Me ora te Ngāhere: visioning forest health through an Indigenous biocultural lens

Abstract

Explanatory note The following text is described in the Ngāti Rangi mita (dialect), although concepts may be similar e.g. Mouri = Mauri, the spelling reflects the tribal vernacular. Context National biodiversity monitoring in Aotearoa, New Zealand is primarily conducted within Eurocentric conservation frameworks. At present, Māori (Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa) have limited interaction and role within these programs. Aims We explored a biocultural monitoring tool based on mātauranga (Māori knowledge) to inform Ngāti Rangi (a central North Island Māori tribe) about the health of spatially separate, but ecologically similar, forests within the Ngāti Rangi tribal estate. Methods We did a series of noho taiao (community workshops) and one on one interviews to collect the values that expressed a Ngāti Rangi world view, to measure the health of the ngahere (forest). Gradients and indicators were developed to apply a measure of ngahere health. The metrics were trialled in three forests to create a group understanding. The interviews provided an observation of ngahere health and assessed intergenerational differences in how forest health is perceived. Key results Rongoā, Manu, Ngahere, Wai, and Tangata were themes prioritised by Ngāti Rangi. Biocultural indicators revealed moderate health across the three forest sites, whilst the more ecological-based indicators indicated moderate to strong levels of health. Age-related differences in how forest condition indicated evidence of an inter-generational shift. However, it was agreed that the forest health had declined over the past 30–40 years. Conclusions A full sensory evaluation of forest health facilitates a deep relational connection to place, which coupled with philosophies such as reciprocity and whakapapa, are vital features of a biocultural conservation approach. Implications Cultural–ecological constructs are key in relationships between Indigenous Peoples and their environments. Biocultural approaches can contribute to reversing the current biodiversity crisis, through partnering in placed-based solutions.

A transdisciplinary approach for assessing connections between soil, food, and people in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…While the importance of Indigenous Knowledge in understanding the environment and addressing environmental issues is being increasingly recognised (Black et al, 2021;Herse et al, 2020;Lambert et al, 2018;Lyver et al, 2019;Lyver & Tylianakis, 2017;Moller et al, 2004;Reihana et al, 2023), several challenges must be overcome for these knowledge systems to be accepted and valued alongside Western academic disciplines (Black & Tylianakis, 2024;Harcourt et al, 2022;Lyver et al, 2009). Indigenous Knowledge systems occupy a different knowledge space to that of Western academic disciplines (Smith et al, 2016;Stewart, 2022), but historically, the latter have been privileged and prioritised over Indigenous Knowledge (Broughton & McBreen, 2015;Friedrichsen et al, 2022).…”