OUR PROJECTS
"We are the ancestors of our future generations,
We believe the global transition to net+ interactions with the environment begins at home and within our local communities.
We're working on several Indigenous-led projects focusing on knowledge sharing, growing, and planting.
Working with Indigenous Knowledge Holders, we are researching the impacts of viruses on our local biodiversity, the impact of technology on the environment, and understanding how these impacts must help us navigate towards Net+ futures for the sake of our descendants. "
NATIVE PLANT RESEARCH:
MEDICINAL | FOOD | FIBRE
NEW RESEARCH PROJECT 2024
KAUMOANA: Navigating Iwi led research regenerating biodiversity with aquaculture.
Addressing the growing need for representation of Iwi-led local environmental impact and restoration projects.
Project Partners: Te Atiawa, Ngapuhi Iwi.
School of Design & Innovation.
Funded by Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington - Faculty Strategic Research Grant SHEADI.
COMMUNITY RONGOA FOREST
Designed & Established in 2021 - ongoing.
We have a concept design for an urban Community Rongoa Forest. Rongoa is ancestral Māori knowledge of the medicinal properties of the native trees and plants.
Our forest will be QR coded with information about the trees and plants from a matauranga (knowledge) Māori perspective.
Understanding the ngahere (forest) as a healer we will be creating workshops and inviting local schools to come and share the knowledge of our tupuna.
Our aim is to establish local community ngahere heritage centres, learning about our reciprocal relationships with the forest and how this is beneficial for our health, medicinal, water and food systems.
TE AHO TAPU: A NEW SACRED THREAD
Research Team 2017
Project from 2021 - 2024
Establish industry (ongoing)
Documenting research of Harakeke (NZ native flax) creating new materials and textiles towards an unique circular material made in Aotearoa.
Documented from a Matauranga Māori perspective.
Our project partners are COCA Massey Textiles, Rangi te Kanawa & Agresearch.
TE MUKA TAURA & TE MARA O WAITAE
Research team 2022-2024
Establish industry (ongoing)
1. Documenting research of native plant and tree fibres and materials to dye Harakeke fibres naturally.
2. Planting and growing native trees specific to this process on Iwi whenua
Our project partners are COCA Massey Textiles & Ngati Tukorehe.
RARANGA RERENGA RAUROPI
2020
This project was the start of our community art projects based in the Whau district of Tamaki makaurau (Auckland) Aotearoa (New Zealand).
The concept was inspired by 3 Matauranga Māori concepts Māramatanga (enlightenment), Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) & Manākitanga (respect). We collaborated with community gardens to explore these concepts in practical applications on the whenua (land) Raranga Rerenga Rauropi.
This project was the first iteration and inspiration for the Community Rongoā Forest
This project was supported by Whau Local Board.