Climate and Māori
E ngā matāwaka, tēnei te mihi atu a NIWA ki a koutou e noho mai nā i tēnā koko, i tērā koko o te whenua o Aotearoa.
Nau mai, kuhu mai ki rōto o Taihoronukurangi whare pānui ai ngā kōrerorero e pā ana ki nga āhuatanga o Ranginui me tana tamaiti a Tawhirimātea me o rāua tikanga anō hoki. Ko ētehi atu aronga ko ngā mahi tūkino a te tangata ki a Ranginui e tū iho nei; ngā Tohu Huarere me ngā Tohu āhuarangi hei whakapakari i tō tātou mōhiotanga e pā ana ki ēnei tūāhua kia kore ai e memeha tēnei taonga tuku iho. E tika ana te kōrero a kui mā, a koro mā, `Mā tō rourou, me tāku rourou ka ora ai te manuwhiri'. Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā ra tātou katoa.
Climate has always been important for Maori. It affects the winds, waves, and ocean currents, influences which plants, trees, and birds are found in various parts of the country, and impacts the social, economic and cultural well being of individuals and communities. Through the generations Maori have built up extensive knowledge of local climate, from the character of local winds and rain to the forecasting of drier and warmer summers. These forms of knowledge have traditionally helped to make important decisions about the best time to farm, fish and navigate, among other activities. However, despite this local knowledge and the resilience that it brings, some Maori communities face obstacles related to climate change which increase their vulnerability and heighten their socio-economic risks. These challenges (and opportunities in some cases) have urged a climate change research agenda for Maori.
These pages:
- Summarise research needs identified by stakeholders who attended a Maori Climate Forum hosted by NIWA.
- Describe work NIWA has been doing with iwi to document Māori environmental knowledge of weather and climate.
- Outline work on addressing energy needs of small communities through renewable energy sources and conservation.
- Show how climate information can be used to help identify new crops likely to suit local conditions.
- Provide links to NIWA’s climate services and to information about expected future changes in New Zealand’s climate.
For further information on one of these topics, please click one of the links at the top of this page.