title: Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – A Māori framework for coastal climate change adaptation

authors: Bailey-Winiata, Akuhata

subjects: Climate Change Adaptation

abstract: Current climate change adaptation frameworks do not sufficiently represent or acknowledge the intricacies and complex nature of climate adaptation for all communities. This thesis contributes a Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ)) climate adaptation framework that is informed by Te Ao Māori world views, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and research at the interface of Western knowledge and mātauranga Māori. This is needed to promote a more equitable and culturally sensitive approach to the current climate change adaptation process for hapū (sub-tribes) and iwi (tribes). To achieve this, this thesis is rooted in the whakataukī (proverb) “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past”, which exemplifies the power of acknowledging Māori history and intergenerational knowledge, while moving forward to a prosperous future. This thesis had four key aims. First, I looked to the past to understand ways Māori ancestors adapted and relocated in response to natural hazards to inform a future climate adaptation or relocation process. Second, I took stock of the contemporary risk to coastal marae (Māori meeting grounds) from sea level rise. Third, I looked internationally at other Indigenous communities' adaptation challenges and how they have overcome them as a mutual learning opportunity. And finally, I developed a conceptual Māori climate adaptation framework based on existing models and informed by a wānanga (workshop) with over 100 Māori participants. This two-part framework emphasises the importance of fostering Te Tiriti-centric relationships and partnerships that are essential for climate adaptation with hapū and iwi. In addition, it serves as a guide to support adaptation decision-making for hapū and iwi Māori. This thesis took a multidisciplinary approach to achieve these aims, incorporating historical and archival analyses, semi-structured interviews, a systematic review, coastal flooding and exposure analyses using spatial information, and wānanga. The findings highlighted that relocation due to natural hazards is not uncommon for Māori, as this thesis identified 51 examples of where relocation was completed or discussed in response to natural hazards. Furthermore, in a case study with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi, this thesis identified vital aspects that enabled their relocation following the 1886 Tarawera eruption, the most influential being tuku whenua – the gifting of land to relocate to. This thesis also identified that by 2150, under shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) 5-8.5, 27% and 28% of coastal marae (total of 186 nationally) are exposed to a 100–year and 1000–year annual recurrence interval (ARI) extreme sea level events, respectively. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the requirements to support hapū and iwi Māori in climate adaptation, with parallels to other Indigenous communities. Requirements include resourcing, partnerships, autonomy, intergenerational planning, recognition, respect and redress. In Chapter 8 – the discussion of this thesis, we focus on four overall contributions this thesis has made, which are: 1) Hapū and iwi Māori are at risk of climate change, 2) We’ve done it before we can do it again, 3) Adaptation approach cannot be one-size-fits-all, and 4) Adaptation in Aotearoa needs a Te Tiriti-centric approach. Ultimately, this thesis underscores the urgent need for inclusive climate adaptation strategies that honour Indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring that hapū and iwi Māori are not only heard but are actively supported in navigating the impacts of climate change.

