Research Team
Staff
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
University of Otago, Dunedin
Mike Barker, Associate Professor, Marine Science Department. Mike has research interests in the ecology of marine invertebrates of value to fisheries and aquaculture, specifically paua and kina. His present research projects also involve ways of increasing the quality and value of kina to support their aquaculture and marketing. He has also developed methods for the culture of juvenile kina and for reseeding these into depleted adult populations. Read more about Mike's research interests and see his publications at the University of Otago's Marine Science web site. (03) 479-7988 mike.barker@stonebow.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. 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
Dr. Miles Lamare (Ngāti Rahiri Tumutumu, Hauraki) is a lecturer in the Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, with research interests in marine ecology, population biology, marine invertebrate biology, and the ecology and physiology of marine invertebrate larval stages. He has undertaken extensive research into Kina (the New Zealand sea urchin), as well as sea urchins from tropical and polar regions. Miles is the Māori Liaison representative for the Department of Marine Science. Fuller descriptions of Mile's research interests and publications are given at the University of Otago's Marine Science website. (03) 479-8336 miles.lamare@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
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 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 Chris Rosin is a Research Fellow at CSAFE and a member of the Social Research Objective of the ARGOS project. In ARGOS, he has contributed to the development, implementation and analysis of the qualitative interviewing programme with participating farmers and growers. His doctoral research (Geography, University of Wisconsin-Madison) examined the response of South American yerba mate producers to market pressures in MERCOSUR. His research interests include political ecology, convention theory and sustainable agriculture as well as strategies for co-management of natural resource. Chris is a co-supervisor of Daniela Serra's PhD project on customary fishing in Chile. (03) 479-5230 chris.rosin@stonebow.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
Dr Janet Stephenson, Professional Practice Fellow, Geography Department. Janet has a background in planning, working mainly in Tai Tokerau (Far North). Amongst other things, she was involved in a proposal for a taiāpure for the Hokianga Harbour! She now lectures in planning and environmental studies in the Geography Department at Otago University. Her research interests lie in three main areas. Firstly, how and why places are valued by people and communities, and the different conceptual underpinnings used by disciplines and cultures to assign significance to landscape/whenua. Secondly, the implications of energy constraints and climate change, particularly as they relate to planning for land use, environmental sustainability and human wellbeing. Thirdly, the implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for planning, particularly in relation to resources in which Māori have an interest. Janet is co-supervising Lisa Perry's Masters of Planning study of the enablers and barriers to establishing and managing mātaitai and taiāpure. js@geography.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
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 pāua, kina, tuangi (cockle) and blue cod populations at varying densities across several regions and 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
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
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
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
Administration
Nicola Morand, Research Team Manager (Kāi Tahu) is responsible for co-ordinating and managing the work of Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai and facilitating its interactions with collaborators and stakeholders. Nicola has a background in management and has worked within an Iwi structure and with Kaitiaki. (03) 479-3928 nicola.morand@otago.ac.nz
Dorothy Scott, Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa (CSAFE) is the Administrator for the Centre, and is providing assistance to Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai. Dot helps with much of the general administration of the project. She maintains the mailing lists and Email network, helps transcribe interviews, orders material and keeps track of our accounts. She is also the main person you'll hear on the phone when you call Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa. (03) 479-5220 dorothy.scott@otago.ac.nz
Past Contributors
The following colleagues have contributed to establishing Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai and researched for its kaupapa, but sadly are no longer with us.
Past researchers
Mark Haggerty came to Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai from the Sonoran Institute in Montana where he facilitated community based and collaborative land use planning efforts across the US Northern Rockies. Mark's interests and work for Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai included the use of online and interpersonal networking tools and facilitation of community-based environmental management efforts. The TMK Website was largely setup by Mark and could not of been done without him!
