Research Team

Staff

University of Otago, Dunedin

Dr. Henrik Moller, Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai Project Co-ordinator.

Henrik is a passionate advocate of conservation through sustainable use of land and resources. Much of his 25 years of research and teaching of environmental management has sought to empower individuals, families and local communities to achieve more sustainable and resilient lifeways. Henrik’s research and collaborative learning approaches to enable ‘bottom-up’ approaches for improved environmental and social wellbeing has been complemented by ongoing advice to national-level policy makers for improved management of both production landscapes and Protected Natural Areas. Henrik has applied population and community ecology to identify practical tools and strategies for efficient pest control, conservation and sustainable land and resource management. He has published over 100 peer reviewed papers on topics ranging from experimental design, mathematical modeling, interface of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (Mātauranga Māori) and science, environmental indicators, invasion ecology, invertebrates and seabirds. Henrik has placed a lot of emphasis on communication to wider society and individual resource users by co-authoring additional 200+ popular articles and unpublished reports, production of 4 educational packages, 3 educational videos and numerous press releases, feature articles for newspapers and newsletters to inform public debates on contentious issues of environmental management and sustainability. Since 1993 Henrik has had a special interest in promoting bicultural collaborative management partnerships for improved environmental management and research, partly to support kaitiakitanga (Māori environmental stewardship), but also to encourage fellow-Pākehā to become ‘native to this place’ called New Zealand/Aotearoa. He was born in Denmark, and as a member of Tangata Tiriti is committed to establishing a turangiwaewae for his 3 children by honouring the Treaty of Waitangi in the way he applies his work as an ecologist and environmentalist. Henrik is co-director of Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa (CSAFE), the University of Otago research centre that is the initial host of Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai. Contact Henrik on (03) 479-9244 or (027) 226-8688 or by Email to henrik.moller@otago.ac.nz.

Dr. Hugh Campbell, Director, Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa (CSAFE). Hugh is an advisor to Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai. In 1995, he became the Programme Leader of a series of research grants studying the emergence of commercial forms of ‘sustainable’ agriculture: including organic and Integrated Management systems. After 2000, Hugh has undertaken research programmes into the potential impacts of agricultural biotechnologies. All these programmes were funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology. In 2003, Hugh was part of the bidding team that secured the ARGOS project. He is currently co-leader of the Social Research Objective and is also the Chair of the Academic Research Committee in ARGOS. Hugh has two degrees in Social Anthropology and a Ph.D. in Rural Sociology. His research interests include rural sociology, agricultural change, sustainable agriculture, agri-food systems, new forms of rural/environmental governance and rural masculinities. (03) 479-8749  hugh.campbell@otago.ac.nz

Dr Phillipa Pehi (Ngāpuhi) is a Research Fellow at CSAFE working full-time on Te Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai. She has a PhD in psychology and experience in social and clinical psychology. She has worked previously as a deputy director for a residential therapeutic community for male offenders and as a counselor for Māori students as part of a support service at Otago University. Pip has also worked to support Māori postgraduate students to succeed in their studies. Her current research is in the area of Social and Cultural Well-being of people associated with Mahinga Kai (particularly mātaitai and taiāpure), environmental sustainability and governance. (03) 479-3928 phillipa.pehi@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Dr Janet Stephenson, joined CSAFE in mid-2008 as a Senior Research Fellow.  She is a social scientist who is particularly interested in how people and communities interact with their environments, and the dynamics of societal and environmental change.  She has a particular passion for working with people from other disciplines to develop new perspectives on thorny issues.

Janet is currently involved in the following research for TMK:

Matauranga and the RMA (funded by FRST). This project is led by the Cawthron Institute and aims to tackle some of the frustrations Mäori have experienced with the Resource Management Act process.

Tirohia he Huarahi: Plans, Power and Partnerships (Marsden Grant).  This is a 3-year project led by Henrik Moller and Janet that will be starting in early 2009.  

 Dr. Gerry Closs, studies freshwater ecology, the impact of introduced fish and native fish populations and movements in rivers, small estuaries and lakes. He combines a theoretical approach with practical applied ecology and is especially intersted in restoration of giant kokupou in the Mataura river as part of his contribution to the Mataura Mātaitai and the Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai project.  He looks forward to the time when there are many more mātaitai in our rivers and lakes.  You can read more about Gerry's research and find a list of his publications at the Department of Zoology's website. (03) 479-7972 gerry.closs@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Dr Chris Hepburn is a Research fellow at the Department of Botany. His work focuses on coastal ecosystems in southern New Zealand and in particular the impacts of human-induced change (e.g. elevated CO2, nutrient loading, sedimentation) on the ecology and physiology of habitat forming species in coastal seas. He is currently conducting research within the East Otago Taiāpure and has published research on the productivity of kelp in Te Whaka a te Wera (Paterson Inlet, Rakiura/Stewart Island). FRST's Te Tipu o te Wānanga programme has funded his three-year research project on local variation in kelp/pāua/kina communities and the impact of this variation on harvesting bylaws.  hepburnc@planta.otago.ac.nz

