Implementing Māori indigenous knowledge (mātauranga) in a scientific paradigm: Restoring the mauri to Te Kete Poutama

Abstract

Trustees of ahu whenua land taken under the Tasman Enabling Act and used as an industrial waste dump site for more than 30 years have been battling for decades for the opportunity and means to exercise manawhenua over their land and realize their role as kaitiaki. The Trustees are looking to “science” – the language of the courts, technical reports and resource consents – as the knowledge system to make informed decisions, but to date have not found appropriate or satisfactory methods. With the land due to be returned in 2013, the Trustees are determined to develop and execute a programme that will restore the mauri to Te Kete Poutama. Ultimately, to find a solution the restoration plan must involve investigating and successfully navigating integration of science and matauranga.