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RA2 - Te reo o te waonui a Tāne: The language of the domain of Tāne

Acoustic restoration is an emerging field with significant potential that researchers internationally are studying

(Bhandawat & Jayaswall, 2022). 

Te Reo o te Waonui a Tāne is a groundbreaking research project investigating the relationship between sound and forest health. The first of its kind, it has the potential to revolutionise conservation and biosecurity, providing a non-toxic alternative for forest health 

Forests are alive with sound, the rustling of leaves, the calls of birds, the hum of insects. These natural soundscapes are more than just ambient noise; they are indicators of ecosystem health and vitality. But what happens when these soundscapes are disrupted or lost? Can restoring sound help restore our forests?
 
Drawing on both scientific research and mātauranga Māori, we explore whether specific sound frequencies, including natural soundscapes and bioacoustics, can aid in forest restoration.

Background | Whakapapa

The Role of Sound in Life

Sound is a fundamental part of the natural world (Valenti and Atlante, 2024). From the comforting rhythm of a loved one’s heartbeat to the soothing chirp of a Tui outside a Wellington office, sound connects us deeply to our environment and profoundly impacts our well-being (Goldsby and Goldsby, 2020). In many species, sound serves as a means of communication, navigation, and survival. Birds use song to establish territories and attract mates, whales communicate across vast distances, and even plants respond to vibrations in ways that influence their growth and resilience. The science of bioacoustics, the study of how sound interacts with living organisms, has uncovered new insights into how ecosystems function and how they can be restored. 

Scientific Foundations

Sound-based technology is not new. Telephones convert sound waves into electrical signals, while speakers and microphones capture and amplify sound waves. SONAR and echolocation technology, built from observations of bats and dolphins, helps the visually impaired, shipping and fishing industries and our military forces. We use ultrasonic motion sensors in our security systems, and ultrasonic pest repellents in our orchards. The building and manufacturing sector use ultrasound to detect material flaws in bridges, buildings and aircrafts, and acoustic levitation uses sound waves to suspend small objects midair in manufacturing. Ultrasound imaging, hearing aids, cochlear implants and sonophoresis are all typical uses of sound-based technology in our hospitals, and we use sound technology to penetrate both the earth as we explore its minerals and artifacts, and space as we look to map the universe. Sound-technology is set to explode further as we look to use it in virtual and augmented reality, and in medical diagnosis (e.g., echolocation for tumour detection).

Emerging research suggests that sound vibrations can influence cellular processes, hinting at a deep biological significance for all living things (Brun and Exbrayat, 2022). This is supported by studies which have demonstrated that sound frequencies can influence plant growth, metabolism, and immune responses (Hassanien et al., 2018). Research in bioacoustics (biology and acoustics) has shown that:

  • Certain sound waves can stimulate plant growth rates and resilience.

  • Acoustic enrichment can restore biodiversity in degraded environments. 

  • Low-frequency vibrations can enhance plant immune responses, reducing susceptibility to disease. 

  • Soundscapes influence animal behaviour, affecting the entire ecological balance of a habitat. 

While bioacoustics has been studied in various settings, Te Reo o te Waonui a Tāne is the first research project in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply these principles specifically to native plant species and explore their potential for conservation and restoration. 

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Hemi Waiwai at Tāne Mahuta.

The Idea | Whakaaro

 

Mātauranga

In 2017, members of the Te Tira Whakamātaki Kāhui (council of elders), including Hemi Waiwai, Jim Tahae Doherty, Kevin Prime, and Tohe Ashby, discussed the declining health of our forests. Koroua (elder) Hemi Waiwai noted that in te ao Tūhoe (the Tūhoe worldview) sound was the first act of creation. He hypothesised that ihirangaranga (frequency and vibration) could hold the key to restoring forest health. Koroua Jim Tahae Doherty added that the loss of bird song in Te Uruwera was a clear indicator of an unhealthy forest. Te Tira Whakamātaki (TTW) researchers, tasked by the Kāhui, sought to explore how this mātauranga could help in the fight against kauri dieback, a disease devastating New Zealand’s iconic kauri trees.

