For our final seminar in our Mātauranga Māori series for 2024 – The Kūaka research collective with Dr Billy van Uitregt (Ngā Rauru, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Tūhoe) will showcase how indigenous knowledge traditions can engage effectively with scientists and other researchers engaging from outside of ao Māori.

An uri-based research team from Whanganui are building global research collaborations with Indigenous peoples and knowledge traditions that are connected through Kūaka (bar tailed godwits) and other migratory birds. Local bird enthusiast and wildlife photographer, Paul Gibson, has documented the intricate behaviours of one particular Kūaka that has been visiting the Whanganui river estuary each year since at least 2008. Paul’s personal connection and knowledge of AJD, as he is known by his leg tag, has formed the foundation of the research team’s approach to activating our local, national, global community’s care for AJD, Kūaka and migratory birds more broadly, toward the protection of their critical habitats locally and globally.

This will be an in-person event held in AM101 from 3-5 pm, Wednesday 11^th of September. Kai will be provided.

Unfortunately we have limited capacity for this event and it only works to run in person. To stop people missing out, we have a waitlist once spaces are full. If you register and cannot attend, then please cancel using the link in the confirmation email or email sent one day in advance.