Environmental monitoring and Maramataka

30 March, 2021

Dr Pauline Harris in the forest identifying and observing plants as a part of her Maramataka research.

The environmental monitoring research of Dr Pauline Harris, from Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Rakaipaaka and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, involves teaching people and communities how to monitor the environment and how to understand changes that may be occurring. These changes relate to pollution, deforestation, changing temperatures and more. Working within the framework of the Maramataka system, this reserach investigates if changes are being observed in the environment and if so, why?

The research reaches into communities to teach people how to reconnect with their environment so they can monitor changes themselves. Dr Harris is producing videos, running wānanga and going into communities to work with people directly.

This research is being conducted in collaboration with the Society of Māori Astronomy Research and Traditions (SMART) that has some of the most knowledgeable Maramataka experts in Aotearoa New Zealand.