Science

In 2018, our researchers explored global studies on soundscapes in degraded ecosystems and found inspiration in coral reef research. Scientists had discovered that degraded reefs lose their acoustic complexity (Gordon et al., 2018)and by playing recordings of healthy reef sounds, they could encourage fish to return and improve ecosystem recovery (Gordon et al., 2019)If soundscapes could help revive coral reefs (Lau, 2024), could similar approaches help New Zealand's forests? 

 

Turns out yes it can. In 2018, Hassanien et al. noted that sound waves played at different frequencies, pressure levels, distances, and exposure periods could influence plant growth.  Moreover, the authors found that sound waves may stimulate the plant's immune system, bolstering its defences against pathogens. ​Studies into the effects of sound waves on plant diseases, or bioacoustics, are increasing across the globe, with scientists from across Switzerland, Egypt, China, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Australia and the Netherlands exploring this innovative field.  

Rongoā practitioner, whaea Midge (Ngāti Porou) , connecting with a kauri tree in Northland

Developing the Research | Whakawhanake Rangahau

When developing projects for Oranga, Māori communities frequently mentioned ihirangaranga as a concept they saw as valuable in the fight against kauri dieback. TTW researchers knew they didn't have the skills to develop a project focused on ihirangaranga so they approached Dr Valance Smith at AUT for assistance.  Te Reo o te Waonui a Tāne: the language of the domain of Tāne was developed by Dr Smith for the Oranga programme. It was subcontracted to AUT and given approximately 13% of the Oranga budget (1.5% of the Ngā Rākau Taketake budget).

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In 2018 acoustic enrichment, the practice of broadcasting healthy ecosystem sounds into degraded environments, was emerging as a promising tool in coral reef restoration. In 2019, a pivotal study was published in Nature Communications demonstrating that acoustic enrichment led to a doubling of overall fish abundance and a 50% increase in species richness on degraded coral reefs (Gordon et al, 2019), and further research by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (2024) has since found that broadcasting healthy reef sounds increased coral larval settlement rates by up to seven times compared to silent conditions, suggesting that coral larvae use acoustic cues to identify suitable habitats. Undoubtedly research indicates that this technique can significantly enhance the recruitment of marine organisms, thereby aiding in reef recovery.

The success of these studies spurred increased interest in experimenting with acoustic enrichment as a restoration strategy in terrestrial ecosystems. A concept known as 'acoustic restoration,' involving the broadcasting of soundscapes in disturbed terrestrial and aquatic areas to accelerate the recolonisation of animals and the microbes and propagules they carry, evolved. The approach, acoustic restoration, also serving as a valuable tool for benchmarking restoration initiatives and engaging communities. However, in 2018-19 acoustic enrichment (or restoration) in land-based biodiversity was still in its infancy. It has since expanded quite rapidly, as noted above, with scientists from across the globe exploring the potential uses of bioacoustics in animals, plants, climate and natural hazard science and technology. 

Dr Smith and his team worked the concepts of acoustic enrichment, acoustic restoration, and ihirangaranga together to come up with a project that aimed to kick start acoustic restoration work in Aotearoa using degrading kauri forests as their experimental playground.

Takapari Murray (local Kauri Ranger) and Shane Evaroa (sonic station designer and builder).

The Research Approach | Whakaaro

Sound-based restoration is an emerging field, with global studies highlighting its potential. However, gaps remain in our understanding of how specific frequencies influence native New Zealand ecosystems. This research explored: 

  • Whether healthy forests have distinctive soundscapes that contribute to ecosystem function. 

  • If degraded forests lack key acoustic features essential to ecosystem balance. 

  • How recorded soundscapes or acoustic treatments can influence plant health and restoration efforts. 

Research Aims 

The project aimed to:

✅ Investigate the relationship between forest soundscapes and forest health, identifying key acoustic differences between healthy and degraded ecosystems.

✅ Develop and test acoustic restoration techniques, capturing and transmitting forest soundscapes to support forest recovery efforts.

✅ Determine if specific acoustic treatments can strengthen plant growth and immune responses, offering an alternative to chemical inputs.

