title: He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka: Navigating a changing climate: A waka voyaging perspective

authors: McDonald, Rangihurihia Ann

subjects: Pacific voyaging

abstract: Human-induced climate change is threatening the ocean, natural ecosystems, and the global human population. Some groups, including Māori in Aotearoa, and Indigenous communities globally, will be disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change. The current national and international governmental climate change responses underrepresent Indigenous peoples, issues, and knowledge. This thesis aims to contribute to the body of literature that documents Māori understandings, perspectives, and worldviews in relation to climate change. This work was guided by two inter-related questions. Firstly, what are the impacts of climate change on waka voyaging? Secondly, how can we draw on mātauranga (Māori knowledge) to respond to human-induced climate change?

Specifically, the research addresses gaps in the scholarly literature that has yet to consider the unique contributions of waka voyaging practitioners to the climate change conversation. This work seeks to better understand the wide-ranging effects of human-induced climate change on Māori communities, knowledge, and culture, through an investigation of the impacts on waka voyaging. Furthermore, it considers how mātauranga whakatere waka (Māori understandings of Pacific voyaging knowledge) can contribute to climate change responses today and into the future. 

Guided by a Pūrākau and Kaupapa Māori research approach, I undertook a large-scale literature review and conducted seven in-depth semi-structured one-to-one interviews with Māori voyagers trained in traditional Pacific non-instrument ocean navigation. I analysed the data using a theoretical thematic analysis. 

Key findings suggest that waka voyaging is highly sensitive to changes in weather and climate.  Historical climatic and environmental change, as well as human-induced ecological change, have both promoted and discouraged Pacific voyaging in the past. In Aotearoa, the decline of voyaging after Polynesian settlement led to the dormancy of a significant body of ancestral knowledge, which Māori are continuing to recover. Key impacts of human-induced climate change include the exacerbation of adverse weather for voyaging, limiting the annual window of opportunity to voyage and spatial ranges of voyages. Another key impact is the decline of marine species used in non-instrument navigation due to a range of human activities, including human-induced climate change.  

Ultimately, this research finds that human-induced climate change was caused by a widespread human disconnection and subsequent domination of the environment. Research participants, Indigenous peoples, scholars, and civil society, advocate for a reconnection and global paradigm shift. Findings of this study indicate that mātauranga Māori provides a valuable framework for such a paradigm shift guided by the principles of whanaungatanga (connectedness, relationship, kinship) and kaitiakitanga (reciprocal acts of guardianship). 

Amidst rapid human-induced climate change, waka voyaging communities in Aotearoa and the Pacific are among the many Indigenous peoples globally, taking climate action, educating youth, raising awareness, advocating for ocean health, protecting natural environments, and maintaining traditional knowledge and practices on waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) which are themselves sustainable methods of ocean transportation.  

This thesis highlights the need for more research centring mātauranga Māori, recommends genuine partnerships between the government and Māori, and the resourcing of Māori communities themselves to be self-determining around climate change.

text: He moana pukepuke e ekengia e te waka: Navigating a changing climate: A waka voyaging perspective Human-induced climate change is threatening the ocean, natural ecosystems, and the global human population. Some groups, including Māori in Aotearoa, and Indigenous communities globally, will be disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of climate change. The current national and international governmental climate change responses underrepresent Indigenous peoples, issues, and knowledge. This thesis aims to contribute to the body of literature that documents Māori understandings, perspectives, and worldviews in relation to climate change. This work was guided by two inter-related questions. Firstly, what are the impacts of climate change on waka voyaging? Secondly, how can we draw on mātauranga (Māori knowledge) to respond to human-induced climate change?

Specifically, the research addresses gaps in the scholarly literature that has yet to consider the unique contributions of waka voyaging practitioners to the climate change conversation. This work seeks to better understand the wide-ranging effects of human-induced climate change on Māori communities, knowledge, and culture, through an investigation of the impacts on waka voyaging. Furthermore, it considers how mātauranga whakatere waka (Māori understandings of Pacific voyaging knowledge) can contribute to climate change responses today and into the future. 

