Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata – When the land is healthy, people are healthy

Ka ora te tangata, ka ora te whenua – When people are healthy, the land is healthy

Climate change is one of the most serious global health threats of the 21st century. Its impacts will be disproportionately borne by the most disadvantaged populations around the world, including Indigenous peoples who have long-term interests in the land that remains under their control after colonisation, and are heavily invested in primary industries.

It is expected to have major implications for well-being in New Zealand, where for Māori in particular it will expose them to a range of vulnerabilities.

Through multiple collaborations across NPM research theme areas (Whai Rawa, Mauri Ora, Te Reo me Ngā Tikanga, Te Tai Ao) this NPM Research Platform project - Future Proofing Māori Development: Huringa Rangi Huringa Oranga - is connecting a diverse team of Māori researchers who are seeking to better understand Māori communities priorities, mātauranga and climate change adaptation while consolidating a repository of Māori and Indigenous research with respect to climate change, its impacts and strategies to adapt and mitigate effects.

This project is hosted through our partner Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, and led by Dr Shaun Awatere and Dr John Pirker. The research team is working and being responsive to a range of climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions for Māori and promoting Māori responsiveness with a range of key stakeholders and partners including whānau/hapū/iwi, Māori business and entrepreneurs, local and central government.

This is one of many collaborative, multi-institutional and holistic NPM projects that use a transformative and transdisciplinary approach to change mindsets and create socially optimal outcomes.

The NPM Platform Project Future Proofing Māori Development: Huringa Rangi Huringa Oranga will conclude in mid-2020.