Maori Science and Forest Restoration in Te Urewera

Introduction to Maori Science

• Dr. Ocean Mercier presents on the intersection of Maori and Western science in Aotearoa (New Zealand).
• Aim: To address global issues through combined knowledge.

Importance of Urewera Forest

• Uriwere Forest: Largest remaining area of native forest in North Island.
• Historically dominated by podocarp trees (e.g., rimu, matai, kahikatea).
• Timber milling banned in the 1960s, yet regeneration of these species is lacking.

Historical Context of Timber Industry

• Timber mill located at Kakanui provided local employment.
• At its closure, the mill left locals without jobs or forest regeneration.

Restoration Challenges with Podocarp Trees

• Tawa Sapling: Currently, Tawa trees dominate the forest landscape.
• Tawa inhibits the growth of podocarp seedlings, as it only regenerates under its own kind.
• Without intervention, native podocarp species face extinction.

Research and Projects

• Collaboration with the Kiwi Restoration Project at Waikara Moana.
• Engaged local Toa Whenua Trust for research on restoration projects.
• Focus on addressing declining podocarp biodiversity and health.

Ecological Observations

• Podocarps, like rimu and matai, take hundreds of years to mature.
• Important gaps are needed for podocarps to successful grow post-logging.
• Below-ground soil conditions still reflect the presence of historic trees like rimu, affecting seedling growth.

Active Restoration Efforts

• Monitoring Growth: Strategies include removing competitive species and studying light and soil conditions for better seedling proliferation.
• Protecting seedlings from pests (e.g., deer, pigs) is crucial for survival.
• Achievements include planting 4,000 podocarp seedlings, gathered from the local forest to respect the ecological whakapapa (genealogy).

Local Engagement and Knowledge Preservation

• Involving locals to gather traditional knowledge about flora and fauna.
• Integrating ancestral knowledge with scientific research to formulate comprehensive restoration strategies.
• Engaging with changes in global climate and understanding its impact on local ecosystems is vital.

Long-term Monitoring and Sustainability

• Future success requires prolonged monitoring of transplanted seedlings.
• Economic sustainability of the project is necessary to ensure long-term survival and benefits for the local community.

Conclusion

• The efforts of Tsuhoe Tsua Whenua Trust and Manaaki Whenua exemplify the blend of Maori knowledge and scientific methods aimed at restoring and preserving native podocarps in Te Urewera.
• The success of these initiatives is tied to community involvement, funding, and a commitment to future generations of Tsuhoe.