Introducing Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao

Introducing Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao

 

The Our Land and Water National Science Challenge funding allocated to the Revitalise te Taiao programme has seen three place-based research pilots receive a share of $8 million. The Wānaka-based project Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao has been allocated $2.09 million to fund research goals that include expanding the concept of farm plans to enhance the vitality of te taiao.

The project will be led by WAI Wānaka, a community group that brings together urban businesses, tourism organisations, catchment groups, landowners and community members in the upper Te Mata-Au/Upper Clutha river catchment.

Wānaka is rich in history and indigenous culture. The stories of tangata whenua are embedded in the snow-capped mountain ranges that stand as pou tokomanawa pillars that bear witness to stories of long ago; the native landscape where te hokioi, the Haast eagle, once soared; the picturesque pounamu greenstone trails; the swarms of tuna (eels) overflowing at the lake’s edge. Wānaka is a gathering place, where knowledge and information is shared. 

Generations on, the natural beauty of Wānaka is now a tourism mecca and a backdrop for Hollywood’s film industry. With well over half-a-million visitors each year, the demand and immense pressure on the whenua, wai ora, and te taiao is calling for action. 

In response, WAI Wānaka is working across rural, urban and tourism sectors to increase knowledge and accelerate action that revitalises te taiao. The intergenerational WAI Wānaka project team is on a mission to empower their community to understand their water, their environment and their impacts, and are spearheading community momentum within the region of Te Mata-Au/Upper Clutha catchment. 

 

Some of the WAI Wānaka team with the Revitalise Te Taiao team at Criffel Station

 

The initial whakawhanaungatanga at Criffel Station in Wānaka

 

Mandy Bell, chair of WAI Wānaka, shows the Revitalise Te Taiao team the Upper Clutha basin

WAI Wānaka aims to take a whole-of-community and whole-of-basin approach to revitalise te taiao, with healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations as its navigational compass. 

“The WAI Wānaka team is committed to accelerating local action for our freshwater and te Taiao,” says Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao Project Lead Prue Kane. “The action plan for our catchment, the mighty Upper Clutha, covers a total area of 4600 square kilometres. We have a dedicated team of passionate people who care about healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing.”

The Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao project is connecting leading scientists, researchers, local farmers, and experts in whenua, wai, āhuarangi (climate) and koiora (all living communities) to understand metrics that matter for assessing te taiao. The project will develop an understanding of land-use and land management options that enhance the environment, and of market and value-chain opportunities to support the implementation of changes required.

“We have a dedicated team of passionate people who care about healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing.”

— Prue Kane, Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao Project Lead

Bridging tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti relationships

In order to revitalise te taiao, Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles of partnership, participation and protection need to be at the forefront to establish genuine, meaningful relationships with Ngā Hapū mana whenua of Ngāi Tahu, Waitaha and Ngāti Māmoe. 

WAI Wānaka is committed to developing relationships with Ngā Rūnaka mana whenua within the Upper Clutha, to establish pathways to help revitalise te taiao. 

WAI Wānaka Chair Mandy Bell expects it will take time to develop, strengthen and maintain engagement with tangata whenua. This is a journey that will be closely guided by the support of the Revitalise te Taiao leadership team, who each hold key strengths within te ao Pākehā and te ao Māori, science and mātauranga Māori. Understanding how Treaty principles need to be applied in action is a journey WAI Wānaka is determined to get right.

 

View of the Upper Clutha basin

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: