Climate change and whenua Māori: A management perspective

This article is about the utilisation of whenua Māori in the context of climate change and its implications for owners, governors and managers of such lands. The article draws on existing literature and employs a whānau-centric methodology to discuss Māori land-owning entities and their awareness of, preparedness for and action on the matter of climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand. Forty-five survey respondents and interviews with three governors of Māori authorities provided data for the following research question: What is the state of Māori authority readiness for climate change and its effect on whenua Māori utilisation? Climate change represents an existential challenge, a phenomenon that has not escaped whenua Māori landowners, trustees and managers. Findings show that climate change awareness among Māori is high and brings additional complexity to Māori land use and decision-making with broader considerations to ensure the ecological stability and sustainability of whenua Māori. Māori are actively considering and implementing strategies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. Access to credible research, information and expertise; effective engagement with whānau and landowners; and finding solutions within Indigenous knowledge are identified as necessary factors to support whenua Māori decision-making.