The Landmark Funding Announcement and Its Context
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, a leading Māori tertiary institution in New Zealand, has secured nearly $300,000 in research funding from the Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) Coastal People: Southern Skies. This grant supports the development and delivery of the Earth Science Kete project, aimed at providing hands-on climate change education to rangatahi—youth typically aged 12 to 24—and their whānau (extended families). The initiative is part of the broader Our Changing Coast research programme, a $13 million effort funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) running from 2022 to 2027. This funding underscores the growing role of wānanga in addressing pressing environmental challenges through innovative, culturally grounded education in New Zealand's higher education sector.
Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi: A Pillar of Māori Tertiary Education
Established in Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty, Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi is one of New Zealand's three wānanga, tertiary institutions dedicated to delivering education based on mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems). Offering programmes from foundation certificates to PhD levels, it specialises in areas like environmental sciences, te reo Māori, health and wellbeing, and cultural development. The wānanga's mission emphasises connecting learners to āhuatanga (ancestral knowledge), tikanga (customs), and practical applications that benefit communities. Its research arm focuses on mahi rangahau (research work) that bridges traditional Māori perspectives with contemporary science, making it uniquely positioned to lead on climate initiatives.
Unpacking the Earth Science Kete Project
Led by Dr Mawera Karetai, of Kai Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha, and Rapuwai affiliations, the project will create interactive Earth Science kete—traditional Māori baskets reimagined as educational kits—for distribution to schools and communities. Starting with a pilot in the Bay of Plenty, these kits target coastal whānau disproportionately affected by climate change. The goal is to demystify complex earth science concepts like sea-level rise, vertical land movement, and extreme weather, fostering resilience and future-focused decision-making. As Dr Karetai notes, “The Wānanga’s focus... has been on using education to enable coastal whānau to address climate anxiety, build resilience, and prepare tamariki and rangatahi for the future.”
Hands-On Tools Empowering Practical Learning
Each kete is packed with engaging tools: coastal climate change games, earthquake shake tables to test building resilience, ice-melting experiments demonstrating sea-level rise, laser levels for observing land uplift or subsidence, emergency preparedness planners inspired by real events like the recent Whakatāne tsunami evacuation, and food resilience kits promoting local sustainable growing. These activities encourage rangatahi to connect directly with the whenua (land) and moana (sea), turning abstract threats into tangible lessons. Pilot runs have shown success with both youth and adults, proving the approach's versatility.
Blending Mātauranga Māori with Western Science
A core strength of the project lies in its kaupapa Māori (Māori-centred) framework, weaving mātauranga Māori, pūrākau (ancestral stories), and collective learning with western scientific methods. This holistic approach counters rangatahi cynicism from misinformation, building trust through experiential evidence. Research highlights how mātauranga Māori enhances climate resilience, drawing on historical adaptations to environmental shifts. For instance, iwi-led initiatives in the Bay of Plenty already integrate traditional knowledge for adaptation strategies.Learn more on the official project page.
Photo by Vivek Dhanke on Unsplash
Tackling Climate Anxiety in Rangatahi
In the Eastern Bay of Plenty, heavy rains trigger fears of flooding and slips among children, exacerbating climate anxiety. The kete directly addresses this by providing tools for understanding and planning, reducing uncertainty. Dr Karetai emphasises hands-on proof to foster evidence-based confidence, essential as Māori youth bear frontline impacts from rising extremes. Studies show such experiential education empowers rangatahi Māori activism and long-term kaitiakitanga (environmental guardianship).
Coastal Vulnerabilities in the Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty faces accelerating coastal erosion, inundation, and storm surges due to climate change, with sea levels projected to rise significantly by 2100. Māori marae and communities are particularly exposed, as seen in Maketū where low-lying areas flood regularly. A regional report details stronger rainfall gradients, more extreme events, and habitat loss affecting kaimoana (seafood) harvesting. This funding positions the wānanga to deliver targeted resilience-building.
The Pivotal Role of Coastal People: Southern Skies
Hosted by the University of Otago, CPSS is a CoRE connecting communities with interdisciplinary research for coastal ecosystem restoration under kaitiakitanga principles. With partners like Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, it drives programmes like Our Changing Coast, emphasising mana (authority) and authentic partnerships.Explore CPSS research themes.
Implications for New Zealand's Higher Education Sector
This initiative exemplifies wānanga's contributions to climate education within NZ's tertiary landscape, where institutions are mobilising for net-zero goals and community adaptation. By prioritising rangatahi hands-on learning, it aligns with national calls for culturally responsive curricula amid sector-wide climate scenarios projecting disruptions by 2100. It also highlights collaborative models between wānanga and universities, enhancing equity in research funding.
Future Outlook: Expansion and Lasting Impact
Post-pilot, the project aims to scale across Aotearoa's coasts and the Pacific, securing further partnerships. Expected outcomes include stronger whānau resilience, informed planning, and a new generation of climate leaders. As Dr Karetai states, “What is good for Māori is good for everyone,” promising widespread benefits. This positions Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi as a trailblazer in Māori-led climate education.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Community Engagement
Community feedback from pilots praises the kete's accessibility, with adults also benefiting. Experts advocate for more mātauranga Māori integration in adaptation, as seen in iwi strategies.RNZ coverage highlights local voices. In higher ed, this fosters interdisciplinary ties, vital for NZ's climate response.
