Ethnobotany: Major developments of a discipline abroad, reflected in New Zealand

Abstract

Ethnobotany describes the relationship between people and plants. Research illustrating this relationship, both in New Zealand and abroad, is largely scattered throughout a number of disciplines including anthropology, botany and ecology. This review examines the ethnobotany field overall and evaluates the contributions made in three main areas of ethnobotanical research. First, the issues that have arisen in the field of ethnobotany globally and the changes that have taken place are analysed. Second, details of the relationships between Māori and New Zealand plants and how these issues may affect research undertaken in New Zealand are outlined. Third, future research avenues and opportunities in ethnobotany are defined. To explore theories which underpin the use of plants, the focus needs to shift from historical analyses of plant uses to a better description of what is occurring today. Increasingly, ethnobotanical research will require the application of scientific rigour, interdisciplinary collaboration and working with communities.