Guided by a Pūrākau and Kaupapa Māori research approach, I undertook a large-scale literature review and conducted seven in-depth semi-structured one-to-one interviews with Māori voyagers trained in traditional Pacific non-instrument ocean navigation. I analysed the data using a theoretical thematic analysis. 

Key findings suggest that waka voyaging is highly sensitive to changes in weather and climate.  Historical climatic and environmental change, as well as human-induced ecological change, have both promoted and discouraged Pacific voyaging in the past. In Aotearoa, the decline of voyaging after Polynesian settlement led to the dormancy of a significant body of ancestral knowledge, which Māori are continuing to recover. Key impacts of human-induced climate change include the exacerbation of adverse weather for voyaging, limiting the annual window of opportunity to voyage and spatial ranges of voyages. Another key impact is the decline of marine species used in non-instrument navigation due to a range of human activities, including human-induced climate change.  

Ultimately, this research finds that human-induced climate change was caused by a widespread human disconnection and subsequent domination of the environment. Research participants, Indigenous peoples, scholars, and civil society, advocate for a reconnection and global paradigm shift. Findings of this study indicate that mātauranga Māori provides a valuable framework for such a paradigm shift guided by the principles of whanaungatanga (connectedness, relationship, kinship) and kaitiakitanga (reciprocal acts of guardianship). 

Amidst rapid human-induced climate change, waka voyaging communities in Aotearoa and the Pacific are among the many Indigenous peoples globally, taking climate action, educating youth, raising awareness, advocating for ocean health, protecting natural environments, and maintaining traditional knowledge and practices on waka hourua (double-hulled voyaging canoes) which are themselves sustainable methods of ocean transportation.  

This thesis highlights the need for more research centring mātauranga Māori, recommends genuine partnerships between the government and Māori, and the resourcing of Māori communities themselves to be self-determining around climate change.

year: 2022

title: Implementation framework for chronic disease intervention effectiveness in Maori and other indigenous communities

authors: Oetzel, John G.

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Background: About 40% of all health burden in New Zealand is due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes/obesity. Outcomes for Māori (indigenous people) are significantly worse than non-Maori; these inequities mirror those found in indigenous communities elsewhere. Evidence-based interventions with established efficacy may not be effective in indigenous communities without addressing specific implementation challenges. We present an implementation framework for interventions to prevent and treat chronic conditions for Māori and other indigenous communities.
Theoretical framework: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework has indigenous self-determination at its core and consists of four elements: cultural-centeredness, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation. All elements have conceptual fit with Kaupapa Māori aspirations (i.e., indigenous knowledge creation, theorizing, and methodology) and all have demonstrated evidence of positive implementation outcomes.
Applying the framework: A coding scheme derived from the Framework was applied to 13 studies of diabetes prevention in indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States from a systematic review. Cross-tabulations demonstrated that culture-centeredness (p = .008) and community engagement (p = .009) explained differences in diabetes outcomes and community engagement (p = .098) explained difference in blood pressure outcomes.
Implications and conclusions: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework appears to be well suited to advance implementation science for indigenous communities in general and Māori in particular. The framework has promise as a policy and planning tool to evaluate and design effective interventions for chronic disease prevention in indigenous communities.

text: Implementation framework for chronic disease intervention effectiveness in Maori and other indigenous communities Background: About 40% of all health burden in New Zealand is due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes/obesity. Outcomes for Māori (indigenous people) are significantly worse than non-Maori; these inequities mirror those found in indigenous communities elsewhere. Evidence-based interventions with established efficacy may not be effective in indigenous communities without addressing specific implementation challenges. We present an implementation framework for interventions to prevent and treat chronic conditions for Māori and other indigenous communities.
Theoretical framework: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework has indigenous self-determination at its core and consists of four elements: cultural-centeredness, community engagement, systems thinking, and integrated knowledge translation. All elements have conceptual fit with Kaupapa Māori aspirations (i.e., indigenous knowledge creation, theorizing, and methodology) and all have demonstrated evidence of positive implementation outcomes.
Applying the framework: A coding scheme derived from the Framework was applied to 13 studies of diabetes prevention in indigenous communities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States from a systematic review. Cross-tabulations demonstrated that culture-centeredness (p = .008) and community engagement (p = .009) explained differences in diabetes outcomes and community engagement (p = .098) explained difference in blood pressure outcomes.
Implications and conclusions: The He Pikinga Waiora Implementation Framework appears to be well suited to advance implementation science for indigenous communities in general and Māori in particular. The framework has promise as a policy and planning tool to evaluate and design effective interventions for chronic disease prevention in indigenous communities.

