January 30, 2019
Ice carvings address climate change
Two Māori carvers head to Antarctica next week to complete and install a traditional carving at New Zealand’s Scott Base ice headquarters.
Poutama Hetaraka carved the whakawae or side frames in Whangārei and James York carving the lintel door lintel at Colac Bay in Southland.
Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research ecologist Priscilla Wehi says Antarctica ecosystems are key indicators of climate change, so it is critical to monitor and protect them.
The Antarctic programme’s mātauranga Māori component is about observing what is happening with two eyes – one eye using the strength of indigenous knowledge and worldviews, and the other eye with the acute sight of scientific research.
Mr York says from his coastal home he bears daily witness to the impact climate change, including seeing part of the foreshore road closed off because of coastal erosion caused by rising sea levels and increasing king tides.
He says the carving is a discussion of those issues and a wero to do something about climate change.
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