Respected cultural leader and science advocate Rauru Kirikiri has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to Māori, science and conservation, reflecting a lifetime dedicated to building understanding between Te Ao Māori and western scientific communities.
A member of Te Whānau ā Apanui, Mr Rauru Kirikiri has played a pivotal role in ensuring Māori perspectives and values are incorporated into scientific research, environmental management and conservation initiatives throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Drawing on experience gained through diplomatic postings and public service, Mr Kirikiri became a highly respected cultural advisor and mediator, helping forge meaningful relationships between iwi and research organisations. His work has been instrumental in creating partnerships that have strengthened both scientific outcomes and Māori participation in decision-making.
From the early 1990s until 2006, Mr Kirikiri served as a senior manager and cultural advisor with Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research (MWLR). During this time, he worked closely with researchers to build enduring partnerships with iwi, particularly Ngāi Tahu and Tūhoe, helping conservation and environmental projects incorporate mātauranga Māori alongside scientific research.
One of his notable contributions came in the early 1990s when he assisted New Zealand and Australian research teams in negotiations surrounding the introduction of the rabbit calicivirus as a biological control agent to address exploding rabbit populations. His ability to navigate cultural, community and scientific perspectives helped facilitate discussions on a complex and often contentious issue.
Mr Kirikiri’s commitment to advancing science continued through his service on the Board of the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, one of New Zealand’s Centres of Research Excellence, from 2002 to 2015. His guidance helped ensure Māori interests and cultural values were considered in emerging scientific research and innovation.
Since 2016, he has served as a cultural intermediary between the New Zealand Food Safety Science and Research Centre (NZFSSRC) and East Coast iwi. His leadership has been critical in fostering trust and collaboration, enabling research projects that directly benefit local communities.
Among these initiatives have been projects focused on ensuring the safe consumption of tuna (eel) from Whakakī Lake and supporting the safe harvesting of wild food resources in Uawa/Tolaga Bay. Through these efforts, Mr Kirikiri has helped connect scientific expertise with local knowledge and community priorities.
His dedication to conservation has also been reflected through governance roles at the national level. He served as a Trustee of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature New Zealand (WWF-New Zealand) from 2015 to 2019 and as a member of the New Zealand Conservation Authority from 2014 to 2020, contributing to environmental policy and conservation strategies across the country.
In recognition of his extensive contributions to science and society, Mr Kirikiri was named a Companion of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, one of the highest honours acknowledging support and advancement of research and knowledge in New Zealand.
Mr Kirikiri’s career stands as a powerful example of the value of partnership between indigenous knowledge systems and scientific inquiry. His work has helped create pathways for collaboration, strengthened relationships between iwi and researchers, and ensured Māori voices are represented in conversations about the future of New Zealand’s environment, conservation and scientific development.
His recognition honours decades of service dedicated to connecting people, cultures and knowledge for the benefit of communities and future generations.
