Wed 13 May 2015 9:25PM
Maori and state of cultural environment
Hi I work for the Otago Regional Council and have recently noted that there is a dearth of information about Maori perceptions of the state of the environment. StatisticsNZ acknowledge there is a gap in our understanding of these matters. http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/environment/environmental-economic-accounts/environment-domain-plan/maori-environmental-stats.aspx
My question is whether there are any plans to include questions on the (perception of) the state of culturally important wahi tupuna, nohoanga, taonga, or similar in the Maori question stream. Anette
Sophie Davies Mon 18 May 2015 4:00AM
@anettebecher have just moved this discussion into the "other" category :)
Sophie Davies · Fri 15 May 2015 1:45AM
hi @anettebecher thanks for starting up another discussion! In response to your question regarding Statistics NZ's plans to include questions on the (perception of) the state of culturally important wahi tupuna, nohoanga, taonga, or similar in the Maori question stream. As a result of the Environment Reporting Bill (ERB) Statistics NZ are now working with Ministry for the Environment (MfE) on joint national environmental reporting. The topics for the first Synthsis Report and likely measures can be found on the Statistics NZ website through this link
Under freshwater there are two topics that Statistics NZ and MfE would like to provide information on 'Cultural significance of the freshwater environment to Māori' and 'Access to and use of freshwater environments for customary materials and food '. However, as the Environment Domain Plan identified, it is quite challenging to find methodology and data to inform these topics, particularly at a national level.
Although challenging, Statistics NZ and MfE are working hard to identify appropriate information and are working with Māori to achieve this. A hui is being held in Wellington today to discuss Māori environmental information and reporting needs and how approaches like the Cultural Health Index can be used. It is our intention that over time collaboration with Māori will allow us to improve the information we provide.
If you would like to discuss Statistics NZ's approach to meeting Māori national environmental reporting needs further please feel free to contact [email protected]