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Kūkū te kererū, ketekete te kākā The role of literature in indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts at The University of Waikato by TE URUKEIHA RAHARUHI ______ 2015 -i- Abstract This thesis describes the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. The story of the role of academic literature in mātauranga Māori transmission presented in this thesis, describes a narrative of indigenous people being increasingly excluded from transmission of mātauranga Māori in literature production. Importantly the exclusion of original sources from participation in literature production and revision resulted in a high degree of persistent error in academic literature presenting oral narratives and te reo Māori bird names. Currently, te reo Māori names of native and introduced birds are represented in English language academic literature, as subject matter or topic of interest predominately within a scientific research paradigm, in the fields of linguistics, ornithology, ethnology or disciplines where these are combined such as ethno- ornithology or folk-taxonomy. Research inquiry conducted in this study is influenced by a potential to explore indigenous methods of naming in terms of what they reveal about our ways of being (ontology) and our ways of knowing (epistemology). This thesis presents two literature reviews and the findings of seven semi-structured interviews to explore the complexities of the role of academic literature in indigenous epistemology with a focus on indigenous methods of naming native and indigenous birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Exploring indigenous methods of naming in this way provides an opportunity to tease out the influence of translation, Western scientific paradigms and the medium of academic literature on the transmission of mātauranga Māori as well as identify opportunities and limitations for indigenous epistemology offered through the medium of academic literature. A comprehensive index of te reo Māori bird names with attention to the variety of linguistic nuances of geographically specific vernacular presented consistently in the context of indigenous methods of naming, potentially provides an accessible -ii- and meaningful taxonomic reference document. At the present time such an index has not been published. The findings of the research presented in this thesis support the potential of academic literature to meaningfully contribute to indigenous methods of naming when it records or facilitates direct participation of hapū in indigenous epistemology rather than predetermine or prematurely theorise indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand. Equally, it presents findings to support potential for academic literature to contribute to mātauranga Māori when it articulates indigenous epistemology as a valuable way of knowing and does not assume to replace memory arts as the primary methods of mātauranga Māori transmission. Furthermore, the application of an indigenous paradigm to the production of literature about indigenous methods of naming as an aspect of mātauranga Māori has the potential to constitute an accurate and authentic body of knowledge. Key words: indigenous epistemology; mātauranga Māori, whakapapa, indigenous methods of naming, genealogy, Kaupapa Māori research, ecology, Aotearoa New Zealand, literature, oral literature, oral tradition, ornithology. -iii- Acknowledgements First and foremost I would like to thank Dr. Hēmi Whaanga for offering me the opportunity to participate in research about indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand lead by Tom Roa, accompanied by Dr. Hēmi Whaanga and Dr. Paul Schofield (Canterbury Museum) at The School of Māori and Pacific Development of the University of Waikato and funded by Ngā Pae o Te Māramatanga. I am very fortunate to have been in a position to benefit from Dr. Whaanga’s generosity, dedication and expertise. I would also like to thank Hēmi’s whānau for their generosity and hospitality. Thanks to Associate Professor Rangi Mātāmua for his consistent support. I am sincerely grateful to all interview participants who selflessly contributed to this thesis; Mark Joseph Harawira, Paranoe Pirika, Norma Rapana Sturley, Ngāwhakawairangi Hohepa, Stormy Iharaira Hohepa, Michael Toka Kīngi, Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield. I would also like to acknowledge the support of the Central North Island branch of the Department of Conservation, Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Te Pūkenga Kōrero o Te Arawa, Te Reo Irirangi o Te Arawa, and Ngāti Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board. I am fortunate to be surrounded by friends and whānau here in Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia who express a genuine interested in my journey in completing this Masters thesis. I am forever grateful for your patience, enthusiasm and loving support. -iv- Contents Abstract _________________________________________________________ i Acknowledgements _______________________________________________ iii Contents ________________________________________________________ iv Chapter 1 _______________________________________________________ 7 1.1 General introduction _______________________________________ 7 1.2 Indigenous methods of naming native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand _____________________________________ 8 1.3 Literature relevant to indigenous methods of naming native and introduced bird to Aotearoa New Zealand _____________________ 10 1.4 Research questions _______________________________________ 12 1.5 Research methods ________________________________________ 13 1.6 Aims, scope and significance _______________________________ 15 1.7 Overview of thesis ________________________________________ 16 Chapter 2 ______________________________________________________ 18 The role of academic literature in the transmission of mātauranga Māori: An investigation ____________________________________________________ 18 2.1 Introduction _____________________________________________ 18 2.2 Te Rangikāheke’s contribution to the Grey Collection____________ 19 2.2.1 The reproduction of oral literature by Te Rangikāheke’ in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 _______________________________________ 24 2.2.2 The role of whakapapa in indigenous epistemology exemplified Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 _______________________________ 26 2.2.3 Whakapapa as indigenous method of naming exemplified in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 _______________________________ 29 2.2.4 The reproduction of oral literature by Te Rangikāheke in Nga mahi 32 2.2.5 The role of whakapapa in indigenous epistemology exemplified in Nga mahi _____________________________________________ 35 2.2.6 Whakapapa as indigenous method of naming in Nga mahi ______ 38 2.2.7 Translation of mātauranga Māori in Polynesian mythology ______ 39 2.3 Summary _______________________________________________ 42 -v- Chapter 3 ______________________________________________________ 44 Contemporary mātauranga Māori about native and introduced birds and literature_______________________________________________________ 44 3.1 Introduction _____________________________________________ 44 3.2 Research Methodology – Kaupapa Māori ______________________ 45 3.3 Ethics __________________________________________________ 48 3.4 Research participants and the interview process _________________ 48 3.4.1 Mark Joseph Harawira __________________________________ 49 3.4.2 Paraone Pirika _________________________________________ 50 3.4.3 Norma Rāpana Sturley __________________________________ 51 3.4.4 Stormy Iharaira Hohepa _________________________________ 51 3.4.5 Ngāwhakawairangi Hohepa ______________________________ 51 3.4.6 Michael Toka Kīngi ____________________________________ 52 3.4.7 Tūī Matira Ranapiri-Ransfield ____________________________ 52 3.5 Reporting the interviews ___________________________________ 52 3.5.1 Mātauranga Māori about native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand __________________________________________ 53 3.5.2 Developing mātauranga Māori ____________________________ 60 3.5.3 Delivering mātauranga Māori _____________________________ 68 3.5.4 The role of literature in mātauranga Māori content and informing indigenous epistemologies _______________________________ 73 3.6 Summary of interviews ____________________________________ 77 3.6.1 Mātauranga Māori of native and introduced birds to Aotearoa New Zealand ______________________________________________ 77 3.6.2 Developing mātauranga Māori ____________________________ 78 3.6.3 Delivering of mātauranga Māori ___________________________ 79 3.6.4 The role of literature