Ka ora te wai, ka ora te whenua, ka ora ngā tāngataā
If the water is healthy, and the land is healthy, the people are healthy.
If the water is healthy, and the land is healthy, the people are healthy.
The Mauri Compass is used to evaluate and enhance the health of ecosystems and communities, collectively.
The framework is an innovative tool designed to evaluate the cultural, social, spiritual, and community values of land, freshwater, and coastal environments from a Māori worldview perspective. This framework is critical for tangata whenua (local Māori communities) to lead the engagement and assessment processes concerning the mauri (life force) of these water bodies.
In addition, a teaching curriculum was created to support the training of accredited Mauri Compass assessors and tauira (students). This initiative safeguards the model's integrity and strengthens the ability of kaitiaki (guardians) throughout Aotearoa to protect and preserve our treasured taonga tuku iho (ancestral gifts).
Integration of Knowledge Systems
A notable feature of the Mauri Compass is its ability to integrate mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with conventional scientific data. This integration allows for a holistic understanding of the water body's mauri, facilitating a more comprehensive assessment and management approach.
Change Over Time
The tool allows for the evaluation of changes over time, providing a comparative analysis of historical, current, and future predicted states of the water body. This includes assessing the impacts of proposed activities or projects on the mauri.
Objectives and Action Plans
The Mauri Compass process culminates in the identification of specific objectives, targets, and action plans aimed at maintaining or improving the mauri of the water body. It also establishes an ongoing cultural monitoring program, ensuring continuous oversight and adaptation as needed.
Alignment with National Policies
The tool has been developed to align with and support the implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. This alignment ensures that the assessments and management plans are not only culturally relevant but also comply with national regulatory frameworks.
Conclusion
Overall, the Mauri Compass provides a robust, authentic framework for tangata whenua-led assessment and management of freshwater, estuarine, and coastal environments. It recognizes and upholds the cultural, spiritual, and community values of Māori, ensuring that these critical aspects are central to environmental management and restoration efforts.
A notable feature of the Mauri Compass is its ability to integrate mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) with conventional scientific data. This integration allows for a holistic understanding of the water body's mauri, facilitating a more comprehensive assessment and management approach.
Change Over Time
The tool allows for the evaluation of changes over time, providing a comparative analysis of historical, current, and future predicted states of the water body. This includes assessing the impacts of proposed activities or projects on the mauri.
Objectives and Action Plans
The Mauri Compass process culminates in the identification of specific objectives, targets, and action plans aimed at maintaining or improving the mauri of the water body. It also establishes an ongoing cultural monitoring program, ensuring continuous oversight and adaptation as needed.
Alignment with National Policies
The tool has been developed to align with and support the implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020. This alignment ensures that the assessments and management plans are not only culturally relevant but also comply with national regulatory frameworks.
Conclusion
Overall, the Mauri Compass provides a robust, authentic framework for tangata whenua-led assessment and management of freshwater, estuarine, and coastal environments. It recognizes and upholds the cultural, spiritual, and community values of Māori, ensuring that these critical aspects are central to environmental management and restoration efforts.