Being wronged and being right: Meaningful Indigenous‐Māori discourses for enhancing environmental restoration

Abstract Indigenous participation in environmental management is essential for achieving just and effective ecological outcomes. This study investigates the positive discourses that support the integration of Te Ao Māori (the Māori world view) in environmental restoration practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. We introduce Kaupapa Māori Discourse Analysis —a novel qualitative approach combining Kaupapa Māori theory, critical race theory and discourse analysis—to examine how environmental restoration practitioners engage with Māori knowledge systems. Thirteen semi‐structured interviews were conducted with Māori and Pākehā participants involved in diverse environmental restoration initiatives across Aotearoa NZ. Two interrelated discourse themes were identified: (1) Māori as experts, which positions Māori as authoritative voices in ecological and relational knowledge; and (2) Māori as being wronged, which highlights historical and ongoing injustices relating to colonisation, land dispossession and exclusion from decision‐making. Policy and implications . Our findings challenge Western assumptions of neutrality and technocratic approaches to environmental restoration by showing how dominant discourses marginalise Māori perspectives and overlook Indigenous knowledge. Embedding Te Ao Māori in environmental restoration efforts supports more just, culturally grounded and ecologically effective outcomes in Aotearoa NZ and beyond. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.