Katja Schweikert came to Dunedin in 2001 after the completion of her master’s thesis, investigating the relationship of eco-physiological aspects and chemo-physical characteristics of alginate extracts in Germany and South Africa. Besides finishing off her PhD on cellular aspects of stress physiology of Porphyra (karengo) species, she works part-time at the Portobello Aquarium as an interpreter and educator. Katja's involvement with Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai includes developing a Marine Health Index (MHI) based on community knowledge. The model for a MHI will help Tangata Whenua to restore and protect their coastal environments already under Māori management (taiāpure and mātaitai), applying traditional Māori means. In the long term this will lead to sustainable management of taiāpure/mātaitai and sustainable harvest of kai moana. (03) 479-3928 katja.schweikert@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Mick Strack, lecturer at the School of Surveying, teaches land tenure, property rights and indigenous land issues for surveyors and resource managers. His almost completed PhD thesis examines the scope that the indigenous peoples of Canada and New Zealand have to claim property rights in their rivers, through an examination of the common law, the doctrine of Aboriginal rights and title, and through treaty provisions. His research interests include customary land use, property rights in land, rivers and the sea, public access to private and public lands and waters, land tenure reform, and sustainable land use; including urban design, energy planning and rural change. Mick is co-supervising Lisa Perry's Masters of Planning study of the enablers and barriers to establishing and managing mātaitai and taiāpure. mick.strack@otago.ac.nz

Dr. Steve Wing, Marine Science. Steve works on a wide variety of marine ecosystem and community interactions, population ecology and management.  He is a member of the East Otago Taiāpure Committee and has been much involved in establishing marine reserves in the Fiordland region.  He has also generated GIS maps of marine environments and identification guides for biodiversity monitoring, and established long-term monitoring plots at Te Whaka a te Wera (Patersons Inlet, Rakiura/Stewart Island). Fuller descriptions of Steve's research interests and publications is available at the University of Otago's Marine Science website.  (03) 479-9038.  steve.wing@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

Manaaki Whenua (Landcare Research), Christchurch

Dr Will Allen, Manaaki Whenua.  Will is an expert in collaborative learning and integration of science with society for sustainability.  Visit his 'Learning for Sustainability' website for a full appreciation of  the wide variety of work he does to involve local people in environmental  management problem definition and problem solving. Will is a primary mentor to Dr Pip Pehi in the research team.  AllenW@landcareresearch.co.nz

Dr James Ataria (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu,Ngāti Tūwharetoa)  has a PhD in Environmental Toxicology and is a researcher in the Built Environments Team at Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. He specializes in determining the effects of environmental contaminants on species living in polluted environments – especially contaminated freshwater ecosystems. He is involved in initiatives to increase Māori capability in the field of environmental research and is working with a number of iwi around the country on collaborative research projects.  James believes that managing the sustainability of our environment is particularly important to Māori who have a historical connection with their natural resources that is built on respect and resource use.  He hopes that his experiences and knowledge will in some way contribute this association continuing into the future. (03) 321-9606  Fax (03) 321-9998 AtariaJ@landcareresearch.co.nz

University of Canterbury

Dr John Pirker, Ngāi Tahu, School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.  John is a marine ecologist with a special interest in supporting kaitiakitanga and involving mātauranga Māori and science in partnership.  He has assisted the Kaikoura whānui in monitoring the success of their temporary closure and he is on the scientific advisory Board supporting the Akaroa Taiāpure. He previously worked for NIWA and currently teaches biometry and marine ecology. +64 3 364-2987 ext 3050 john.pirker@canterbury.ac.nz

Partners

Jonathan Dick, has worked closely with Maori communities across the motu (country) to deliver outcomes in the fields of resource management, fisheries management and the settlement of historcial Treaty claims. He is passionate about applying traditional Maori methodologies to solve contemporary  environmental challenges. He is experienced at weaving together outcomes for Tangata Whenua to enhance their role as Kaitiaki.

Jonathan recently finished working with the Ministry of Fisheries where he established te Kahui Pou Takawaenga, a Team of Maori Fisheries Analysts. The Pou Takawaenga have been trained to assist Tangata Kaitiaki to use the tools available under the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Customary Fishing Regulaltions to achieve their Kaitiakitanga aspirations.

