Motiti Marae and Tapuiwahine A12 whenua landblocks: The seen and the unseen – Exploring whenua and waterways ecosystems through sonic mapping and LiDar scanning technologies.

Project Summary

This research project explored the utilisation of sonic mapping and LiDar scanning of Motiti marae and Tapuiwahine A12 landblocks, located 7 km south-west of Te Kūiti, on Mangatea Road. The principal hapū associated with Mōtiti marae are Ngāti Te Puta-i-te-muri, Ngāti Tauhunu, Ngāti Urunumia and Ngāti Kinohaku. The wharepuni are named Ko Te Hunga-iti and Te Hāpainga. The marae connects ancestrally to the Tainui waka, the maunga Kakepuku and Pirongia, the awa Mangapū and the tribal collective of Ngāti Maniapoto.

The whenua of Motiti marae and Tapuiwahine A12 are full of sounds that are shared by organisms and humans which can be defined as sound ecology. With sonic and land ecologies, a sonic map is defined as an entire sonic energy produced by distinct sonic sources such as geophonies, biophonies and anthrophonies (Farina, 2014). 

LiDar technology, airborne laser scanning offers the ability to map the ground hidden by vegetation, whether it be forest, scrub or long grass. Laser pulses find gaps through to the ground and returns accurate data for the creation of digital terrain models and contours. LiDar opens up a number of difficult environments to the powerful benefits of 3D surveying. Little is known about the role and importance of the sound acoustic context and LiDar scanning to support the health and vitality and sustainability of the whenua and the awa. 

This research project took advantage of recent advances in sound and LiDar technologies to utilise a broad collection of different audio/sonic and vibrational digital sound files and 3D scanning to respond to how this sonic and LiDar mapping information can be analysed to support the well-being and health of whenua and awa.  

Lead Researcher

Dr Maree Sheehan, Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whāoa, Ngāti Pākehā

Research Team

Dr Valance Smith, Ngāpuhi, Waikato, Ngāti Haina, Ngāti Pākehā, AUT

Assoc Prof Māui Hudson, Te Whakatohea, Ngā Ruahine, Te Mahurehure,  University of Waikato

Dr Claudio Aguayo, AUT

Jeremy Neilson, Recon Advanced Spatial

Emiko Sheehan, Ariana Sheehan, Kamelia Te Amohanga, Ngāti Maniapoto – Motiti marae and Tapuiwahine A12

Highlights

• Combined mātauranga Māori with sonic mapping and LiDar for multi-layered ecological insights
• Worked in partnership with local hapū, marae trustees, and research institutions
• Revealed new ways of understanding mauri through vibrational sound data
• Contributed to historical archives for future generations of Ngāti Maniapoto
• Opened a new pathway for Māori-led environmental monitoring using cutting-edge tools