Ka mua, ka muri: The inclusion of mātauranga Māori in New Zealand ecology

Abstract

Globally, there is growing recognition of the benefits that indigenous peoples can bring to ecology and conservation, drawing on deep spiritual and cultural ties to the environment. The contribution of indigenous peoples and their knowledges is now widely acknowledged as critical to successful efforts to mitigate anthropogenic impacts. In New Zealand, matauranga spans all aspects of indigenous Maori knowledge and is conceptualised, developed and maintained through practice and connection. We searched all issues of the Proceedings of the New Zealand Ecological Society and the New Zealand Journal of Ecology from 1953 to 2018 to identify and highlight papers that feature research partnerships with Maori and/or acknowledge and explore matauranga Maori in a meaningful way. There were only three, republished here in this virtual issue. Although there has been a recent increase in studies that incorporate matauranga Maori published in other journals, we argue that substantive commitment to community partnerships and bicultural research has not been realized in ecological research. Working with interdisciplinary knowledge including matauranga will be critical to halt further biodiversity loss and improve outcomes for the environment and people, in New Zealand and worldwide. Matauranga Maori has much to contribute to positive biodiversity and ecological outcomes, but it will require institutional and systemic support of scientific researchers to develop authentic partnerships with Maori communities to transform research practices.