Mataranga Maori Workshop Notes

Workshop Overview

• Introduction to the workshop and upcoming test details

• Excitement for the day's session on Mataranga Maori in practice

Upcoming Test Details

• Test date: Next week (Friday at 5:00 PM to Sunday at 11:00 PM)

• Content coverage: Weeks 1 to 5

• Test format: 30-minute multiple-choice test with 25 questions

  • Study Priorities:

    • Live lecture content from weeks 1-3

    • Videos available on Moodle (critical to understand)

    • Essential readings marked on Moodle

    • Non-essential readings can be ignored

• Test completion average: 22 minutes (enough time if familiar with content)

• Open-book format (advantageous but requires familiarity with material)

Strategies for Test Success

• Preparation Tips:

  • Familiarize yourself with core content to answer questions quickly.

  • Skim essential readings in preparation for discussion points.

  • Utilize study groups or discussions with classmates for better understanding.

• Approach to the Test:

  • Answer questions you know first, then return to difficult ones.

  • Be aware of generative AI limitations (e.g., ChatGPT not effective for specific content).

Workshop Topic: Mataranga Maori in Practice

• Focus on the themes of haumora (well-being) and henengaro (mental health)

• Interconnectedness of individuals, community, and natural world emphasized in Maori culture

Identity and Connection to Nature

• Tribalanga: Importance of identifying with and connecting to the natural world; all species' interconnectedness.

• Discussion of the Maimarau cultural center and environmental indicators in Maori practices.

Health and Environmental Well-being

• Insights on how environmental health indicates cultural and personal well-being

• Tohu (indicators) in nature:

  • Monitoring species and environmental signs to detect changes in ecosystems.

  • Example: Flower blooming correlates with the readiness of kinah (sea urchin) for harvesting.

• Tuna (Eels) as indicators of water quality.

  • Health issues in eels signal problems in water quality upstream.

• Importance of birds for food harvesting guidance.

  • Bird behavior and its relationship with food abundance.

Project Example: Te Wahapu Waihi

• Collaborative project with five iwi (tribes) to restore and manage the Waihi Estuary.

  • Addressing environmental degradation caused by agricultural activities in the catchment area.

• Creation of wetland areas to filter pollutants before they reach the estuary.

• Focus on carbon sequestration and sustainability in land management.

Importance of Maori Knowledge Transmission

• Ongoing efforts to ensure knowledge transfer between generations.

• Fieldwork involving youth to engage and pass on traditional knowledge of native species and harvesting practices.

Understanding Health and Well-being in Context

• Integration of Maori and mainstream perspectives on health, focusing on holistic well-being through whare tapa wha.

• Recognition that health is multi-dimensional, encompassing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects.

• Importance of reaching out for support and creating a community of care.

Final Notes

• Encouragement for self-care and connecting with peers for support.

• Reminder of resource availability for further learning and understanding Maori perspectives on environmental practices.

• Closing remarks on the collaborative nature of learning and caring for the environment.

• Follow-up discussions and exploration of complex topics to continue learning beyond the workshop.