Maori Biodiversity Strategy Fact Sheet
BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY FUNDING - MATAURANGA MAORI
The
Government will spend an extra $2.35 million to increase iwi
and hapu participation in managing biodiversity in ways that
are consistent with customary knowledge (Matauranga Maori)
with the knowledge remaining the property of the particular
iwi or hapu. This funding is part of a comprehensive
five-year package involving conservation, environment,
fisheries and biosecurity, confirmed in this year's Budget
to support the Government's Biodiversity Strategy. Other
projects in the package will also provide opportunities for
Maori involvement as well as protecting biodiversity of
value to Maori and biodiversity on Maori-owned land, such as
the increased funding going to Nga Whenua Rahui as part of a
$37 million package to protect biodiversity on private land.
This funding links to the strategy's goal relating to
the Treaty of Waitangi and halting the decline in New
Zealand's biodiversity and will also support Government's
strategic goals of protecting and enhancing the environment,
and strengthening national identity and upholding the
principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
The project
The Matauranga Maori project will establish a new contestable fund to support iwi initiatives to increase their capability to retain and promote traditional Maori knowledge and its use in biodiversity management. The fund will also help increase iwi and hapu participation in processes for managing biodiversity in their rohe (area). It recognises that the use and protection of traditional knowledge is central to Maori participation in biodiversity management.
Under threat
The Biodiversity Strategy
identifies the under-use and ongoing loss of Matauranga
Maori about New Zealand's biodiversity as a key issue that
needs to be addressed for the strategy to be successful. A
wealth of knowledge has been lost and is in danger of
disappearing forever. Many kaumatua have reliable
traditional knowledge related to cultural activities and
experiences associated with New Zealand's native
biodiversity.
As New Zealand's biodiversity faces new
threats, Maori need resources to develop or acquire new
knowledge and skills to allow them to effectively
participate in biodiversity management.
Actions
The
existing Nga Whenua Rahui committee will administer the new
fund. In the first year, the committee will establish
criteria and administrative arrangements, and will call for
applications. From year two, funding will cover
administration and grants to selected projects.
While the
fund is available to Maori only, its use will result in
improved restoration and protection of New Zealand's
biodiversity, and more sustainable use of it by all New
Zealanders.
Community partnerships
Funding will allow the development of more partnerships between iwi and the Department of Conservation, and therefore more meaningful involvement of Maori in biodiversity management.
Funding package details
All figures are GST inclusive.
2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 Total
$40,000 $315,000 $665,000 $665,000
$665,000 $2.35m
For further information, please refer to
http://www.biodiv.govt.nz