Matauranga Manu
In 2003 Kaupapa Taiao successfully received funding from the Matauranga Kura Taiao Fund administered by Ngā Whenua Rāhui to research and collate Mātauranga Ngāi Tahu associated with culturally significant manu. The Mātauranga Kura Taiao Fund supports iwi / hapū initiatives to increase their capability to retain and promote traditional Māori knowledge and its use in biodiversity management.
The purpose of this project is to collect Mātauranga Ngāi Tahu knowledge about culturally significant manu from written literature, Ngāi Tahu individuals and wananga into user friendly resources for Papatipu Rūnaka and Ngāi Tahu Whānui. These resources will assist Ngāi Tahu representatives who work closely with specific management of manu (i.e. Ngāi Tahu representatives on Species Recovery Groups and Fish & Game Councils), assist the management of nationally threatened birds and be available for Papatipu Rūnaka and whānau for education purposes.
There is a concern that Mātauranga Ngāi Tahu may be lost and more generic Māori knowledge will be adopted as correct for the Ngāi Tahu rohe. We are aware that there are specific traditions and practices unique to Ngāi Tahu that we want to retain, know and acknowledge.
Main methods of collating information
- researching written material, such as archived material and manuscripts;
- interviewing individuals; and
- organising wānanga for Ngāi Tahu whānui.
The wānanga will provide opportunities for Ngāi Tahu Whānui to share Mātauranga knowledge with one another and to undertake Ngāi Tahu practices associated with ngā manu, such as the practical recovery of cultural materials from ngā manu. Wānanga will provide opportunities for whānau and individuals to discuss methods of revival and use of these cultural practices, and appropriate uses of Mātauranga Ngāi Tahu with respect to management of bird species and educational purposes.
The project will enhance the transmission of knowledge and practices through gathering and collating information pertaining to Mātauranga Manu in a way that is accessible to Ngāi Tahu Whānui.
Following on from this project, and as an outcome from the wānanga, Kaupapa Taiao is aiming to identify and initiate further projects with Ngāi Tahu Whānui in respect to specific knowledge and the retention and practice of that knowledge, such as further wānanga, hui and hīkoi.