Jonathan grew up along the East Coast under the korowai of Te Whanau a Rongomaiwahine and Ngati Kahungunu. He is currently the Chairman of the Guardians of Hawkes Bay Fisheries which is a multi stakeholder group of Tangata Kaitiaki, Recreational Fishers, Commercial Fishers and Environmental representatives.

Students

University of Otago

Julie Futter, completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Wildlife Management in 2007 and is carrying out a Masters ‘by thesis only’ in 2008.  Her thesis topic will be “Assessing the reliability of Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) as an estimator of actual abundance”.  She will survey actual abundance of toheroa populations at varying densities across several sites.  This will then be compared with data to assess the CPUE index’s accuracy and predictive power.  CPUE may be a relatively inexpensive and rapid method for monitoring trends in stock, but it may also be very misleading if there is not a directly proportional relationship between CPUE and abundance.  Julie’s research is supervised by Steve Wing and Miles Lamare.  futju222@student.otago.ac.nz

Ani Kainamu, (Ngāpuhi) is hoping to do a Masters in Marine Science starting in 2009.  Her thesis topic will be “Te oranga pai o nga tuangi mo te uri whakaheke: The future sustainability of cockle populations” . In the meantime she will be developing the resources of this website and writing a version of it in Te Reo.  Ani's research will be supervised by Khyla Russell, Henrik Moller and Stephen Scott.  ani_kw@hotmail.com

Ang Mckenzie, Masters in Applied Science: Thesis: "The Cultural Construction of Responses to Māori Managed Marine Environments".  Angela is based at Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa, but is living in Marlborough while doing her field work.  She is researching in the areas of alternative approaches to natural resource management, social sustainability, traditional ecological knowledge, and environmental subjectivities. Angela has a background in environmental anthropology; with a special interest in environmental worldviews and the intersections of the environment and society. Ange's research is supervised by Hugh Campbell and Henrik Moller. angela.mackenzie@otago.ac.nz

 Derek Richards, started a Masters in Marine Science in late 2007. His thesis topic will be "Environmental influences on rocky reef habitat, kelp forest productivity and pāua/ kina populations".  His measurement of links between algal productivity and (i) growth rates (ii) abundance and (iii) size of pāua and kina will help mātaitai and taiāpure managers to set local bylaws to maximise harvest levels while ensuring sustainability.  He hopes to research in the East Otago Taiāpure, Otago Harbour and Te Whaka a Te Wera Mātaitai areas.  Derek's research is supervised by Miles Lamare and Steve Wing. ricde123@student.otago.ac.nz

Anne-Marie Jackson (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua) first held a Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga research internship over the 2007/08 summer to examine the public submissions for various mātaitai and taiāpure within New Zealand.  This has led onto her PhD study of bariers to establishing mātaitai and taiāpure, funded by a FRST Te Tipu Putāiao Fellowship.  Anne-Marie’s background is in Physical Education, completing a Masters investigating the public submission process for school closures in Invercargill.  She has a particular interest in public submission processes and also promoting Māori worldviews and Māori health and well being.  anne-marie.jackson@otago.ac.nz

Daniela Serra, PhD candidate in Social Anthropology at Otago University. Daniela started work on her PhD in 2007 and her thesis is about the link between Traditional Ecological Knowledge of artisanal fishers (including communities in the indigenous Mapuche ethnic group) and the knowledge used by the government in the Management of Marine Resources in Chile.  She believes that the emerging forms of Maori initiated and led regulation of marine resources in New Zealand offers a positive model for informing her work in Chile. Daniela has a background in Social Anthropology, with a special interest in environmental anthropology and in promoting transdisciplinary approaches to the examination of ecological issues. Daniela´s research is supervised by Hugh Campbell and Chris Rosin. serda426@student.otago.ac.nz

Nick Hay: details to come

Nicole McCrossin: details to come

Rob Winn: details to come

University of Canterbury

Emma Källqvist, is in the initial stage of her Master of Environmental Science at University of Canterbury. Her thesis topic is “Who is catching what? Fishing effort and success of Mātaitai and taiāpure management areas”. Originally from Scandinavia, she has spent the last five years in New Zealand. Her background is mainly environmental management, biology and fisheries, with substantial amount of time on boats working with different cultures and marine issues. EMK26@student.canterbury.ac.nz

Management and Administration      

Susan Davies is the Centre Manager for CSAFE and oversees the management of the facilities, the administration team and all issues relating to personnel and finances for the Centre. She also assists with strategic planning for the Centre. Susan has a BSc (technology) degree from Waikato University in Earth Sciences.  Susan has previously worked in the Research Office at the University and thoroughly enjoys working in the actual research environment and keeping CSAFE running smoothly. (03) 479-9240 susan.davies@otago.ac.nz