The Spark of Controversy: A $156K Kūmara Garden at Massey University

A recent exposé by the New Zealand Taxpayers' Union has ignited debate over a Massey University-led project called Te Māra Tautāne, funded with $156,132. The initiative involves revitalizing a traditional 3x3 meter kūmara (sweet potato) garden in the Rūātoki Valley, Te Urewera, as part of efforts to reconnect Māori communities with ancestral land practices. Critics question if this qualifies as 'science,' while defenders highlight its cultural and ecological value in New Zealand's higher education landscape.

The project sits within the Biological Heritage National Science Challenge (NSC), a government-funded program that allocated $63.7 million to explore biodiversity and forest health through diverse lenses, including Te Ao Māori perspectives. Massey University administered the funding under the 'Mobilising for Action' theme of the Ngā Rākau Taketake stream, emphasizing human roles in environmental wellbeing.

Understanding Te Māra Tautāne: Cultural Roots and Modern Revival

Te Māra Tautāne, translating to 'garden for men' or ceremonial garden, is a small plot nested within larger communal māra kai (food gardens). Historically planted at the heliacal rising of Matariki (Pleiades), it honors Rongo, the atua (deity) of cultivation, and Matariki stars like Tupuānuku (earth mother for kūmara) and Tupuārangi (sky father). Produce—exclusively kūmara, deemed the 'garden of the gods'—was offered to these entities to ensure bountiful harvests and cosmic harmony.

Land loss, including Tūhoe's 1865 confiscations reducing holdings to 15% by 1921, eroded these practices. The project at Te Rewarewa Marae marks the first māra tautāne in the valley in 300 years, revitalizing rituals, language, and ecological knowledge. Activities include karakia (incantations), planting, feasting, and installing pou (posts) representing atua.

Outputs comprise a storybook, 20-minute documentary by Lightshift Productions, and an ArcGIS StoryMap, fostering community storytelling and wellbeing.

Massey University's Role in Indigenous Knowledge Research

Massey University, through its Centre for Indigenous Psychologies, led the collaboration with Te Māhurehure hapū and University of Auckland researchers. Associate Professor Natasha Tassell-Matamua (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Makea), Director of the Centre, co-authored outputs and emphasizes indigenous psychologies alongside exceptional human experiences. Team members like Dr. Marie McEntee and hapū leaders Whaea Teina Boasa-Dean, Huka Williams, and Leela Uatuku drove on-ground efforts.

This aligns with Massey's commitment to Vision Mātauranga policy, integrating Māori knowledge into research for environmental and social outcomes. The university has secured Marsden Fund and MBIE grants for similar projects, positioning it as a leader in bicultural science.

For academics interested in such interdisciplinary roles, explore opportunities at higher-ed-jobs or university-jobs in NZ.

Gareth Hughes' Defense: Celebrating Māori Science

Former Green Party MP Gareth Hughes, now Director of Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, robustly defended the project on Newstalk ZB's Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive. He urged taxpayers to 'celebrate this Māori science' rather than criticize, citing OECD data on New Zealand's R&D underinvestment. Hughes argued for increased funding to support mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems), framing the kūmara garden as vital innovation.

Hughes' stance reflects his shift to wellbeing economies, advocating Māori-led approaches for sustainability. Debating Taxpayers' Union CEO Jordan Williams, he highlighted cultural-spiritual dimensions over fiscal scrutiny.

Photo by Alan Chen on Unsplash

Taxpayers' Union Critique: Waste or Legitimate Investment?

Jordan Williams labeled the spend 'equivalent to nine years of average Kiwi income tax,' prioritizing lab-based biosecurity research. The Union questions accountability in NSCs, where Māori perspectives blend with science, and notes media hesitation due to cultural sensitivities. They contrast it with prior controversies like $4M whale song for kauri trees.

While outputs like videos offer intangible benefits, critics seek empirical metrics on biodiversity impacts, echoing calls for rigorous evaluation in university-funded initiatives.

The Mātauranga Māori Debate in New Zealand Higher Education

This controversy taps into a polarized discourse since the 2021 Listener letter by seven University of Auckland professors opposing mātauranga Māori's parity with science in curricula. Proponents view it as complementary—holistic, place-based knowledge enhancing Western empiricism—while skeptics fear pseudoscience dilution.

• Mātauranga Māori: Empirical observations (e.g., kūmara biosecurity via rituals) integrated with spiritual whakapapa.
• Western science: Falsifiable, replicable methods.
• Hybrid approaches: NSCs model, fostering conservation via cultural incentives.

Massey exemplifies integration, with projects yielding ecological insights like seasonal cycles and interconnections.

Funding Mechanisms and Accountability in NZ Universities

NSCs (2012-2024) invested $773M across 11 challenges, emphasizing co-design with iwi. Post-NSC, Endeavour Fund and Vision Mātauranga sustain Māori research at unis like Massey, which received multiple MBIE grants.

Challenges include transparency: Outputs like cultural videos hard to quantify versus patents. Solutions: Peer-reviewed metrics blending qualitative wellbeing data with biodiversity stats. For researchers, crafting strong CVs aids grant success.

Impacts and Broader Implications for Stakeholders

For Tūhoe: Revived cohesion, language, mental wellbeing; concentric effects on youth engagement. Environmentally: Promotes kaitiakitanga (guardianship), potentially aiding taonga species via motivated communities.

Universities: Bolsters bicultural credentials, attracts diverse funding/talent. Taxpayers: Demands balanced portfolios—cultural ROI alongside hard science. Academics rate professors on such projects via Rate My Professor.

Photo by Bekky Bekks on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Bridging Knowledge Systems in Higher Ed

As NZ universities navigate post-NSC funding, hybrid models promise resilience—mātauranga Māori addressing holistic sustainability amid climate challenges. Recommendations: Enhanced evaluations, public reporting, interdisciplinary training.

Explore faculty positions at Massey or career advice at higher-ed-career-advice. Internships via research-assistant-jobs offer entry into indigenous science.

This debate underscores higher ed's role in cultural reconciliation and innovation. For jobs, visit higher-ed-jobs, university-jobs, or post openings at post-a-job.