Proud to be backing mātauranga Māori scientific research

  • Hon Dr Megan Woods
  • Hon Willie Jackson
  • Indigenous innovation – contributing to economic growth through distinctive science and innovation
  • Taiao – achieving environmental sustainability through iwi and hapū relationships with land and sea
  • Hauora/Oranga – improving health and social wellbeing
  • Mātauranga – exploring indigenous knowledge and science and innovation.
  • Sixteen projects including a horticultural and food enterprise, a study into intergenerational iwi knowledge, and ways of bringing traditional and modern engineering streams together will receive funding through the latest round of the Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund, RSI Minister Megan Woods and Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson announced today.

    “This Fund is all about supporting the many opportunities that come from strengthening mātauranga Māori and the science and innovation system in a way that embraces both bodies of knowledge as complementary,” says Megan Woods.

    “In this tenth round of investment I’m excited to see how these 16 projects will inspire new understanding for both iwi and research organisations, so we can find new solutions for the benefit of all of Aotearoa New Zealand, whilst potentially also coming up with new pathways for commercial opportunities.

    “For example Rangitāne o Manawatū will work with Massey University and Plant and Food to look at what needs to happen to develop the karaka nut as a potential commercial enterprise. We know the kernel is a gluten-free source of carbohydrate and protein and has the potential to be a useful food source, however, its toxins need to be eliminated, and that’s where mātauranga Māori comes in,” Megan Woods said.

    “Our ability to create a better future is strengthened through every one of these projects and I want to personally congratulate them for their hard mahi” says Willie Jackson.

    “Mātauranga spans Māori knowledge, culture, values and worldview. Protecting and developing mātauranga Māori is a key factor in preserving our country’s uniqueness. I am proud to see Māori knowledge and research continue to grow,” Willie Jackson said.

    “This investment demonstrates the Government’s continued support for science and innovation as we continue our economic rebuild from Covid-19,” Megan Woods said.

    Other project highlights:

    • Me tupu i a wīwī, me tupu i a wāwā: An intergenerational study vital to the life cycle of Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei – Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei will partner with Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed futures, to build research capacity using data analysis and research governance.
    • Tāmatahia te Maginga Tio o Kahukuraariki: Restoring tribal rock oyster aquaculture within Te Tai Tokerau – The Kahukaariki Trust Board will partner with the University of Auckland and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited to develop and re-establish native rock oysters in Te Tai Tokerau
    • Pathways from taiaha to trendsetting: Partnering mātauranga Māori with engineering knowledge – The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute will partner with the University of Auckland to bring together traditional knowledge and modern engineering.

    ENDS

    Editor’s notes

    Established in 2010, the Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund invests around $4 million each investment round into projects across two schemes: the Connect Scheme, which builds new connections between Māori organisations and the science and innovation system; and the Placement Scheme, which enhances the development of an individual(s) through placement in a Partner organisation.

    MBIE makes final funding decisions based on recommendations of an independent Assessment Panel.

    The 2022 round is the tenth investment round of the fund.

    2022 proposals approved for funding:

    Organisation

    Project title

    Partner organisation(s)

    Funding (GST excl.)

    Scheme

    Eastern Institute of Technology

    Te Ao Ka Hira o Ngāti Kere: A community driven knowledge management system for preservation, presentation, and custodianship of hapū-specific mātauranga Māori

    Ngāti Kere Hapū Authority

    $249,312.00

    Connect

    Kahukuraariki Trust Board

    Tāmatahia te Mahinga Tio a Kahukuraariki: Restoring tribal rock oyster aquaculture within Te Tai Tokerau

    University of Auckland, School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    Makaurau Marae Māori Trust

    Parahau

    Te Roopu Whariki, Massey University

    $250,000.00

    Placement

    Massey University

    He paku ā uta he paku ā rō wai

    Whakaki Lake Trust

    $227,580.00

    Connect

    Massey University

    Kei hea tō karaka – a horticultural and food enterprise for Rangitāne o Manawatū.

    Rangitāne o Manawatū, The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited

    $249,930.00

    Connect

    Massey University

    Māmā pūpū, māmā kina: restoring environmental and social wellbeing through the active restoration of marine taonga

    Te Rūnanga o Te Whānau

    $158,704.00

    Connect

    National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited

    Te Hihiringa: Te Wānanga o te Tohorā

    Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust Board Inc. (PTITB), Far Out Ocean Research Collective Charitable Trust

    $249,000.00

    Connect

    Ngati Whatua Orakei Whai Maia Limited

    Me tupu i a wīwī, me tupu i a wāwā – An intergenerational study vital to the life cycle of Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei

    Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures

    $250,000.00

    Placement

    Te Poito Lands Charitable Trust

    Mā te ahūrea whakahāerenga i te Mātaitai Ka whakaora ai i te kaimoana, te whakareitanga ake ai i te mana o te tangata. Enhancing Mana Through Restoration of Kaimoana by Cultural Management of Mataitai

    Waikato University

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    Te Toi Ōhanga: New Zealand Institute of Māori Economic Development and Innovation Ltd

    Ahikāroa Heretaunga

    Te Manaaki Taiao, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga

    $250,000.00

    Placement

    University of Auckland

    Designing next generation health technology through a Māori lens

    Kiwa Digital Ltd, Iwi United Engaged Ltd

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    University of Auckland

    Pathways from taiaha to trendsetting: partnering mātauranga Māori with engineering knowledge

    New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    University of Auckland

    Kohunga Kākāriki Kutai – Nurturing Seeds for Growth

    Muriwhenua Developments Charitable Trust

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    University of Auckland

    Te Ara Auaha o Muriwhenua Ngāti Turi: The Journey of Muriwhenua Māori Deaf Innovation

    Muriwhenua

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    Wakatu Incorporation

    Te Tauihu Māori Pharmacopoeia

    CE Research Associates, Robert Pa McGowan

    $250,000.00

    Placement

    Wharekawa Marae Reservation Trust

    Wharekawa Marae Vision Mātauranga Research Capability Building Project

    Ecoquest Education Foundation – Ecological Monitoring and Research, Dr Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal

    $250,000.00

    Connect

    A full list of successful recipients from previous funding rounds is available on MBIE’s website.

    /Public Release. View in full here.