✅ Analyse Māori language, karakia (prayers), and waiata (songs) to uncover historical insights into forest health and explore whether archival materials provide clues about past soundscapes.

✅ Examine the intersection of forest soundscapes and te reo Māori, comparing contemporary forest acoustics with descriptions found in historical records, oral traditions, and lived memories.

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Expected Outcomes

✔️ A sound-based diagnostic framework for assessing forest health, identifying key acoustic indicators of ecosystem vitality.

✔️ Validated acoustic restoration methods that support forest recovery, tested in real-world conservation efforts.

✔️ Evidence on the impact of sound treatments on plant growth and immunity, offering a potential alternative to chemical inputs in restoration and agriculture.

✔️ A cultural knowledge repository documenting Māori perspectives on historical forest soundscapes through language, karakia, and waiata, strengthening Indigenous-led conservation practices.

✔️ A comparative analysis of past and present forest soundscapes, enhancing understanding of ecological and linguistic shifts over time.

✔️ Practical applications for conservation and policy, integrating bioacoustics and Indigenous knowledge into forest management strategies.

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Research Methodology

Dr Smith's research team employed research methods to bridge mātauranga Māori, contemporary science and technology. Their methodology included:  

✅Building Sound Stations: Developing sound monitoring devices to capture and deploy forest soundscapes, aiming to better understand the relationship between sound and forest recovery.

✅Data Collection: Recording and analysing forest soundscapes to identify the acoustic characteristics of healthy vs. degraded ecosystems. 

✅ Controlled experiments: Testing the impact of sound frequencies on plant growth and resilience, measuring physiological and biochemical responses. 

✅ Comparative Studies: Comparing contemporary soundscapes with historical records derived from Māori oral traditions, waiata, and archival texts to glean insights into historical forest health sounds.

✅ Field Trials & Monitoring: Conduct trials in degraded forest sites, using sound-based interventions (and counts) to assess biodiversity and ecosystem vitality, and their potential for ecosystem restoration.

✅ Community Engagement: Working with Māori, rangatahi (youth), landowners, and conservationists to co-develop practical applications of sound-based restoration and promote STEM. ​

RA2 Project Team and community reciting karakia with taonga puoro in Te Au Warawara forest.

Addressing Potential Criticisms​

Q) Is this just about playing whale songs to trees? 

A) No. While whale songs are included due to their cultural and ecological significance (and frequency), this research examines a wide range of natural and artificial sound frequencies to determine which have measurable benefits for forest health. 

Q) Why were whale songs picked to play to the trees? 

A) As a kaupapa Māori research project, communities, private landowners and rangatahi (youth) were empowered to participate in and lead research in their forests. This meant they worked on the design, testing and installation of sound stations. They monitored forests and captured data for the researchers, and they created their own unique soundscapes including whale soundscapes which typically sit at 10Hz-4kHz - their frequency for long-distance communication and social interaction.

Q) Is there scientific evidence that sound can impact plant growth?

A) Yes. Numerous studies in bioacoustics, plant physiology, and environmental restoration support the premise that sound waves influence biological processes. Our research builds on this foundation by applying these principles to native New Zealand ecosystems.

Q) How does mātauranga Māori contribute to this research?

A) Mātauranga Māori is central to this study. Historical references to sound in karakia, waiata, and traditional ecological knowledge provide unique insights into how past ecosystems functioned. This knowledge is woven into our scientific approach.

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Q) Why were Māori so involved in the research design and delivery? 

A) This research was collaborative because that was vital for securing permission to work in the kauri forests, to build capability at place, and inspire interest in STEM careers. It is also vital for ensuring the project is able to carry on beyond the contract. Non-Māori were not excluded but this research was conducted on Māori-owned and controlled land.

Q) Why does this research matter for Aotearoa New Zealand? 

A) Our ecosystems are under threat from deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Te Reo o te Waonui a Tāne offers a pioneering approach to conservation, aiming to: 

  • Protect & strengthen native plant species through sound-based restoration.

  • Bridge Indigenous and science knowledge systems for environmental management.