text: Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – A Māori framework for coastal climate change adaptation Current climate change adaptation frameworks do not sufficiently represent or acknowledge the intricacies and complex nature of climate adaptation for all communities. This thesis contributes a Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (A-NZ)) climate adaptation framework that is informed by Te Ao Māori world views, mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) and research at the interface of Western knowledge and mātauranga Māori. This is needed to promote a more equitable and culturally sensitive approach to the current climate change adaptation process for hapū (sub-tribes) and iwi (tribes). To achieve this, this thesis is rooted in the whakataukī (proverb) “Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua – I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past”, which exemplifies the power of acknowledging Māori history and intergenerational knowledge, while moving forward to a prosperous future. This thesis had four key aims. First, I looked to the past to understand ways Māori ancestors adapted and relocated in response to natural hazards to inform a future climate adaptation or relocation process. Second, I took stock of the contemporary risk to coastal marae (Māori meeting grounds) from sea level rise. Third, I looked internationally at other Indigenous communities' adaptation challenges and how they have overcome them as a mutual learning opportunity. And finally, I developed a conceptual Māori climate adaptation framework based on existing models and informed by a wānanga (workshop) with over 100 Māori participants. This two-part framework emphasises the importance of fostering Te Tiriti-centric relationships and partnerships that are essential for climate adaptation with hapū and iwi. In addition, it serves as a guide to support adaptation decision-making for hapū and iwi Māori. This thesis took a multidisciplinary approach to achieve these aims, incorporating historical and archival analyses, semi-structured interviews, a systematic review, coastal flooding and exposure analyses using spatial information, and wānanga. The findings highlighted that relocation due to natural hazards is not uncommon for Māori, as this thesis identified 51 examples of where relocation was completed or discussed in response to natural hazards. Furthermore, in a case study with Tūhourangi and Ngāti Rangitihi, this thesis identified vital aspects that enabled their relocation following the 1886 Tarawera eruption, the most influential being tuku whenua – the gifting of land to relocate to. This thesis also identified that by 2150, under shared socio-economic pathway (SSP) 5-8.5, 27% and 28% of coastal marae (total of 186 nationally) are exposed to a 100–year and 1000–year annual recurrence interval (ARI) extreme sea level events, respectively. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the requirements to support hapū and iwi Māori in climate adaptation, with parallels to other Indigenous communities. Requirements include resourcing, partnerships, autonomy, intergenerational planning, recognition, respect and redress. In Chapter 8 – the discussion of this thesis, we focus on four overall contributions this thesis has made, which are: 1) Hapū and iwi Māori are at risk of climate change, 2) We’ve done it before we can do it again, 3) Adaptation approach cannot be one-size-fits-all, and 4) Adaptation in Aotearoa needs a Te Tiriti-centric approach. Ultimately, this thesis underscores the urgent need for inclusive climate adaptation strategies that honour Indigenous knowledge systems, ensuring that hapū and iwi Māori are not only heard but are actively supported in navigating the impacts of climate change.

year: 2024-05-28

title: The issues of the criminal justice system and of resources in Aotearoa/New Zealand

authors: Toki, Valmaine

abstract: Within the seven regions, recognized by the United Nations, various jurisdictions have acknowledged Indigenous rights within their respective constitutions. Although not explicit, some constitutional provisions, such as those included in the Norwegian Constitution, when read together with other articles, provide tentative opportunities for the implementation of an Indigenous legal system and an Indigenous court. Some Constitutions, such as that of Ecuador, are more explicit in providing constitutional recognition of an Indigenous legal system as well as rights to nature and, the interim Constitution of Nepal, courts for Indigenous Peoples.

text: The issues of the criminal justice system and of resources in Aotearoa/New Zealand Within the seven regions, recognized by the United Nations, various jurisdictions have acknowledged Indigenous rights within their respective constitutions. Although not explicit, some constitutional provisions, such as those included in the Norwegian Constitution, when read together with other articles, provide tentative opportunities for the implementation of an Indigenous legal system and an Indigenous court. Some Constitutions, such as that of Ecuador, are more explicit in providing constitutional recognition of an Indigenous legal system as well as rights to nature and, the interim Constitution of Nepal, courts for Indigenous Peoples.

year: 2014

title: Comparing competitive interactions and settlement success among native and non-indigenous species in marine hard bottom communities of colonial ascidians, from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

