Guide to the Mātauranga Framework

Guide to the mātauranga framework guide mātauranga This is a guide to help you use the mātauranga Guide to the framework (the framework) as a tool to understand, test and probe mātauranga when it is mātauranga presented as evidence. The first part of the guide provides context to the framework, including: framework • a range of descriptions of mātauranga • explanations of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) principles and He Whetū Mārama • legal context • the EPA’s statutory frameworks • mātauranga evidence • an overview of Māori cultural concepts, values and practices. The second part of the guide helps you to use the framework itself, and includes suggestions about other questions you could consider to help you test and probe mātauranga evidence. Contents Context 03 01 What is mātauranga? 04 Te Tiriti principles and He Whetū Mārama 05 Outcomes for He Whetū Mārama 05 Legal context 06 EPA’s statutory frameworks 07 Mātauranga evidence 10 An overview of Māori cultural concepts, 14 values and practices Using the framework 18 02 He aha ngā hononga? 19 What is your connection? He aha ngā pānga 20 What are the impacts? He aha te mātauranga? 21 What is the mātauranga? He aha ngā whakangāwaritanga 22 What are the mitigations? Conflicting evidence 22 Glossary 23 References 25 Guide to the mātauranga framework | 02 Context 01 Mātauranga1 can be described as the pursuit of knowledge and comprehension of Te Taiao – the natural environment – following a systematic methodology based on evidence, and incorporating culture, values, and world view (Hikuroa 2017). What is mātauranga? “ Pūrākau [traditional Māori narratives] and maramataka [the Māori calendar] Mātauranga is defined by Sir Hirini Moko Mead as comprise codified knowledge and include Māori knowledge. He discusses mātauranga and a suite of techniques empirical in nature for its relationship to tikanga as follows: investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, and updating and integrating “ In point of fact tikanga Māori cannot previous knowledge. They can be both be understood without making use of accurate and precise, as they incorporate mātauranga Māori. All tikanga Māori are critically verified knowledge, continually firmly embedded in mātauranga Māori, tested and updated through time” (Hikuroa which might be seen as Māori philosophy 2018). as well as Māori knowledge. While mātauranga Māori might be carried in the Mātauranga pertains to universal phenomena of minds, tikanga Māori puts that knowledge life experienced by all living beings, not only to into practice and adds the aspects of knowledge specific to human beings. It makes correctness and ritual support. People no distinction beween the spiritual and material then see tikanga in action, and they do it, worlds, which are conceived of as constantly feel it, understand it, accept it and feel interacting with one another. empowered through experience. Tikanga Māori might be described as Māori “ Mātauranga…is essentially a system of philosophy in practice and as the practical knowledge and understanding about Māori face of Māori knowledge” (Mead 2016). beliefs relating to creation, the phases of creation and the relationship between Mātauranga has its own unique characteristics atua (supernatural guardians), and tangata which are as valid as, but different from, other (mankind). This relationship or whakapapa knowledge systems, including science. However, (genealogy) determines the way people some disregard mātauranga, because they behave in the context of their environmental perceive it as “myth and legend, fantastic and ethnical practices” (EPA 2016). implausible”. In fact, mātauranga includes knowledge generated using techniques Mātauranga has a strong oral tradition – it is consistent with a scientific approach, but which transmitted in a variety of forms, including are explained according to a Māori world view whakapapa, waiata, haka, whakataukī, (Hikuroa 2017). pūrākau, kōrero tuku iho, and whakairo. Whakapapa is a central principle that In an article entitled Mātauranga Māori – the connects and orders the universe, linking ūkaipō of knowledge in New Zealand, Dr Dan the physical and spiritual worlds, tracing the Hikuroa – a member of Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga universe back to its origins (Walker 1993). Taiao (Ngā Kaihautū), and senior lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Auckland – Mātauranga embraces intergenerational puts it like this: continuity. Drawing on the knowledge of ancestors, it allows contributions to knowledge in the present to be passed on to descendants in the future. It can therefore be dynamic, regenerative, and capable of evolving to respond to modern day situations. 