The challenge is that there are limited resources to help communities understand highly technical scientific concepts and information in a way that resonates with them and gives them the tools to engage with agencies in these discussions.
Recognising this gap, Manaaki Whenua researcher Dr Luise Schulte secured support from the Impact Enterprise Fund to create user-friendly tools tailored to Māori communities. “These resources will help Māori communities be on an equal footing to scientific research agencies when it comes to discussions about weed biocontrol,” she says.
Kaihautū Māori Research Impact Leader Dr Nikki Harcourt says Māori communities are hungry for resources that translate this complex information into formats that Māori can relate to their ways of knowing and interacting with the world.
“Mana whenua groups often don’t understand highly technical scientific concepts that come with issues like the biocontrol of weeds,” she says. “These support tools need to be developed in collaboration with stakeholders, and those tools need to be tailored to their decision-making needs.”
Through wānanga (meetings), participants from different hapū and iwi environmental groups have helped to shape the look and feel of resources, including a booklet and animated video to ensure they are useful and meaningful for Māori communities.
“Not only have I had huge capability gains from the experience to date, but the opportunity to design resources with Māori partners has increased my own understanding about an ao Māori framing of inherently techno- scientifically framed concepts,” says Luise.
One of the participants in the weed biocontrol wānanga, Graeme Atkins (Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine, Raukūmara Pae Maunga Restoration Project), was very clear that Manaaki Whenua needs to target all the social media platforms and channels to reach communities. “Having trusted faces communicating these key messages in ways that resonate with Māori communities will save endless hui,” he says.
Tāne Houston (Ngāruahine, Tāngahoe, Ngāti Ruanui. Ngāti Manuhiakai, Ngāti Tupaia, Ngāti Tānewai, and Taranaki Mounga Project) celebrates resources that use a storyline to carry an important narrative. “Our people are storytellers, so using a video to deliver key points is key to obtaining the emotional connection needed to inspire people to act.”
“The kaihautū or Māori leaders are investing Strategic Science Investment Fund money into the production of te Ao Māori-centric resources because they know that this is key to achieving impact for our Māori partners, and that means making sure our outputs are aligned with our partner’s needs,” says Nikki.
