Working together with hapū, iwi, Māori communities and Māori business to deliver tailored science.
Te Kūwaha, NIWA’s National Centre for Māori Environmental Research is a dedicated Māori research team, with a vision to work in partnership with others to enable complementary knowledge systems to support kaitiakitanga and provide environmental research excellence that enhances the social, environmental and economic aspirations of whānau, hapū and iwi, Maori communities and Maori business.
We strive to:
- Provide environmental research of benefit to Māori through the formation of robust and meaningful partnerships with iwi, hapū and Māori organisations.
- Work collaboratively with Māori, other research providers, central and local government agencies, to identify and respond to Māori research priorities.
- Develop a distinctive body of knowledge at the interface between indigenous knowledge and research, science and technology.
We are working with whānau, hapū and iwi across Aotearoa undertaking research and providing consultancy services across ocean, freshwater and climate science areas including aquaculture, species research, restoration of mahinga kai areas, natural hazards, climate change adaptation.
Te Kūwaha is committed to the development of effective long-term relationships with Māori that have environmental and commercial needs. We have signed memoranda of understanding with both iwi and Māori organisations and recognise the iwi role in manawhenua, manamoana and kaitiakitanga. We pay careful attention to Māori aspirations and needs in relation to kawa atua and tikanga tangata.
