How does the Mauri Compass work?

​The Mauri Compass:
  • is a mātauranga Māori tool for assessing the mauri of water. Mauri is the life force or essence of all living and non-living things.
  • uses a cultural framework that works to promote, protect and enhance the mauri of any river, lake, aquifer or ocean.
  • consists of three kete. Each kete has four attributes that measure different aspects of the mauri of water.
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Te Ao Māori (People)
  • Tangata whenua and how strong is the connection to the waterbody
  • Tikanga, how prevalent are the cultural practices with the waterbody
  • Wairua, how strong are the spiritual connections with the waterbody
  • Mahinga kai, is mahinga kai practiced.
Te Ao Taiao (Environment)
  • How natural is the habitat in and adjacent to the waterbody
  • Biodiversity, diversity of the plant and animal life associated with the waterbody
  • Biohazards, how germ free is the waterbody
  • Chem-hazards, how free of chemical pollution is the waterbody.
Te Ao Wai (Water)
  • Kai species richness
  • Taonga/Sentinel kai species abundance
  • Taonga/Sentinel kai species health
  • Catchment health.
 
  • is applied by Accredited Assessors who visit the water site and score each indicator on a scale from 0 to 5. The scores are then plotted on a radar chart that shows the shape and size of the Mauri Compass for that site.
  • can be used to compare the historic, current and aspirational state of mauri of a water site, as well as to identify actions and solutions to restore the mauri of water to its desired state.
  • can also be used to monitor changes in the mauri of water over time and across different sites.
  • has been used successfully by Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tawhirikura, the Wi Pere Trust and the Gisborne District Council
  • has been used successfully in an Environment Court Hearing
  • Report provided the Taranaki Regional Council with the opportunity to engage with the iwi and learn more about Te Mana o te Wai, mātauranga Māori and the importance of mahinga kai, the prominence and priority of which are new requirements in the NPS-FM 2020.

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