Dr. Simon Lambert (Ngati Ruapani, Tuhoe). LandCare/Manaaki Whenua, Simon's PhD investigated 'The Expansion of Sustainability through New Economic Space: Maori Potatoes and Cultural Resilience'. He whakapapa's to the marae Te Kuha and Waimako near Lake Waikaremoana and is a current committee member of Tahuri Whenua, the National Maori Vegetable Growers Collective. His research interests include the social ecological resilience of marginalised communities, management of deviant knowledge, sustainable water technologies, drug geography, and the diffusion of innovations. He was the Canterbury regional coordinator for the Tu Mai Paerua Maori and Indigenous Doctoral Mentoring Programme, initiated by Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga. Simon maintains a blog on Maori Ecopolitics .
Past administrators and team managers
Eric Davies, Centre Manager, Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa (CSAFE) Eric oversees the management of CSAFE and is providing support to Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai. Eric has previously worked in the International Office at the University and thoroughly enjoys helping to keep Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai running smoothly. He manages finances and contracting, human relations and the relationship between Kā Rakahau o te Ao Tūroa and the rest of the University of Otago.
Greig Hinds, Research Manager (Interim): Greig provided support to the various projects through meeting management, drafting, editing and proofing, and general research assistance. Greig was originally from Auckland and recently returned to New Zealand from four years as a research manager with the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto. Prior to that, he spent two years as part of the in-house legal team for a power generation development company in Hong Kong.
Past student interns
Gemma Green is from Auckland and is doing a Postgraduate Diploma in Wildlife Management. Her course work includes WLM403 'Practice of Wildlife Management' placement with a mātaitai management team (probably at Tauranga). She will spend 6 weeks working on site with the management team and contribute to and write a formal report about a specified project in that time. She is particularly concerned with the sustainable harvest of species and wise use of natural resources. Check out the description of the placements at our Research Opportunities page. If your management team would be keen to host such a student in future, contact Henrik Moller on (03) 479-9244 or (027) 226-8688 or by Email to henrik.moller@otago.ac.nz
Past Vacation Bursary students
Julian Moller, is a Computer Science student at Otago University, and recently finished his second year of study. Julian held a vacation bursary provided by CSAFE to work on the Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai website; developing web based interfaces for research databases, and working on other features for donations and endnote libraries. esyst@es.co.nz
Joanne Lander completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Anthropology at the University of Otago in 2007. Joanne was granted a summer vacation research bursary by Otago University's Division of Humanities to work with Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai's research team at CSAFE. With an interest in cultural well-being and relationships with the environment, Joanne became involved in a range of research activities including assisting with collation and analyses of primary material relating to enablers and barriers to establishing mātaitai and taiāpure in Aotearoa. Joanne also helped edit the first issue of Kai Kōrero, the project's magazine. lanjo774@student.otago.ac.nz
Emma Shaw, is studying zoology and botany at Otago University. She was awarded a summer vacation bursary funded by The University of Otago's Ecology, Conservation and Biodiversity Research Group for the 2007/08 summer. She asisted the mātaitai and Taiāpure fish surveys at Akaroa and Rakiura, and also helped prepare bibliographic databases. emmajaneshaw@gmail.com
Past Field workers
Hireke Phillips, is a second year student at the University of Canterbury. She is studying biology, focusing on the marine environment and Te Reo Maori. This summer she will be conducting a fishing survey for Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai and Te Whaka ā Te Wera Mātaitai community. This project is a jointly supervised by John Pirker and Henrik Moller and is funded by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Hireke's work for the survey is supported by a Tū Mai Rangihau Pūtaiao Summer scholarship awarded by Ngāi Tahu. frania@xtra.co.nz
Mikayla Dyer, is a second year biology student at University of Canterbury University. She is particularly interested in marine biology. Over the 2007/08 summer, she will be conducting a fishing survey for Te Tiaki Mahinga Kai and Te Whaka ā Te wera mātaitai community. This project is a jointly supervised by John Pirker and Henrik Moller and is funded by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Mikayla is employed by Kā Rakahau o Te Ao Tūroa for this work. mjd192@student.canterbury.ac.nz
