He Mahere Pāhekoheko Mō Kaipara Moana–Integrated Ecosystem-Based Management for Kaipara Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand

Abstract

Indigenous peoples must be able to practice their ways of caring for their particular environment within their own belief systems, while also needing to understand western logic and systems, in order to work together efficiently. Navigating the divide between ontological and epistemological differences is challenging, and what this means in practice is unclear. This paper describes a framework of comanagement called He mahere pāhekoheko mō Kaipara moana – Integrated Kaipara harbour management – a model with the intent to connect and utilize indigenous Māori values and knowledge alongside principles of ecosystem-based management. He Mahere recognizes and accepts the validity of each philosophy of management on its own and does not co-opt Māori ideology. This framework successfully strengthens the position of Māori as partners in the management of the Kaipara Harbour, Aotearoa New Zealand and can inform ecosystem restoration concepts from grassroots society to the text of regional planning documents.