Kia ToiTu He Kauri - Adaptive management of New Zealand Kauri (Agathis australis) by developing conventional forest biosecurity with indigenous knowledge and cultural practice

Abstract

Indigenous Peoples have vast traditional knowledge’s that are relevant to modern environmental management theories and practices including sustainable forestry management. Indigenous knowledge has an unknown value to contemporary biosecurity needs in our forests but offers significant opportunities for those states and jurisdictions that are prepared to resource Indigenous participation in this increasingly important and dynamic area. Given that all environmental concerns are, in some way, political-economic concerns, sustainability discourse sees a convergence of state, corporate, and community forces in the ongoing revision of such vital areas as biosecurity.

It is our assertion that the adoption of traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous practices is vital to the sustainable management and long term protection of the world’s forests. In New Zealand the adoption of Māori practices such as kaitiakitanga (stewardship) can enhance, inform and restore kauri (Agathis australis) forest resilience as part of New Zealand’s long term protection of the kauri ecosystem with the potential to extend out to and include other vulnerable taonga (treasured, sacred) species.

Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri) is considered a taonga (treasured, sacred) plant to New Zealanders partially because it is considered an ancestor of the Māori people and as such they have environmental obligations a kaitiaki (guardians) to protect these trees. The resilience and health of New Zealand Kauri, and its dependent ecosystem, is under increasing threat from; anthropomorphic disturbance and clearance; environmental stressors, and invasive species, such as the recently described plant pathogen kauri dieback (Phytophthora agathidicida). A biosecurity based long term management programme has been implemented in response to widespread phenomenon of kauri dieback and increasing tree mortality. Management methods include; phytosanitary measures to reduce soilborne spread, vector control, upgrading recreational visitor walking tracks, closing public access to some high value kauri areas and Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge, new and old) practices. Implementation of a bicultural paradigm to kauri protection has resulted in some successful synergistic social and conservation benefit for kauri, but has also been met with strong resistance and lack of recognition by some forestry managers and agencies.

This paper will discuss the need for the inclusion of indigenous people’s practices, methods and practitioners in modern forest management, leaning heavily on the progress, key learning's and next steps of New Zealand’s keep kauri standing – Kia ToiTu He Kauri programme. It will also look at the wider issue of the inclusion of indigenous practices, methods and practitioners in forest management.