He korowai o Matainaka / The cloak of Matainaka: Traditional ecological knowledge in climate change adaptation - Te Wai Pounamu, New Zealand

In the New Zealand landscape, the mahika kai sites (resource gathering areas) are marked through place names, which act as central reference points (whai take) for a wider ecosystem catchment area and indicate changes over time. The traditional ecological knowledge, awakened through place names, informs and influences the way Maori realise cultural, social, environmental, and economic aspirations and practices (past and present). This paper will draw from a research project in Te Wai Pounamu (South Island), New Zealand that utilises traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) surrounding the place name, Matainaka, which indicate places where Kai Tahu (South Island Maori tribal group) gathered whitebait (inaka, Galaxias maculatus): an important fresh water species. A major focus of the research project is the knowledge around socio-cultural tipping points that will impact directly on the future cultural, social and economic sustainability within a specific catchment location, the Waikouaiti River. The river has spawning and fishing sites for the inaka mahika kai and comes under the mana whenua (recognised traditional authority) of the Maori tribal group, Kati Huirapa Runaka ki Puketeraki. Traditional ecological knowledge korero (speech) explains the importance of Matainaka and its contribution to the surrounding catchment area, and - in contemporary times - works alongside that of scientific knowledge. The project merged TEK and science to find ways to improve future planning and adaptation for habitat restoration and modification, and to lessen impacts on inaka spawning sites from the expected impacts of climate change.