year: 2017

title: Modelling the impact of sewage reticulation in the Lake Tarawera catchment

authors: Dada, Ayokunle Christopher

abstract: In order to inform efforts being considered for the management of catchment sources of nutrient pollution into Lake Tarawera, a study was commissioned by the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association. This study, conducted by the University of Waikato, was specifically to assess the potential impacts of sewage reticulation on lake water quality.
Analyses of available data indicate that Lake Tarawera is regionally unique in that the majority of its phosphorus (P) load and a substantial portion of its nitrogen (N) load appear to be derived from a combination of ‘tributary’ lakes and geothermal sources. This may help explain the relatively high P concentrations and low N: P ratio in the lake. Waste water from septic systems contribute 3.3% (2.9t N y⁻¹) of the total N load and 2.7% (0.29 t P y⁻¹) of the total P load to Lake Tarawera This source of nutrients represents approximately 15% of the ‘manageable’ load from land use in the surface catchment. Mass balance models are often used to estimate catchment external load corresponding to desired in-lake nutrient concentrations or trophic state (assuming internal loading is negligible). In this study we adopted a reverse approach, using mass balance models to estimate the response of in-lake concentrations to changes in external load (namely, with and without sewage reticulation). Retention of phosphorus was estimated using the method of Vollenweider (1976) and retention of nitrogen was estimated after Harrison et al. (2009), with external load retention coefficients¹ of 0.73 and 0.72 for P and N, respectively.
Improperly treated domestic sewage from lakeside properties may contain pathogens including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths (intestinal worms and worm-like parasites). Historical measurements of E.coli concentrations from tap water samples collected from a number of sites around the lake between 1991 and 2015 were thus analysed, as many residential properties draw water directly from the lake and/or from closely linked groundwater. Given that microbiological noncompliance of drinking water samples was prevalent at most (6 out of 10) of the sampling locations considered in this analysis, authorities may need to look into more frequent testing and to reduce potential sources of faecal contamination within the catchment, including failed septic tanks, to improve public safety. In light of the current study, wastewater reticulation could make a significant contribution to mitigating public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems.
From a public health perspective, this study also highlights the need for efforts aimed at investigating and curbing potential sources of faecal contamination of drinking water sources within the catchment. This could include the commissioning of a microbial source tracking study that uses appropriate genetic markers to discriminate among the possible sources of faecal pollution within tap water used for domestic purposes in the Lake Tarawera catchment. These efforts ideally would be put in place before and after the execution of any sewage management intervention to initially establish the extent of human faecal contamination from faulty septic tanks and ultimately, to confirm that the sewage management efforts put in place are effective.
As part of Lake Tarawera water quality management plan, a wastewater reticulation system will reduce nutrient loading by 3 to 5%. Modelling of the reticulation of wastewater nutrient loads revealed that the impact on lake water nutrient concentrations is minor, as wastewater represents a small component of overall N and P loads to Lake Tarawera. Nevertheless, much of the load to the lake is from sources that are difficult to mitigate (e.g. geothermal, other lakes). Further, time lags in response of the nutrient loads to the lake may be lower due to the proximity of current wastewater inputs to the lake shore (as opposed to diffuse inputs from land use on the upper reaches of the catchment). Therefore, implementation of a reticulated sewage system as part of an overall plan to reduce loading of P and N into Lake Tarawera may be a desirable management initiative as it could make a contribution to improving manageable sources of nutrients from the lake catchment. In addition, a reticulated sewage system will reduce public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems. From a public health perspective, efforts such as further intensive sampling for faecal coliforms in drinking water, as well as the commissioning of microbial source tracking studies to identify faulty septic tanks is recommended. These investigations will also provide information on the performance of sewage management efforts (and optimisation) to reduce the discharge of pathogenic contaminants into the lake. This report has not made recommendations on the costs or value for money that sewage reticulation would entail. These considerations will be essential to complement our environmental investigation and underpin considerations of a reticulated sewage system for Lake Tarawera.