  • Reduce environmental impact by exploring non-chemical restoration methods.

  • Support Māori-led conservation initiatives by incorporating traditional knowledge into scientific practice.

  • Develop innovative tools for forest monitoring and restoration.

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RA2 Researcher Maree Sheehan teaching the rangatahi how to use the sound equipment

KEY TEAM MEMBERS

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Dr Valance Smith

Primary Investigator

Auckland University of Technology

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Joanne Murray

Community Lead | PI

Te Rūnanga o Te Rarawa

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Community

Pawarenga community

and others

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Ngā Rangahau Taki | Case Study:

Te Rarawa Whānau

Te Reo o Te Waonui exemplifies how Māori knowledge systems and contemporary technology can collaborate to address urgent environmental challenges, such as kauri dieback (kauri mate). Grounded in the Māori concept of ihirangaranga (vibrations) and oro (sound), this case study utilised soundscapes to explore forest health and vitality, while fostering community-driven ownership of cutting-edge technology.

Technology Development

By integrating modern sound technology with traditional ecological knowledge, the research team were able to develop custom-built sound monitoring stations, designed to capture and broadcast healing soundscapes to affected kauri forests. These stations include:

  • Sonic Equipment: A combination of geophones (to capture seismic vibrations) and binaural microphones (to mimic human hearing) records forest soundscapes, while specialised devices analyse the acoustic signatures of healthy and degraded ecosystems.

  • Solar-Powered Sonic Stations: Elevated poles with solar panels power speakers and mobile devices preloaded with soundscapes. These stations broadcast healing frequencies (see solfeggio and medical frequencies), as well as karakia (prayers), karanga (ritual chants), and taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments).

  • Healing Soundscapes: Carefully curated soundtracks feature local bird calls, vibrations tuned to 528 Hz which are known for their therapeutic properties, and whale songs. These soundscapes are designed in collaboration with community members and cultural experts whose lands we are working on, and aim to restore balance and mauri (life essence) to both kauri trees and their ecosystems much like the acoustic enrichment / coral reef soundscape work across the globe does.

  • Note: Our native birds have unique vocalisations, but pigeons and owls sit around 500Hz - 1.5 kHz.

 

Community Involvement and Ownership

Central to the success of Te Reo o Te Waonui is its emphasis on empowering local communities to lead and own the research and technology. This means:

  1. Co-Design and Leadership: The project was co-designed with Iwi and hapū in Te Rarawa, Northland, ensuring the research reflected local priorities and tikanga (customs). Community members participated in designing the soundscapes and constructing the monitoring stations, creating a deep sense of ownership and agency.

  2. Knowledge Sharing and Training: Kaumātua (elders) and traditional knowledge holders guided the integration of Māori perspectives, while researchers trained community members to use sound-monitoring equipment and analyse data. This reciprocal relationship preserved cultural integrity and built local technical capacity.

  3. Cultural Data Sovereignty: Data collected through the project remains under the control of local communities. All findings, sound recordings, and technology are shared in accordance with Māori tikanga, ensuring ethical stewardship and respect for Indigenous knowledge.

  4. Reporting Back to the Community: The project team and community collaborated to compose several waiata, which will be professionally recorded. These waiata convey the research findings. A film Te Piringa Whati Oro was created, and will be shared, alongside the outcomes and impact of this research, at a wananga in 2025. This approach upholds the principle of utu, emphasising reciprocity and ensuring the research is shared in ways that are meaningful and rewarding to the community

Outcomes from the Case Study

While there were many outcomes, the following are highlights:

  • Innovative Environmental Management: Te Reo o Te Waonui has introduced a unique approach to forest restoration by merging sound healing practices with contemporary science and modern technology. The use of soundscapes has already demonstrated potential in shifting forest health from mauri mate (unwell) to mauri ora (wellness).

  • Community Empowerment: By centring Māori voices and expertise, the project has revitalised traditional practices and provided tools for self-determination in environmental management.

  • Technological Advancements: The solar-powered sonic stations have proven effective in delivering long-term soundscapes to degraded forests, with potential applications in other ecosystems.

