Building capability at the intersection of science Pūtaiao Māori and Mātauranga Māori

30 March, 2021

Whakarewarewa project Research Assistants Ben Nielsen and Juliet Nelson at Te Papa, where they met with Head of Experience, Design and Content Frith Williams.

The arrival of Covid has had a significant impact on the tourism industry. As a result many businesses have had to pivot and develop new business approaches.

Our Partner Whakarewarewa Village is developing new and innovative approaches in response to the new tourism environment. We've continued to work closely to develop an education exhibit that showcases the Village, aligns materials science analyses alongside Mātauranga Māori that explores the synergies of these two knowledge systems. Planning is already in place to share the research that's been conducted in the village openly in a variety of ways, including Wānanga, educational resources and other outreach through local schools.

Two joint research papers about the research and work conducted were accepted for the World Geothermal Congress planned to run in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2020. The Congress has been postponed to 2021.