text: Modelling the impact of sewage reticulation in the Lake Tarawera catchment In order to inform efforts being considered for the management of catchment sources of nutrient pollution into Lake Tarawera, a study was commissioned by the Lake Tarawera Ratepayers Association. This study, conducted by the University of Waikato, was specifically to assess the potential impacts of sewage reticulation on lake water quality.
Analyses of available data indicate that Lake Tarawera is regionally unique in that the majority of its phosphorus (P) load and a substantial portion of its nitrogen (N) load appear to be derived from a combination of ‘tributary’ lakes and geothermal sources. This may help explain the relatively high P concentrations and low N: P ratio in the lake. Waste water from septic systems contribute 3.3% (2.9t N y⁻¹) of the total N load and 2.7% (0.29 t P y⁻¹) of the total P load to Lake Tarawera This source of nutrients represents approximately 15% of the ‘manageable’ load from land use in the surface catchment. Mass balance models are often used to estimate catchment external load corresponding to desired in-lake nutrient concentrations or trophic state (assuming internal loading is negligible). In this study we adopted a reverse approach, using mass balance models to estimate the response of in-lake concentrations to changes in external load (namely, with and without sewage reticulation). Retention of phosphorus was estimated using the method of Vollenweider (1976) and retention of nitrogen was estimated after Harrison et al. (2009), with external load retention coefficients¹ of 0.73 and 0.72 for P and N, respectively.
Improperly treated domestic sewage from lakeside properties may contain pathogens including bacteria, viruses, protozoa and helminths (intestinal worms and worm-like parasites). Historical measurements of E.coli concentrations from tap water samples collected from a number of sites around the lake between 1991 and 2015 were thus analysed, as many residential properties draw water directly from the lake and/or from closely linked groundwater. Given that microbiological noncompliance of drinking water samples was prevalent at most (6 out of 10) of the sampling locations considered in this analysis, authorities may need to look into more frequent testing and to reduce potential sources of faecal contamination within the catchment, including failed septic tanks, to improve public safety. In light of the current study, wastewater reticulation could make a significant contribution to mitigating public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems.
From a public health perspective, this study also highlights the need for efforts aimed at investigating and curbing potential sources of faecal contamination of drinking water sources within the catchment. This could include the commissioning of a microbial source tracking study that uses appropriate genetic markers to discriminate among the possible sources of faecal pollution within tap water used for domestic purposes in the Lake Tarawera catchment. These efforts ideally would be put in place before and after the execution of any sewage management intervention to initially establish the extent of human faecal contamination from faulty septic tanks and ultimately, to confirm that the sewage management efforts put in place are effective.
As part of Lake Tarawera water quality management plan, a wastewater reticulation system will reduce nutrient loading by 3 to 5%. Modelling of the reticulation of wastewater nutrient loads revealed that the impact on lake water nutrient concentrations is minor, as wastewater represents a small component of overall N and P loads to Lake Tarawera. Nevertheless, much of the load to the lake is from sources that are difficult to mitigate (e.g. geothermal, other lakes). Further, time lags in response of the nutrient loads to the lake may be lower due to the proximity of current wastewater inputs to the lake shore (as opposed to diffuse inputs from land use on the upper reaches of the catchment). Therefore, implementation of a reticulated sewage system as part of an overall plan to reduce loading of P and N into Lake Tarawera may be a desirable management initiative as it could make a contribution to improving manageable sources of nutrients from the lake catchment. In addition, a reticulated sewage system will reduce public health risks associated with poorly performing on-site treatment systems. From a public health perspective, efforts such as further intensive sampling for faecal coliforms in drinking water, as well as the commissioning of microbial source tracking studies to identify faulty septic tanks is recommended. These investigations will also provide information on the performance of sewage management efforts (and optimisation) to reduce the discharge of pathogenic contaminants into the lake. This report has not made recommendations on the costs or value for money that sewage reticulation would entail. These considerations will be essential to complement our environmental investigation and underpin considerations of a reticulated sewage system for Lake Tarawera.

year: 2016