authors: Reiter, Yanika Te paea

subjects: competition

abstract: The requirement for space in marine hard bottom assemblages is paramount for life. Due to the crowded nature and demand for space in these sessile assemblages, bare space that is freed is quickly occupied. The intense push and pull for space within these assemblages is represented by heavy overgrowth interactions. These competitive interactions often result in the displacement of native species and the formation of competitive hierarchies amongst species, with some individuals settling as epibionts and causing the mortality or stress of those beneath them.
Ascidian invasions have become more frequently reported on a global scale, becoming an emerging issue on many coastlines. Colonial ascidians (the key phylogenetic class of this study) and their ability to dominate and occupy vast amounts of space, has landed them their reputation as notorious marine invaders. With urbanization comes the general increase in anthropogenic activity, which in turn has been known to coincide with the increase in the translocations of nonindigenous species. Vectors such as interoceanic trade and travel have contributed heavily to the spread of nonindigenous ascidians, allowing them to overcome geographic barriers. Unmanaged populations of nonindigenous colonial ascidians heavily foul much of the submerged substrate in the Tauranga Harbour, threatening the biodiversity, population structure and function of native communities as well as fouling of marina and port substrates (wharves, pylons, ropes, boat hulls). 
The framework of this research infers that the competitive abilities of non-indigenous colonial ascidians through their rapid occupation of substrate is a key determinant in their invasion success. Ex-situ manipulative experiments were used to examine potential competition (epibiotic or bare space settlement) recruiting species may have on nonindigenous and native ascidians. Simultaneously, we examined if the status (nonindigenous or native) of the test species impacted the settlement of the nonindigenous and native recruiting species. Few studies have attempted the novel process of rearing ascidian cultures ex-situ, where manipulation and control can be maximized. We attempted to develop a robust ascidian culture system to better study ascidian species.
The lines of evidence provided by these experiments revealed that nonindigenous colonial ascidians are often opportunistic settlers and can largely determine the dynamics of native sessile communities, as they settled the most as both epibionts and bare space recruits on the experimental plates in this study. 
Experimental results found most recruits to prefer settling on bare substrate than on the surfaces of other organisms, supportive of the concept that surface microtopography and secondary metabolite release may play a role in recruit settlement.
Findings bring focus to the unrivalled ability of nonindigenous species to exert settlement pressures on existing sessile communities, illustrated by their competitive power. Introduced species’ ability to settle heavily as both basibionts and epibionts allows them to litter submerged substrates with larvae, illustrative of high propagule pressures found in this study. Experimental results offer managers to better utilise biosecurity management resources when dealing with nonindigenous incursions in the future.

text: Comparing competitive interactions and settlement success among native and non-indigenous species in marine hard bottom communities of colonial ascidians, from the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand The requirement for space in marine hard bottom assemblages is paramount for life. Due to the crowded nature and demand for space in these sessile assemblages, bare space that is freed is quickly occupied. The intense push and pull for space within these assemblages is represented by heavy overgrowth interactions. These competitive interactions often result in the displacement of native species and the formation of competitive hierarchies amongst species, with some individuals settling as epibionts and causing the mortality or stress of those beneath them.
Ascidian invasions have become more frequently reported on a global scale, becoming an emerging issue on many coastlines. Colonial ascidians (the key phylogenetic class of this study) and their ability to dominate and occupy vast amounts of space, has landed them their reputation as notorious marine invaders. With urbanization comes the general increase in anthropogenic activity, which in turn has been known to coincide with the increase in the translocations of nonindigenous species. Vectors such as interoceanic trade and travel have contributed heavily to the spread of nonindigenous ascidians, allowing them to overcome geographic barriers. Unmanaged populations of nonindigenous colonial ascidians heavily foul much of the submerged substrate in the Tauranga Harbour, threatening the biodiversity, population structure and function of native communities as well as fouling of marina and port substrates (wharves, pylons, ropes, boat hulls). 
The framework of this research infers that the competitive abilities of non-indigenous colonial ascidians through their rapid occupation of substrate is a key determinant in their invasion success. Ex-situ manipulative experiments were used to examine potential competition (epibiotic or bare space settlement) recruiting species may have on nonindigenous and native ascidians. Simultaneously, we examined if the status (nonindigenous or native) of the test species impacted the settlement of the nonindigenous and native recruiting species. Few studies have attempted the novel process of rearing ascidian cultures ex-situ, where manipulation and control can be maximized. We attempted to develop a robust ascidian culture system to better study ascidian species.
The lines of evidence provided by these experiments revealed that nonindigenous colonial ascidians are often opportunistic settlers and can largely determine the dynamics of native sessile communities, as they settled the most as both epibionts and bare space recruits on the experimental plates in this study. 
Experimental results found most recruits to prefer settling on bare substrate than on the surfaces of other organisms, supportive of the concept that surface microtopography and secondary metabolite release may play a role in recruit settlement.
Findings bring focus to the unrivalled ability of nonindigenous species to exert settlement pressures on existing sessile communities, illustrated by their competitive power. Introduced species’ ability to settle heavily as both basibionts and epibionts allows them to litter submerged substrates with larvae, illustrative of high propagule pressures found in this study. Experimental results offer managers to better utilise biosecurity management resources when dealing with nonindigenous incursions in the future.

year: 2020