Working towards meaningful engagement with Māori in environmental decision-making

The intergenerational panel will explore the influence of Māori (the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, New Zealand) on the policies and practices of the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority, a Crown agent, in its... [ view full abstract ]

The intergenerational panel will explore the influence of Māori (the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, New Zealand) on the policies and practices of the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority, a Crown agent, in its decision-making. In particular, it will highlight how incorporating Māori perspectives, Mātauranga Māori (Māori traditional knowledge) and the direct involvement of Māori through a statutory Māori Advisory Committee, Ngā Kaihautū Tikanga Taiao, has managed to affect policy, practice and standards of evidence in a mutually beneficial way.

The journey has not been an easy one and has taken over 20 years through changing political and Māori priorities, but it has nevertheless managed to continue to move forward and evolve.

This session will be an opportunity for learning and an exchange of experiences and knowledge, to build partnerships and to help shape the future of how government organisations meaningfully engage with indigenous peoples.

The intergenerational panel will consist of a member from the Statutory Māori Advisory Committee, the Manahautū (General Manager Māori) and a Youth member of the Māori Policy and Operations Unit at the Environmental Protection Authority.

Issues to be discussed include: Māori perspectives in decision-making around environmental matters, the role of the statutory Māori Advisory committee (comprising Māori community members), the framework developed to guide EPAs statutory obligations to Māori (He Whetū Mārama), and we will also touch on a new initiative ‘the Mātauranga Programme’, which we are in the process of developing tools and resources to assist decision-makers to improve their understanding of Mātauranga Māori.