Mātauranga Māori: What we're working on

The relationship between Oceanic peoples and cetaceans (whales and dolphins) is a sacred and significant one that has persisted throughout history. This project will examine the changing use, abundance, and diversity of cetaceans from the first arrival of people to Aotearoa New Zealand to the present.

This project will create a minimally invasive sampling technique to identify the animals used in manufacturing taonga tūturu, precious objects created by Māori artisans. This will substantially enhance the capabilities of the museum and heritage sector to find and engage meaningfully with the custodians of these taonga.

This research uses genetic techniques to provide insight into Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural past, providing new knowledge on interactions between Māori iwi by determining the translocation pathways of cultivated plant species.