
free resources
cultural indicators for healthy forests 2011
This report was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries to investigate the cultural health indicators that may be applied to inform the management of the disease Phytophthera taxon Agathis, commonly known as Kauri Dieback or PA.
Tāngata Whenua wished to focus on assessing kauri health and building resilience to the disease. By confirming and utilising cultural indicators the kauri response can be informed by the enduring relationships and practices between tāngata whenua and kauri. In this case, cultural indicators are a mātauranga Māori approach to assessing the health of the environment in so far as this knowledge base can be applied to the health of kauri forests and kauri stands.
To choose which species and indicators were to be included was a four step process. The first step was the inclusion of species which have been found living on kauri (approximately 60 species). The second step was the inclusion of species which have been identified living near kauri (approximately
another 30 species). The third step was to include species from the ngahere known to be vulnerable to environmental change such as pepeketua (frogs). Fourthly, the examination of the 100 or so species for knowledge of their cultural value and their value as a cultural health indicator was carried out.
Where limited information was found on the species they were excluded from the report. Click here to read the full report.

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taumarere - the river of chiefs 2012
This Ngati Hine cultural effects assessment has come about in response to an application to the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for the reassessment of four harmful chemicals Haloxyfop-r-methyl, Imazapyr isopropylamine, Metsulfuron methyl, Triclopyr triethylamine. The application is to allow these chemicals to be used over water for the control of aquatic pest plants throughout New Zealand. Fifteen regional councils, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry for Primary Industries and Land and Information New Zealand have made a combined application.
The matters relevant to the purpose of the HSNO Act to be taken into account were, the sustainability of all native and valued introduced flora and fauna; the intrinsic value of ecosystems; public health; the relationship of Maori and their culture and traditions with their ancestral lands, water, sites, waahi tapu, valued flora and fauna, and other taonga; the economic and related benefits and costs of using a particular hazardous substance or new organism; and New Zealand's international obligations.
KAURI CULTURAL HEALTH INDICATORS - MONITORING FRAMEWORK 2013
Overarching values Whakapapa and Ngahere/ Tane Mahuta provide the parameters for the framework by demonstrating the holistic kauri ecosystem approach and informing the grouping of species indicators as follows: Minor flora, Trees, Insects & Birds.
The framework is based on nga atua domains and other key attributes including: Tinana oranga - bodily health & integrity of,
Tawhirimatea – air needed & acquired
Tamanuitera – light needed & acquired
Tangaroa – moisture need & acquired
Whanaungatanga – life stage and abundance (seeds, mature plants, flowering, etc)
Tumatauenga – Human influence at the site
Given the variance across the kauri catchment in understandings and articulation of these terms and local ecological conditions the framework is flexible and can be customized across mana whenua groups. The framework incorporates tikanga and wairuatanga protocols into the fieldwork and provides for an overall measure of the mauri of ngahere health.
A site record form and mobile data collection app template have been developed to populate with the indicators and attributes selected by mana whenua to enable data collection in the field. The methodology involves a step by step process outlining options and recommendations for community engagement, site selection, team selection, an initial wananga to customize the framework and confirm sampling strategy, monitoring frequency, logistics, equipment and training requirements, fieldwork and data collection, data analysis and suggestions around reporting and evaluation.
harvest
succession
calendar
We’ve designed a Maramataka/Moon Calendar as a guide for fellow growers to plan their own garden or farm. It outlines harvesting times for plants and plant parts based on the different moon phases that affect plant growth.
It was also designed to give a sense of the overall flow of birth, growth, bloom, fruit, and seed that the year follows and how you can integrate yourself and your medicine making in this powerful, magical cycle.
This is available for purchase, and you’ll receive a digital copy that is beautiful and high-definition along with a comprehensive explanation.

