Shared knowledge succeeds in protecting bird population

About this research

“….a very positive experience. We were able to preserve our mātauranga and build up our capacity in field work survey and monitoring methods along with gaining a new knowledge about our manu in the process.” Toko Renata, Chairperson of the Ruamaahua Islands Trust Cherished as a taonga by the Hauraki and Ngāti Awa communities, the oi or grey-faced petrel is a key component of the ecosystems on the Ruamaahua (Aldermen) Islands and Moutohorā (Whale Island). Like many of our other native birds, the oi’s numbers have decreased steadily over the last 50 years. A recent harvest of chicks indicated that the population has declined by as much as 87 per cent since 1950. The plight of the oi called for urgent action. To help find a solution, scientists have sought the help of birders, Ruamaahua Islands Trust members and mātauranga, the traditional knowledge of the local kaumātua. In 2005 a collaborative research project, Mauriora ki ngā Oi (Safe-guarding the Life Force of the Greyfaced Petrel), bringing together Hauraki, Ngāti Awa and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, was established through a Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga research grant. Leading the project, Dr Phil Lyver from Landcare Research has made many visits to the islands, amassed information from Hauraki residents, monitored harvests of the birds and closely tracked their movements between living and breeding areas. Crucially, resource management strategies that combine the different sets of knowledge have been developed to protect future breeding populations. These strategies will also assist with other bird populations on the numerous other islands that surround the New Zealand mainland, Phil says: “The shared work can really benefit the very long term ecological monitoring of our environment which is not possible through standard scientific approaches.” Toko Renata, Chairperson of the Ruamaahua Islands Trust, is equally happy with the outcome. “Western science worked for us not against us which made it a very positive experience. We were able to preserve our mātauranga and build up our capacity in field work survey and monitoring methods along with gaining a new knowledge about our manu in the process. Most importantly, this current body of knowledge will go towards creating a practical tool that we can use as kaitiaki to set sustainable harvest limits. Being able to strengthen our whanaungatanga links with Ngāti Awa and Rakiura Iwi through this project has also been a highlight.”