SYMP 2-1
Mauri Piki, Mauri Tû, Mauri Ora: The integration of traditional ecological knowledge and systems thinking techniques to create the Mauri model
The 5 October 2011 grounding of the MV Rena is acknowledged as the worst environmental disaster in New Zealand’s history. The grounding and subsequent pollution had significant environmental impacts that were experienced in anthropogenic terms as impacts upon social, economic, and cultural well-being. The Ministry for the Environment responded with the Rena Long-Term Environmental Recovery Plan launched on 26 January 2012. The plan’s goal is to “restore the mauri of the affected environment to its pre-Rena state”.
Mauri is the life supporting capacity of an ecosystem inclusive of people who are an inseparable part of it. The goal of mauri restoration is significant as this positions the environmental recovery in conceptual terms aligned to the aspirations of the indigenous peoples of the affected area. The goal of mauri restoration is significant but also problematic as conventional ‘western’ decision making processes have historically been incapable of effectively including considerations of impacts upon mauri. Uncertainty has been introduced in these decision making processes as the ignorance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and indigenous epistemologies amongst consultants frustrates an effective response. The result has been constrained Indigenous peoples engagement leading to imperfect consideration of how impacts upon mauri should best be mitigated.
Results/Conclusions
The restoration of mauri requires recognition of important meta-physical considerations not otherwise included in conventional impact assessment. Further restoration assessment is required to remain relevant while different stakeholders are implementing responses based on their own priorities and processes. These stakeholders all understand disaster response from differing perspectives. The Mauri Model Decision Making Framework proved an ideal approach to investigate this challenge and determine the sustainability implications of disaster mitigation strategies that were promulgated.
The mauriOmeter was used to assess decision choices as indicators grouped in four equally weighted mauri dimensions that represent the ecosystem. The mauri dimensions equated to environmental, cultural, social and economic well-being acknowledging the holistic perspective of Indigenous peoples as acknowledged in New Zealand legislation. The impact upon mauri was determined as the change in life supporting capacity of the indicator being considered. Three assessments were required; the pre-Rena mauri state; the change in mauri since the grounding; and the relative contribution to mauri enhancement resulting from the different mitigation strategies.
Although locally derived, the simplicity and transparency provided by the Mauri Model and the universality of Mauri, its conceptual base, indicate that adaptation for use in different social and cultural contexts internationally is both feasible and highly recommended.