Sound is not just a by-product of movement or vibration,  it is an essential force that connects life, technology, and the environment. From language and music to science and nature, sound shapes our interactions with the world and drives innovation.

Ngā Hua me Ngā Putanga
Outcomes and Outputs

This project exemplifies how mātauranga Māori and contemporary science can collaborate to address urgent environmental challenges. Mātauranga Māori provides a holistic, relational perspective on ecosystems, emphasising connections and cultural insights, while science offers tools for empirical analysis and validation. Together, they create innovative, culturally grounded solutions, offering hope for protecting and restoring Aotearoa’s native forests.​ Te Reo o Te Waonui a Tāne is a powerful example of how we can honour both tradition and innovation in our fight against forest degradation via diseases like kauri dieback. 

Outcomes

This research has:

  1. Revealed that soundscapes play a crucial role in forest health and recovery.  

  2. Inspired new ways of understanding biodiversity through Māori linguistic and cultural lenses. 

  3. Built, tested and created practical tools such as sound monitoring stations to enhance acoustic restoration efforts.

  4. Laid the groundwork for future research teams, having built social and cultural license, as well as sonic and sound equipment fit for New Zealand kauri forest conditions. ​​

  5. Trained teams of volunteers at place who will continue to monitor their forests, gather and record data. 

The methodologies and insights from this work serve as a blueprint for future collaboration between Māori communities, researchers, and environmental practitioners to protect and restore Aotearoa’s unique ecosystems using acoustic restoration approaches.

"This research project captured and analysed sonic samples of both healthy and unhealthy rākau kauri using GPS (Global Positioning System) technology, recording coordinates of exact tree locations ensuring the consistent validity of sonic samples" (Smith, 2025)

RA2 Project Team and guests at Toi Taiao Whakatairanga Exhibition - Te Uru Art Gallery, 2023.

RA2 Outputs Include

Peer-reviewed publications

  • Valance, S. 2025. Kōrero tuku iho solutions to kauri mate. (submitted and under review)

  • Valance, S. et. al. 2025. Ihirangaranga: interwoven tapestry of connection through vibration and frequencies. (submitted and under review)

 

Published Reports

  • Mead, A.T.P, Smith, V, Ataria, J, Wilson-Leahy, T.P, Ogilvie, S, Watene-Rawiri, E, Potter, H and Shadbolt, M. 2022. When The Crown Controls Mātauranga: A Report on a Survey of Crown Policies, Programmes, Legislation, Funding, and Impact Assessment Relating to Mātauranga Māori. Biological Heritage National Science Challenge: Christchurch. ISSN 2815-9853

 

Technological creations:

  • Sound station prototype 1 - decommissioned due to increased fire risk

  • Sonic equipment: mix of binaural and pronged mics, and geophones

  • Solar-powered sonic stations x 3

  • Soundscapes x 5: healthy forest, unhealthy forest, bird songs, 528 Hz, tohorā​songs (​10Hz-4kHz)

 

Art-based outcomes:

  • Kōrihi - Waiata by V. Smith 

  • Te Piringa Whati Ora – Filmography by Nova Paul and Dawson Clutterbuck

  • Te Auwarawara – Soundscape by Maree Sheehan 

  • Toi Taiao Whakatairanga Exhibition - Te Uru Art Gallery, 2023 (see here)

 

Presentations: 

Over 19 presentations were made by this team, a selection is provided below

  • Smith, V, Maree, Murray, J. (2022). Te Mauri o te Kauri. International Indigenous Research Conference. Auckland

  • Smith, V. (2022). Te reo o te waonui a Tāne. Celebrating Matariki. Ministry for the Environment. Wellington

  • Smith, V. (24 May, 2022). Te Waiatatanga mai o te Atua – Singing the world into existence. Crazy Ambitious 3. Wellington

  • Smith, V. (2023). When the Crown Controls Mātauranga. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research Webinar. Online

  • Murray, J., Smith, V. (2024). Te Mauri o te Kauri. Kauri Ora Community Meeting. Online

