The Mauri Compass was developed as a comprehensive environmental assessment tool where matauranga Maori and other sciences stand as unique bodies of knowledge in their own right.
Introduction to the Mauri Compass model
The Mauri Compass framework, fine-tuned for marine ecosystems, originates from a research initiative aimed at integrating mātauranga Māori with Western scientific knowledge. This tool is pivotal in aiding local communities and landowners to assess impacts on the mauri of their natural resources. The model has been adapted to factor in marine zones and species, thus expanding its utility. Attributes of the Mauri Compass including richness, abundance, and health of taonga (treasured) species have been particularly developed for marine life forms like koura, paua, kina and other taonga species.
Detailed exploration of Mauri Compass applications
The calibration of the Mauri Compass for marine areas included pioneering work to incorporate key marine species and indicators, enhancing the model’s applicability to environmental management. Challenges such as weather events and global health crises necessitated the creation of a generic template for broader usage. The educational aspect, including accreditations for assessors and students, underscores the commitment to preserve the integrity and longevity of the model. An online learning platform, complemented by a mobile application, has been developed to support the dissemination and practical application of the model's principles.
Conclusion and future directions
The research underpinning the Mauri Compass demonstrates its effectiveness as a multidimensional tool that harmonises cultural knowledge with scientific insight to manage and protect marine resources. Despite obstacles, the collaborative effort has yielded a template that can be used as a benchmark for further development. The expansion to include more marine species and the development of hybrid learning formats are identified as future tasks. The utilised methodologies and the ongoing monitoring programme showcase a pathway towards comprehensive and sustainable marine stewardship.
The Mauri Compass framework, fine-tuned for marine ecosystems, originates from a research initiative aimed at integrating mātauranga Māori with Western scientific knowledge. This tool is pivotal in aiding local communities and landowners to assess impacts on the mauri of their natural resources. The model has been adapted to factor in marine zones and species, thus expanding its utility. Attributes of the Mauri Compass including richness, abundance, and health of taonga (treasured) species have been particularly developed for marine life forms like koura, paua, kina and other taonga species.
Detailed exploration of Mauri Compass applications
The calibration of the Mauri Compass for marine areas included pioneering work to incorporate key marine species and indicators, enhancing the model’s applicability to environmental management. Challenges such as weather events and global health crises necessitated the creation of a generic template for broader usage. The educational aspect, including accreditations for assessors and students, underscores the commitment to preserve the integrity and longevity of the model. An online learning platform, complemented by a mobile application, has been developed to support the dissemination and practical application of the model's principles.
Conclusion and future directions
The research underpinning the Mauri Compass demonstrates its effectiveness as a multidimensional tool that harmonises cultural knowledge with scientific insight to manage and protect marine resources. Despite obstacles, the collaborative effort has yielded a template that can be used as a benchmark for further development. The expansion to include more marine species and the development of hybrid learning formats are identified as future tasks. The utilised methodologies and the ongoing monitoring programme showcase a pathway towards comprehensive and sustainable marine stewardship.
