Waikowhitiwhiti Manaaki Taha Moana Newsletter April 2014
Kapowai
Manaaki te Awanui is a research group, founded upon valuing mātauranga māori as a tool to support the restoration and enhancement of coastal ecosystems. Our research projects place emphasis on iwi/hapū/whānau capacity building and
Waka Digital have made significant progress on the Kapowai (helicopter mounted camera) and earlier this year it was launched into the first of a series of test flights, with amazing success. With the direction of an experienced driver the Kapowai was able to capture clear Hidefinition aerial videos of a number of sites around the Tauranga Harbour (the bottom image in the adjacent picture is an example of a still image taken from an aerial video over Mauao). We are very excited to utilise this tool in our current research projects and are certain that it will have a key role in future environmental and cultural monitoring programmes.
empowering kaitiakitanga and tino rangatiratanga. Our research is a collaborative venture which sees us work closely with the Manaaki Taha Moana research partners, Massey University, Cawthron Institute, Waka Digital and Taiao Raukawa, as well as the local and regional authorities, tertiary institutes and environmental agencies. We are part of a number of research projects based in Tauranga Moana, and we hope that this newsletter will provide whanau with an insight into our research and upcoming events later in the year.
Matariki Ahunganui On the 4th of July 2014 Manaaki Taha Moana will be hosting Matariki Ahunganui, a one day forum celebrating environmental cross cultural research. The main theme of the event will be: Mai uta ki tai – restoring and enhancing freshwater and coastal ecosystems and their services of importance to iwi, through a better understanding of these ecosystems and the degradation processes that affect them. We would like to extend an invitation to all hapū and iwi to join us in recognizing the efforts of our local Māori researchers, and Māori environmental groups.
Coastal Cultural Health Index We are well into phase two of the Coastal Cultural Health Index project and have been working closely with Ngāti Taka, whom have supported the CCHI project from its inception. We are currently in the process of conducting site evaluations within the rohe moana of Ngāti Taka. Site evaluations require significant input from hapu and involve documenting a combination of traditional knowledge and cultural perceptions. Nā reira ka mihi ake ki ngā whānau ō Ngāti Taka e kaha tatoko ana i te kaupapa, ko te tūmanako ka whai hua, ka whai oranga te hapū, te iwi whānui hoki.