1 Ngā Parirau choose to drop “Māori” from “mātauranga Māori”, as it needs no qualifier. Guide to the mātauranga framework | 04 As landowners, kaitiaki, governors and managers Waka hourua of significant natural resources, Māori contribute a unique range of knowledge, skills, and The principle of partnership requires that the experience. The insights from mātauranga can EPA act reasonably, honourably and in good faith assist both robust, effective decision-making, to ensure the making of informed decisions on and a holistic approach to environmental matters affecting the interests of Māori. This is a management. shared obligation on both the EPA and Māori. While key principles and features of mātauranga In recognition of the principle of partnership, He are consistent between hapū and iwi, there are Whetū Mārama visibly sits alongside the EPA important regional and tribal differences. As strategy to guide the EPA. members of Ngā Parirau point out, kaumātua from one rohe would not speak about the Tiakitanga mātauranga from another rohe – mātauranga is, by its nature, local knowledge. This relationship is founded on the principle of active protection which requires the EPA Different hapū and iwi have developed their own to take positive steps to ensure that Māori maramataka, for example, drawing on centuries interests, knowledge, and experience are of observation, prediction, and testing of this valued in its decision-making and activities. knowledge. Maramataka is used to schedule This protection extends to Māori and their certain activities, such as planting and harvesting connection to the environment. kai, gathering kaimoana, or fishing, as well as important rituals or hui. Maramataka varies Whai wāhi among hapū and iwi, depending on factors such as local climate, flora and fauna. The principle of participation informs the development of EPA strategy, policy and process So while some examples of mātauranga are that enables the effective engagement and input specific to their locality, others may have national of Māori. application. Pito mata Te Tiriti principles and The EPA applies the principle of potential in our day to day work. This principle recognises that He Whetū Mārama EPA decision-making and activities have impacts on the direction for the future growth and He Whetū Mārama2 is the framework that development in a Māori cultural and economic guides the EPA in undertaking our statutory and setting. Often referred to as the ‘principle of other obligations to Māori. It is guided by four development’, it is an acknowledgement that principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti): Te Tiriti in its application, is able to adapt to meet • Waka hourua: Partnership new circumstances and create new opportunities. • Tiakitanga: Protection • Whai wāhi: Participation • Pito mata: Potential Outcomes for At the EPA we recognise the unique relationship He Whetū Mārama of Māori with the environment in Aotearoa New Zealand, their place as tāngata whenua – Collectively, these principles recognise the people of the land – and the important the potential between the EPA and role they play in New Zealand’s economic, Māori for active participation to provide environmental, social and cultural wellbeing. for partnership and protection. As land managers, owners, guardians, and governors of significant natural resources, The outcomes for He Whetū Mārama – Māori can contribute a range of knowledge, of which implementation of the framework skills and experience invaluable to environmental is a part – are informed decision-making decision-making. and productive relationships. Through the application of Te Tiriti principles, every decision the EPA makes has the potential to contribute towards a shared understanding of Te Tiriti. 2 A guiding constellation. Guide to the mātauranga framework | 05 Informed decision-making Relevant considerations EPA policy, process and decision-making is Sometimes an Act of Parliament spells out informed by Māori perspectives in a number exactly how a person must act or decide in a of ways: particular situation, and sometimes it confers a • cultural and Te Tiriti assessment of degree of discretion. Statutes concerned with applications and proposals environmental decision-making often allow a • Ngā Kaihautū advice and assessment of the relatively high degree of discretion by setting decision-making process generally, and for out a number of competing considerations for specific applications or proposals decision-makers to consider. • decision-maker and staff training and guidance to support the effective input of This reflects the nature of environmental Māori perspectives decision-making. There is sometimes a focus • operational policy, process and guidelines on future effects and impacts that have not that provide for the effective involvement yet occurred. This might involve a level of of Māori. judgement

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