  • Murray, J., Smith, V. (2024). Te Mauri o te Kauri. Tiakina Kauri and Regional Council Hui. Auckland

 

Communities engaged and trained

  • ​Te Rarawa, Warawara Whakaora Ake Komiti, Te Aho Tū Roa, North Hokianga hapū including Te Uri o Tai (Pawarenga), Ngāti Haua (Whangapē), Te Tāwhiu (Whangapē & Te Rangi), Hokokeha and Te Tao Maui (Mitimiti)

Dr Valance Smith

"Ihirangaranga: interwoven tapestry of connection through vibration and frequencies" (2025)

"The promotion of mauri ora for ecosystems takes into account the nature and quality of the interaction between people and the surrounding environment and necessitates the balance between biophonies, geophonies and anthrophonies."

Barrett Truax 1999

In: Soundscape in a context of acoustic and landscape ecology

Sound ecology is "the study of the systematic relationships between humans and sonic environments"

Matiaha Tiramōrehu, 1849

Ngāi Tahu kaumatua in Flintoff, 2004, p.12

“Kei a te po te timatatanga o te waiatatanga mai a te atua. Ko te ao, ko te ao marama, ko te ao turoa” | "It was in the night, that the gods sang the world into existence. From the world of light, into the world of music"

References (in order) | Ngā Tohutoro 

 

Bhandawat, A., & Jayaswall, K. (2022). Biological relevance of sound in plants. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 200, 104919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2022.104919 

Valenti, D., & Atlante, A. (2024). Sound Matrix Shaping of Living Matter: From Macrosystems to Cell Microenvironment, Where Mitochondria Act as Energy Portals in Detecting and Processing Sound Vibrations. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(13), 6841. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25136841 (www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/25/13/6841) 

Goldsby, T. L., Goldsby, M. E., McWalters, M., & Mills, P. J. (2022). Sound Healing: Mood, Emotional, and Spiritual Well-Being Interrelationships. Religions, 13(2), 123. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13020123 (www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/2/123)

Brun, C., & Exbrayat, J.-M. (2022). The effects of sounds and music on cells and organisms: A promising and developing area of research. Athens Journal of Sciences, 9(3), 173-190. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajs.9-3-1

​(/www.athensjournals.gr/sciences/2022-9-3-1-Brun.pdf)

Hassanien, R. H., Hou, T., Li, Y., & Li, B. (2014). Advances in effects of sound waves on plants. Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 13(2), 335–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2095-3119(13)60492-x

Gordon, T. A. C., Harding, H. R., Wong, K. E., Merchant, N. D., Meekan, M. G., McCormick, M. I., Radford, A. N., & Simpson, S. D. (2018). Habitat degradation negatively affects auditory settlement behavior of coral reef fishes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 115(20), 5193–5198. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1719291115 (www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1719291115)

Gordon, T. A. C., Radford, A. N., Davidson, I. K., Barnes, K., McCloskey, K., Nedelec, S. L., Meekan, M. G., McCormick, M. I., & Simpson, S. D. (2019). Acoustic enrichment can enhance fish community development on degraded coral reef habitat. Nature Communications, 10, 5414. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-13186-2 (www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13186-2)

Lau, B. (2024, April 11). Can soundscapes save coral reefs? Earth.Org. Retrieved from https://earth.org/can-soundscapes-save-coral-reefs/ 

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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. (2024). Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution researchers use the sounds of healthy coral reefs to encourage growth of a new species of coral larvae.  Retrieved from www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/whoi-researchers-prove-acoustic-enhancement-as-a-reef-restoration-method/

Valance, S. (2025). Kōrero tuku iho solutions to kauri mate. (submitted and under review)

Valance, S. et. al. (2025). Ihirangaranga: interwoven tapestry of connection through vibration and frequencies. (submitted and under review)

Flintoff, B. (2004). Taonga puoro Singing treasures: The musical instruments of the Māori. Nelson, New Zealand: Craig Potton. 

Truax B, Barrett GW (2011) Soundscape in a context of acoustic and landscape ecology. Landsc Ecol 26:1201–1207

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