Science, Maori and Indigenous Knowledge

Learning Outcomes

• The course aims to examine Māori and indigenous knowledge from the perspective of their cultures, as well as their relationship and relevance to modern science.
  
  We do this through a number of topics, including:
  1. Understanding indigenous knowledge
  1. Relationship between science and knowledge from western, Māori and indigenous perspectives
  2. Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge)
  3. Creation traditions, mythologies and genealogy
  4. Traditional technologies and science
  5. Local knowledge and practices
  6. Traditional environmental (or ecological) knowledge
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2 (K1-7), GP4, GP5
  
  2. Resource management and partnership - Kaitiakitanga
  1. Mahinga Kai - resources/food gathering areas
  2. Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the Resource Management Act
  3. Marine Management Tools - Taiāpure, Mātaitai and Rāhui
  4. Co-management
  5. Mana whenua partnership
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2 (K1-7), GP4, GP5
  
  3. Multidisciplinary - Interactions between Māori and Indigenous communities and science
  1. Earth Science
  2. Indigenous peoples, land and heritage sites
  3. Freshwater issues
  4. The Moa: what was the cause of its demise?
  5. Tātai Ārorangi: Astronomy
  6. Bioethics and cultural issues
  7. Issues concerning Māori health
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3(K1-7), GP4, GP5
  
  Graduate Profile | Āhuatanga Taura
  
  This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop these UC Graduate Attributes (GP) and Kaupapa (K):
  
  
• GP1 Critically competent in a core academic discipline.
  
• GP2 Employable, innovative and enterprising.
  
• GP3 Bi-culturally competent and confident:
  
• K1 A process of self-reflection on the nature of ‘knowledge’ and ‘norms’
  
• K2 The nature of contemporary Māori organisational structures e.g. rūnanga, hapū, iwi, iwi corporations
  
• K3 Traditional and contemporary realities of Māori society e.g. tikanga and kawa, te reo Māori
  
• K4 The Treaty of Waitangi and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Bicultural history
  
• K5 The process of colonisation and globalisation
  
• K6 Other Indigenous models of development, knowledge and behaviours
  
• K7 Application of bicultural competence and confidence in a chosen discipline and career.
  
• GP4 Engagement with community.
  
• GP5 Globally aware.
  
  Transferable skills | Pūkenga ngaio
  
  
• Gain a basic understanding in Māori and indigenous people’s knowledge in astronomy, physics, conservation biology, resource management and health sciences.
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-7), GP5
  
• Gain an understanding of protocols that exist between today’s scientific communities, Māori and other indigenous peoples.
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-7), GP4, GP5
  
• Provide you with a unique perspective both in indigenous knowledge, western science and their overlap.
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-7), GP4, GP5
  
• Provide graduates with an essential background in cultural awareness, increased cultural confidence and its relationship with today’s New Zealand scientific community.
  Related graduate attributes: GP1, GP2, GP3 (K1-7), GP4, GP5

Restrictions

Equivalent Courses

For further information see School of Biological Sciences .