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At Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University), Aotearoa New Zealand, we have declared our stance as a Te Tiriti o Waitangi-led institution. This necessitates the embodiment and enactment of the principles and provisions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the embedding of Indigenous Māori knowledge, values and belief systems in curriculum design and implementation. This article outlines the beginning of our journey toward indigenizing our postgraduate public health curriculum at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa. We describe the redevelopment of the Master of Public Health curriculum that embeds mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), te reo Māori (Māori language), tikanga Māori (Māori values and belief systems), and Māori pedagogy (culturally sustaining teaching and learning practices). Here, we focus on how curriculum redevelopment and pedagogy have enabled the utility of Māori knowledge and processes to be reflected at every level of the program and give life and relevancy to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Te Tiriti o Waitangi guides our teaching practice and ensures that students can safely develop their confidence in Māori ways of knowing, being, and doing to effectively partner with Māori as Tangata Whenua. Our program aims to produce agentic graduates who are champions and advocates for Māori aspirations in health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utility of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledges) in Aotearoa|New Zealand Forest conservation is not particularly visible in research and policy. Indeed, current forest biosecurity processes are largely constructed from Western principles, values and scientific knowledge that are often devoid of Māori beliefs and values. While the interface between mātauranga Māori and mainstream science is still problematic, we argue that traditional Māori frameworks, ethics, and principles that capture local interests, perspectives, realities, and aspirations of Māori are mandatory to articulate modern solutions to taonga species and biosecurity issues. A mātauranga Māori approach draws upon physical, spiritual, and metaphysical values, providing a unique knowledge base in which to improve environmental management, including protection of biological heritage. By employing a pūrākau (storying) method that endorses personal lived realities as a means of knowledge transfer, we were able to elicit the meaning and value our participants give to te taiao (the environment), ngahere (forests) and taonga (heritage) species. We conclude that mātauranga Māori is a necessary discourse if the longer-term biosecurity strategic goals of Māori and the government are to effectively and efficiently result in collaborative priorities in forest health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ko te kauri he rākau rongonui, he rākau rangatira puta noa i Te Tai Tokerau. The kauri (Agatha australis) is a chiefly tree that represents strength and is an iconic symbol for Te Tai Tokerau, Northland, Aotearoa|New Zealand. This research was undertaken with whānau (kin group) participants based in Te Tai Tokerau to explore contemporary mātauranga (knowledge and wisdom pertaining to Māori, the Indigenous people of New Zealand) about the connection between the taiao (natural environment), ngahere (native forest), kauri and the hauora (health and wellbeing) of people. A summary of some of the key messages from participants is presented as four themes: 1) ūkaipō, the ngahere as a place of sustenance and renewal; 2) e kore te kauri e tū mokemoke, a holistic approach to caring for the forest; 3) barriers to caring for the forest and kauri dieback (Phytophthora agathidicida); and 4) transmission of mātauranga, the importance of sharing knowledge. Findings highlight opportunities for change and solutions that have the potential to enable the ngahere and health of people to thrive. This study illustrates how mātauranga Māori and Indigenous Māori psychologies can inform biodiversity approaches in Aotearoa|New Zealand, while also facilitating (re)connection with the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]