The Mauri Compass is an innovative tool designed to evaluate the cultural, social, spiritual, and community values of freshwater, estuarine, 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.
Key Principles
The Mauri Compass is grounded in essential Māori principles, which include:
Assessment Process
The Mauri Compass employs a comprehensive assessment process that includes desktop research, fieldwork, and extensive engagement with tangata whenua. This process is designed to capture the historical, current, and future connections and relationships of the local Māori communities with the water body. The assessment looks at attributes across three main categories:
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 PlansThe 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.
Key Principles
The Mauri Compass is grounded in essential Māori principles, which include:
- Whānaungatanga (Relationships): Emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining relationships within the community and with the environment.
- Manaakitanga (Hospitality): Focuses on the care and respect for others, ensuring the well-being of all.
- Rangatiratanga (Leadership and Self-determination): Encourages self-governance and the right of Māori to lead and make decisions regarding their natural resources.
- Kaitiakitanga (Guardianship): Highlights the responsibility of tangata whenua to protect and manage the environment sustainably.
Assessment Process
The Mauri Compass employs a comprehensive assessment process that includes desktop research, fieldwork, and extensive engagement with tangata whenua. This process is designed to capture the historical, current, and future connections and relationships of the local Māori communities with the water body. The assessment looks at attributes across three main categories:
- Te Ao Māori (Māori Worldview Aspects):
- Tangata whenua connection and cultural practices
- Spiritual connections
- Mahinga kai (customary food gathering practices)
- Nga Tini a Tangaroa (Water Resources):
- Availability and health of key mahinga kai species
- Te Ao Taiao (The Environment):
- Habitat condition
- Biodiversity
- Water chemistry
- Biohazards
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 PlansThe 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.