Grounded in the Past,
Guiding the Future
The Mauri Compass is more than a tool—it is a bridge between knowledge systems, translating historical wisdom into modern environmental action..
Our Whakapapa
The Mauri Compass was born from a need to ensure that cultural values were not just heard, but understood and acted upon in environmental decision-making.
Grounded in mātauranga Māori and supported by environmental science, it provides a structured way to assess mauri—the life-supporting capacity of a place. It translates deep cultural concepts into defensible data that stands up in courtrooms and community halls alike.
Developed over more than 20 years and refined through over 300 noho marae, the Compass was inspired by our Pāpā, the late Bill Ruru.
He always said "You know the mauri is restored when you can safely place kai from the waters on the table for your manuhiri."
Three generations of kaitiaki: Bill Ruru with his son Ian and grandson Manawa
Explore the Compass
Adjust the 12 key attributes across the three domains to see how they shape the holistic mauri assessment.
Meet the Kaitiaki
Ian Ruru
Founder & Director
The Mauri Compass was inspired by my father, the late Bill Ruru, and his commitment to passing mātauranga Māori to his grandsons. I was lucky to spend many years with him delivering aquaculture and customary fishing wānanga at more than 300 marae.
Current and Recent Previous Roles:
- •Managing Director, Maumahara Consultancy Services Ltd.
- •Certified Resource Management Act Chairperson and Independent Hearings Commissioner
- •Principal Māori Scientist, Ministry for the Environment
- •Director, Ngāti Porou Seafood Limited and Ngāti Porou Fisheries Limited
- •Director, Te Kumukumu Limited. Ngai Tai Iwi Asset Holding Company
- •Alternate Director, Te Wai Māori Trust
- •Taumata Arowai as a Crown-appointed Deputy Chair of Te Puna o Taumata Arowai
- •Kahui Maori, Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge
- •Director, Te Aitanga a Mahaki Asset Holding Company
- •Director, Iwi Collective Partnership
Riaki Ruru
Mauri Compass Lead & Co-Developer
Ko Te Aitanga a Māhaki, ko Ngāti Porou, ko Ngāi Tai, ko Te Whakatōhea oku iwi. Tēnei rā te mihi nui ki a koutou.
I am a Māori environmental practitioner with a background in environmental science, having worked in both the public and private sectors. My work is all about connecting mātauranga Māori with contemporary science, translating these powerful perspectives into clear and defensible evidence that leaders can act on.
Through my role, I work directly with iwi, trusts, councils, and agribusiness leaders to shift environmental responsibility from a goal to a reality. The aim is simple: to make environmental and cultural performance so clear and measurable that it drives confident decision-making from the top down.
By drawing on both traditional knowledge and innovative thinking, we assist organisations on the journey from intention to implementation. It's about strengthening kaitiakitanga in a way you can see and measure, ensuring we protect and enhance our people and places for today and for the future.