SOCIETIAL ACCEPTANCE OF REMOTE SENSING INNOVATIONS : EXAMPLE FROM WHAKAREWAREWA-ARIKIKAPAKAPA, ROTORUA GEOTHERMAL FIELD

Abstract

Vision M?tauranga (VM) – unlocking the M?ori innovation potential – is a key goal of the government to include in the New Zealand science landscape. M?tauranga M?ori is dynamic and locally specific, based on longstanding interactions – through time and space – of post-modern technology between people and their surrounding environment. We have used the latest remote sensing technology, on both satellite and aircraft platforms, to map the vegetation coverage, areas of thermal activity and the dominant geothermal mineral associated with larger areas (>56 m2).
The WorldView-3 (WV3) commercial satellite, launched in August 2014, has multi-sensor bands capable of capturing short wavelength infrared (SWIR) imagery at high spatial and spectral resolutions (i.e., 7.5 m pixel size; 8 wavelength bands, 1195 – 2365 nm). Using these wavelengths, images from this satellite can be used to map surface mineral occurrences at superior spectral and spatial resolutions than historical ASTER satellite instrumentation.
A mineral map of the Whakarewarewa-Arikikapakapa geothermal area is produced showing the occurrences of silica sinter and kaolinite at the larger areas. The method demonstrates the utility of the WV3 imagery to map geothermal features in areas of relatively high vegetative cover.
M?ori believe that each rock and mineral type emerges from the earth with its own story, its own whakapapa (genealogy) relating to its origin – hei koha t?, hei kura huna a Papa. This knowledge has been developed through hundreds of years of interaction and adaptation to the environment. This paper combines the indigenous and western science perspectives of the Whakarewarewa geothermal area. This approach aims to show what a given technology can contribute to its growth and development to foster the development of indigenous capability in remote-sensing technology in a culturally respectful and appropriate manner.