A SUPERCRITICAL JOURNEY INTO TE AO M?ORI

Abstract

More equitable partnerships are needed in Aotearoa New Zealand with M?ori, to better inform decision-making and advance economic, social and environmental goals. Increasingly m?tauranga M?ori is being consulted, aligned with and/or brought into conversation with science. Yet, many non-M?ori researchers are still uncertain how to engage with M?ori. What can we do to build trust and long-term mutually beneficial relationships? How we can be good partners?
Within our geothermal community, there is a need to better connect Te Ao M?ori ki te ao rangahau (the world of M?ori to the world of research) to facilitate more culturally responsive and effective approaches for undertaking geothermal research and resource development.
In the Geothermal: The Next Generation research programme we are taking a M?ori-first approach to engagement, recognising that M?ori are key players in Aotearoa’s next generation of geothermal development and custodians of geothermal resources. Supercritical geothermal is a long-term prospect. This means it will be future generations, particularly M?ori groups with geothermal interests, who will determine the use of supercritical resources, making the decisions and leading the way.
Given the long lead times, we have a chance to do things differently — in our stakeholder engagement, research design and interweaving of knowledge systems. In this presentation, we will share our engagement approach, including some key projects, hui and w?nanga, and share the feedback we have received from M?ori groups, our learnings (spoiler: we don’t always get it right!) and how our thinking has evolved. It is our hope that this presentation offers inspiration and encouragement for inter-weaving western science and m?tauranga M?ori, and leaves attendees feeling empowered build relationships.
M? te kimi ka kite, M? te kite ka m?hio, M? te m?hio ka m?rama
Seek and discover. Discover and know. Know and become enlightened.