Kia ora koutou,

On Sunday 14th September & Monday 16th September, the symposium - Whakarongo ki a Tangaroa - He Tohu! - centred around the 2011 Rena disaster is running at Ōtamarākau Marae in the Bay of Plenty, bringing research from the 'ivory towers' back to the pa and home communities.

A large amount of research has occurred since the 2011 Rena disaster, and this symposium provides an opportunity for the communities affected to discuss the results and outcomes of these studies face to face with the researchers and for the groups to continue to share knowledge.

Organised by Te Arawa ki Tai Trust and hosted by Ōtamarākau Marae, the symposium will present the results of 6 peer reviewed research papers that focus on the Rena stranding, consequent spill, recovery phase and the after effects of the sinking.

It will officially open on Sunday at 3pm, with most presentations from the gathered speakers taking place on Monday 16th September.

Dr Daniel Hikuroa from Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga will be running the mātauranga Māori and science workshop, and Principal Investigator Dr Kepa Morgan will be presenting research from the NPM study, ‘How do we return the mauri to its pre-Rena state?'.

The speakers are a mix of academics and local researchers, and organiser Raewynn Bennett says that "“By bringing the academics to the pa, we are breaking down the ivory tower, so locals will not feel intimidated about seeking higher education opportunities or asking questions. It's a symposium for the people, not for academics to talk to other academics; they'll be talking to the people and any research about Maori communities should be shared with those communities”.

For more details on the symposium, email raewynnbennett@actrix.co.nz

For information on how to get to Ōtamarākau Marae, link here

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