Empowering Māori knowledge in marine decision-making

Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and knowledge system) and te ao Māori (Māori worldview approaches) are often poorly understood and marginalized in marine planning, management, and decision-making.

There are documented benefits to incorporating mātauranga and te ao Māori worldviews into decision-making. In addition, local and central government agencies have Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations, yet agencies have varying capacity and capability to fulfill them. Sustainable Seas research has shown that empowering Māori knowledge in marine decision-making is key to achieving fit-for-purpose, robust, and place-based outcomes that achieve community and business aspirations.