-term journey.  For our pilot, we live and breathe mātauranga and tikanga in our everyday lives. Mātauranga, taking back knowledge systems that have been lost to my whānau to my generation, to the last few generations. I’m privileged to be a part of this kaupapa. Being Māori in 2023, the emphasis and the importance of revitalising Taiao is revitalising everything.  

“Te Kahui Rau, our humble beginning, our pilot is conceptual, however, we are getting into those conversations and having those bigger conversations as a region in terms of our Taiao and how we can connect with our other hapū around our maunga Taranaki.” 

Renee Kahukura Iosefa
Renee Kahukura Iosefa

Renee Kahukura Iosefa (Kia Ora Media Marketing & PR) is the communications and engagement lead for the Revitalise Te Taiao research programme

Transparency Reports & Impact Assessments

Publish annual transparency reports and impact assessments that document the social, environmental, and economic outcomes of value chain activities. This could include metrics on mana & mauri of soil, carbon emissions, water usage, biodiversity conservation, and community development indicators, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the value chain's performance and areas for improvement.

By incorporating these ideas into value chain development efforts, stakeholders can create cultural, transparent, ethical, and sustainable systems that honour the interconnectedness of te Taiao, people, place, and consumers.

Cultural Protocol & Respect

Incorporate cultural protocols and practices into value chain activities, ensuring that all interactions with the land, waterways, and natural resources are conducted with respect and reciprocity. This could involve consultation with mana whenua, knowledge holders, and cultural advisors to ensure that value chain activities align with cultural values and traditions.

Regenerative Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Promote kaitiakitanga and regenerative agriculture practices that prioritise mana whenua and landowner knowledge, soil health, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. This could involve supporting whanau & hapu, and landowners in implementing agroecological techniques, reforestation projects, and habitat restoration efforts that enhance ecosystem resilience and vitality.

Consumer Feedback & Engagement

Engage consumers in dialogue and solicit feedback on their preferences, values, and expectations regarding transparency and sustainability. This could be tested through kanohi-ki-te-kanohi and digital surveys, focus groups, or interactive forums where consumers can voice their opinions and contribute to the development of more transparent

Environmental Monitoring & Reporting

Implement environmental monitoring and reporting systems to track the impact of production activities on local ecosystems and communities. This could include regular audits, data collection initiatives, and community-based research projects that assess the social, environmental, and cultural implications of value chain activities.

Supply Chain Partnerships

Forge partnerships between producers, processors, logistics providers, wholesalers and retailers to create transparent and mutually beneficial supply chains. This could involve direct sourcing agreements, fair pricing mechanisms, and collaborative decision-making processes that prioritise the well-being of producers and the environment.

Cultural Storytelling & Education

Use storytelling and educational initiatives to raise awareness about the cultural significance of products and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices. This could involve hosting community events, workshops, or virtual tours that showcase the connection between te Taiao, people, place, and the products consumers purchase.

Maori/Community - Led Certification & Labelling

Establish a certification or labelling system that highlights products sourced from Maori-owned or environmentally sustainable enterprises. This could include labels indicating adherence to traditional land management practices, organic farming methods, or fair trade principles e.g. to take a step further the labels are printed with vegetable ink from a facility powered by renewable energy!!

Incorporating Maori knowledge & Practices

Value chains can integrate Maori knowledge and practices related to environmental stewardship, resource management, and cultural preservation. Local communities can be actively involved in decision-making processes, drawing on their deep understanding of the land, waterways, and ecosystems.

Digital Platforms for Transparency

Develop digital platforms or mobile applications that provide consumers with real-time information about the origin, production methods, and environmental footprint of products. This could include interactive maps showcasing the journey of products from farm to table, stories about local producers, and data on sustainability metrics.

Community-Owned Enterprises

Promote the establishment of community-owned enterprises that prioritise transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of benefits. These enterprises could involve local farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs working collaboratively to produce and market goods while respecting cultural and environmental values.

Developing a Transparent Value Chain

 

Value chains and markets with a te Taiao, people, and place perspective can operate by fostering sustainability, cultural resilience, economic empowerment, and community well-being. They recognise the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and cultural factors and strive to create inclusive and equitable systems that benefit all stakeholders.

Developing a transparent value chain from the perspective of te Taiao, people, place, and consumers can involve integrating Te Ao Maori knowledge and sustainable practices into every stage of the production and distribution process. Examples of this could be as follows: