The Watchful Ones
We are the watchful ones
Our name, Te Tira Whakamātaki, means “the watchful ones”, a name gifted to us by Matua Kevin Prime in 2016. We are an Indigenous, Māori environmental not-for-profit based in Te Waipounamu (South Island) of Aotearoa New Zealand.
With te ao Māori at the heart of our work, we aim to ensure Māori communities, and Indigenous peoples, have access to information, advice and training that supports and enhances their environmental aspirations, helps restore balance to our natural world, and re-establishes a reciprocal relationship with Papatūānuku (Mother Earth), embedded in our ancestor’s knowledge of the environment, our Indigenous philosophies, and science.
Te Tira Whakamātaki is home to the biosecurity technicians for the National Iwi Chairs Forum and the home of the Māori Biosecurity Network, the International Indigenous Youth Network and Tikanga a Rangahau, The Māori Ethics Committee.
Tikanga
a Rangahau
Ngā Taura Ki a Papatūānuku
Whare Taonga
Te Wānanga
Whakamātaki
Māori Research
and Ethics Committee
International Youth Network
Seed Bank
Māori Biosecurity
Symposium
Ā Mātou Mahi
Our Work
Our work contributes to our vision of a world where Indigenous peoples & solutions are valued in the fight to protect nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on earth.
We have four broad areas of work.
Research
We conduct and support research that benefits the environment and our Māori and Indigenous communities. This includes contract work.
Education
We work to develop environmental capability and capacity expertise for the protection and restoration of our natural world (taiao).
Engagement
We build a network of kaitiaki across Aotearoa and support agencies to engage appropriately with Māori and Indigenous peoples in the environmental system.
Advocacy
We create spaces and places for sharing ideas, shifting systems, and mobilising communities and individuals committed to decolonizing the environmental system.
Ō Mātou Tāngata
Our People
Our team of biosecurity technicians, kaitiaki, kaumatua, kuia, tohunga, Māori researchers and policymakers are woven through our communities, committed to our Mother Earth through Indigenous-led knowledge systems.
Pictured left to right, Melanie Mark-Shadbolt, Dr Amanda Black and Dr Nick Waipara
Ā Mātou Whanonga Pono
Our Values
Te Tira Whakamātaki is a values-based organisation.
Our work is guided by the values set by our Kāhui Rangatira.
Tohungatanga
Acknowledging and elevating Māori experts, kaitiaki, knowledge, tikanga in environmental spaces.
Manaakitanga
Upholding the mana of everything and everyone with kindness, generosity, respect, decolonisation, and equitable practices.
Whanaungatanga
Fostering reciprocal relationships built on the intention of strengthening connections, especially between people and the taiao.
Rangatiratanga
Asserting Māori rights, sovereignty, and law in everything we do.
Kaitiakitanga
Acting on our responsibility and right to care for and protect the taiao.