Concerns about geological hazards and climate change have led to Hawke's Bay iwi Ngāti Kahungunu forming a partnership with a Crown research institute.
A bird's eye view shows the Mohaka fault line, which runs through parts of Hawke's Bay. Photo: Dougal Townsend, GNS Science
A series of wānanga (workshops) are being held to help the tribe understand the impact of environmental risks in the area.
Listen to Eru Rerekura's report on Kura Whenua for Checkpoint
A core sample is taken with a soil auger. Photo: GNS Science
The Kura Whenua project is a unique partnership - it's the first time a tribal organisation and GNS Science have exchanged information about tribal mātauranga and scientific knowledge.
It has identified the Ngāti Kahungunu region in Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa as an area where evidence of the effects of climate change is starting to appear.
GNS Science's lead scientist with the project, Chris Hollis, said the tribal rohe was chosen for several important reasons.
"It's a fascinating area, it's a large area, it's the second largest tribal rohe for iwi in New Zealand," Dr Hollis said.
"It's an area that has a really interesting geological record. It's active geologically with earthquakes and tsunami hazards; the low coastlines make it at risk for rises in the sea level and climate change; and, also, currently, it's an area where there are issues around both ground water and petroleum exploration."
Dr Hollis, who is also of Ngāti Kahungunu descent, said as the kaitiaki of the largest tribal rohe in the North Island, the iwi took on board those environmental risk warnings and approached the agency about what action was needed.
"Kahungunu recognise that they needed expert advice on these topics themselves - so, in fact, we were open to the idea, but it was actually an approach from [the iwi] initially that promoted this initiative."
Ngāti Kahungunu's tribal region stretches from the Wairarapa (including Castlepoint, pictured) through to Hawke's Bay. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
A view back across some of Wairarapa's rolling hills from Castlepoint. Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Hopes project will inspire future scientists
Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated environmental analyst Ngaio Tiuka said the project was bringing clarity to whānau about what the area was susceptible to.
He said he hoped it would inspire other tribal members to work as scientists.
"It's important to provide information to Kahungunu whānau and hapū," Mr Tiuka said.
"This was one means of doing that and enabling whānau and hapū to build their own understanding and capacity ... and also being able to ask those questions directly to experts.
"We also want more Kahungunu scientists who can demystify the whole realm of science, because I think it can add value to our discussions, to our understanding of the environment, and ultimately to the decisions we make."
Mr Tiuka said a wānanga was held in November last year at Kohupātiki Marae in Hastings, where whānau had a chance to raise questions with scientific experts such as Dr Hollis.
Kohupatiki Marae kuia Aki Paipa shares her geological knowledge with her mokopuna. Photo: GNS Science
One of those at that wānanga, Aki Paipa, said it was a good reminder for whānau of what climate change and earthquakes could do to their land.
"We believe that Papatūānuku (Earth Mother), she's constantly on the move one way or another, whether we see it or not. In slow motion, she is moving," Mrs Paipa said.
"We have concerns here about climate change in regards to - how is that going to affect our coastline?"
Dr Hollis said the plan was to spread the word about risks and work with other iwi around the motu.
"We also recognise that there's more than one iwi in Aotearoa and so we are hopeful to roll out this programme to other regions as well."
There are two more wānanga planned for this project. Further down the track, GNS Science will also be providing scholarships for Māori to study environmental subjects.