A groundbreaking piece of research is helping reshape how Māori communities respond to climate change, with a new framework designed to support iwi and hapū in making decisions about the future of their marae.
University of Waikato PhD graduate Dr Akuhata Bailey-Winiata of Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue and Ngāti Tutetawha has worked alongside communities across Aotearoa to develop tools grounded in mātauranga Māori and lived experience.
His research focuses on the growing threat of coastal flooding and sea level rise, with many marae already facing difficult decisions about relocation and long-term sustainability.
Through engagement with affected communities, Dr Bailey-Winiata found a consistent need for clearer, culturally grounded guidance, with existing frameworks often failing to reflect the deep cultural and historical significance of marae.
His work draws on the whakataukī about walking backwards into the future, emphasising the importance of looking to the past to guide future decisions. As part of this, the research documented more than 50 historical examples of marae relocation or discussions around moving in response to natural hazards, highlighting the depth of knowledge already held within Māori communities.
Central to the project is a two-part decision-making framework developed with iwi and hapū. It includes a waka hourua model symbolising partnership, with one hull representing tangata whenua and the other tangata tiriti, alongside sails representing both mātauranga Māori and Western knowledge.
The model is already being used by national adaptation groups and is being further developed through new research funding, with wānanga taking place to refine how it can support communities navigating climate risks.
A key issue identified in the research is access to resources, including funding, technical expertise and reliable information, which many hapū say remains a barrier when planning for climate impacts.
Dr Bailey-Winiata’s work aims to bridge that gap by strengthening connections between Māori communities and the expertise they need, while ensuring decision-making remains grounded in tikanga and local knowledge.
The research has been recognised for its impact, with Dr Bailey-Winiata awarded the Koko Kairangi Prize for Best Doctoral Thesis at the University of Waikato.
As climate pressures intensify, the framework is expected to play an important role in supporting Māori-led solutions that protect whenua, whakapapa and community wellbeing.
#WaateaNews #ClimateChange #Māori #MātaurangaMāori #Iwi #Hapū #Environment #Aotearoa
