Whakamanahia Te mtauranga o te Maori: empowering Maori knowledge to support Aotearoa's aquatic biological heritage

As Aotearoa New Zealand grapples with developing solutions to complex issues surrounding its unique freshwater and marine biological heritage, there is a growing recognition that mtauranga Maori can be unlocked' and used with great effect alongside western science. Examples where appropriate consideration and development of robust methodologies for the application of mtauranga Maori coexisting alongside western science are increasing. Unfortunately, despite the benefits that can be derived from this collaboration, the quality of engagement is not always satisfactory often due to poor interpersonal relationships and misidentification of the knowledge holders. By providing an appropriately historical context, this article is able to consider the critical issues now facing mtauranga and the Maori knowledge holders today, and fundamental requirements that will empower application of this knowledge within bio-heritage management. We consider how the development of a methodology between mtauranga Maori holders and potential end-users might contribute to improved outcomes for Aotearoa's biological heritage. TUHINGA-WHAKARAPOPOTOI a Aotearoa ka taukumekume me pehea te utu i ng pehitanga maha e p mai ana ki t ttou taiao me na taonga koi ora-taonga tuku iho, ka piki ake te tautoko m te whakaaro kei r tonu i t ttou mtauranga Maori he utu hai hngai p atu ki er painga a te ptaiao Pkeh. Kua ngaringari ake ng tauira pai e whakaatu mai i ng tukanga tika kia nohotahi ai enei mtauranga e rua hai whakaputa huanga papai. Ahatia ng painga o te nohotahi o te mtauranga Maori me te mtauranga Pkeh, kei raro tonu te taha Maori e putu ana. N te kare o te whanaungatanga ki waenganui i te taha Maori me te taha Pkeh, me te ngoikore hoki o te tautohutanga i ng waka huia o te mtauranga Maori, i penei ai tenei putanga aukati. M te titiro whakamua ka hei tenei tuhinga ki te ta krerohia ng pehitanga nui whakaharahara i kitea i enei r e whakaaweawetia mai ana ki ttou mtauranga Maori me ng kaipupuri o te mtauranga Maori ktahi, krua, ka krerohia ng mea e whakamana ana e whakamahia ana a ttou mtauranga Maori hai tiaki i a ttou taonga koiora-taonga tuku iho. Ka krero mtou m ng rangahau mai i te NZ Biological Heritage National Science Challenge me tna arotahinga ki te mahitahi, ki te whakat tikanga ki waenganui i ng mea Maori e pupuri ana ki te mtauranga me ng mea e whiwhia e whakamahia tenei mtauranga hai whakatau huhua pai m ng taonga koiora-taonga tuku iho puta noa i Aotearoa whnui.