Te Kahu o Taonui
Te Rarawa’s Me He Wai project enables marae to manage their own environmental data. The project has combined the geospatial capabilities of GIS with on-the-ground monitoring. This has enabled marae and the iwi to pinpoint water quality issues. The Māori owned Takiwā led by Mike Taitoko was a partner in developing the project. This video describes the project.
GIS
This GIS resource is designed to support kaitiaki and iwi practitioners in Te Tai Tokerau with practical knowledge and tools for using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in environmental management and advocacy. It introduces GIS as a powerful technology for collecting, storing, and visualizing data about the whenua, enabling users to monitor environmental changes, plan management strategies, and communicate effectively with iwi, hapū, and councils. The guide emphasizes the value of combining mātauranga Māori with modern mapping tools to support kaitiakitanga and strengthen iwi authority over natural resources.
The document provides clear explanations of key GIS concepts, outlines the main platforms available and offers step-by-step guidance for accessing and downloading data layers, such as those from the Northland Regional Council. It highlights sources of help specific to Aotearoa, including expert networks and community practice, and showcases real-world examples of how iwi are using GIS for projects like water quality monitoring and kauri protection. Additional resources, such as glossaries, StoryMaps, and ecosystem restoration tools like Eco-Index, are included to help users build confidence and capability in applying GIS for the benefit of their people and the environment
