Ngāi Tūhoe
General Manager - Maori Strategy & Partnerships
Marino Tahi joined the NIWA Science Management team in 2015. He came to NIWA from Landcare Research where he was Māori Partnerships Manager since 2006. He leads NIWA’s endeavours to maximise the transfer of natural resources and environmental science knowledge to Māori entities and communities, leading Te Kūwaha and working across NIWA sta to achieve this. His tribal affiliations are Ngāi Tūhoe, and he comes from Ruatahuna, a small settlement in Te Urewera.
Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Pikiao, Te Whānau ā Apanui
Scientist - Māori Environmental Research (Te Kūwaha)
Erica started at NIWA in 1995. After completing a MSc (University of Waikato) developing a blue mussel embryo-larval toxicity test, she spent a number of years in the NIWA freshwater fisheries team. Here she gained skills in fish population studies, the downstream migration adult eels and fish passage through culverts. Her PhD (University of Auckland) investigated the effects of a group of contaminants called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on shellfish. She is currently working on a wide range of projects spanning both the marine and freshwater environments within the National Centre of Māori Environmental Research.
Ngāti Raukawa
Environmental Scientist
Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Whakahemo
Pou Hononga - Maori & the Marine Environment
Kura joined NIWA in 2017 and is located at the Hamilton NIWA campus. She is an experienced marine researcher, dive instructor, award winning iwi environmental manager and former senior environmental lecturer. Kura specialises in implementing mātauranga Māori with bio-physical science, policy development and restoration directives for marine taonga species in coastal reef systems and estuarine/harbour environments. Kura has conducted numerous marine research projects with hapū and iwi. All her research findings, recommendations and action management plans have been used to assist Māori and government decision-makers towards the wise use, care and management of marine taonga species and their associated environs.
Ngāti Koata, Tainui-a-whiro, Ngāti Porou
Environmental Research/Science Communication
Darcel Rickard is an early career researcher who joined NIWA in February 2016 in a hybrid science communication/environmental researcher role. Darcel has a background in environmental monitoring and management, however her real passion lies in the communication and engagement of rangatahi, whanau and hapu in science. Darcel leads the science communication and outreach programme for NIWAs National Centre of Māori Environmental Research (Te Kūwaha) within which NIWA aims to promote the science impact and value-add capabilities of the research that our Māori researchers do with hapu, iwi and Maori communities throughout Aotearoa. The programme also looks to increasing Māori science capacity and capability with whanau, hapu and Māori communities.
Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau-a- Apanui
Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader
Andre has joined NIWA from Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
The Pou Ārahi role is to build and strengthen our relationships with hapū, iwi, and Māori communities to respond to their research priorities and aspirations. Andre’s approach to codevelopment of projects ensures Māori voice is heard and aspirations are embedded.
Taranaki, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Rangi, Te Taou
Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader
Lee recently worked for Taranaki Whānui ki te Upoko o Te Ika (Port Nicholson Block) as Kaiwhakahaere Taiao me Tono – Manager, Environmental and Cultural Services. Her Pou Ārahi role is charged with guiding staff to work collaboratively with Māori that creates, implements and delivers on best practice. Nā te mahi tahi, waiho ma te tangata e mihi!
Tainui
Pou Ārahi – Māori Development Leader
Niketi is a whanau, hapū and iwi engagement specialist. He has over 27 years of experience in iwi consultation and designing and managing iwi engagement. In his role as a Pou Ārahi he looks to facilitate strong working relationships between whanau, hapū and iwi and NIWA.
