Whakarewarewa Thermal Village as a Living Laboratory for Indigenous Materials Science Outreach and Education

Abstract

The Māori people of Whakarewarewa thermal village have grown knowledge of their unique surroundings – New Zealand’s iconic geothermal field in Rotorua – over centuries of sustainable living. More recently, this living village has welcomed visitors to experience life and be exposed to the body of indigenous knowledge – mātauranga Māori – held in the village. Whakarewarewa thermal village has now forged a partnership with the MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnogy; a New Zealand centre of research excellence. In this partnership, we are using the physical and cultural context of Whakarewarewa thermal village as a living laboratory for materials science research, outreach and education. With a blend of traditional and modern tools, we have co-created a program that engages the local community, schools, the public, and visitors to be part of an exploration that bridges Māori and western knowledge systems. We find that modern materials analysis corroborates traditional knowledge and motivates enhanced engagement in both domains. The broad distribution in the community will add to the impact, particularly in widening the appreciation of Mātauranga Māori and scientific methods. By engaging a local guide along with schools in data gathering and knowledge sharing, including school curriculum-linked activities, the program provides meaningful experiences of mātauranga and science in practice. Underlying themes like water and air quality highlight the relevance of science to students, while mātauranga Māori provides researchers with examples of materials science as being about the smart use of natural resources. Through this partnership, we aim to open science pathways for Māori students and others connected to the village that will ultimately benefit their communities.