Project Leader(s) Professor Richard Walter (University of Otago)
Project Team Dr Armagan Sabetian, Dr Karen Greig, Jillian Sabetian, Brendan Flack, Nixon Silaspio
This project builds on existing relationships with two villages in the Western Province, Solomon Islands. These are Kokorapa village on Nusa Roviana, New Georgia and Vavanga village, on Kolombangara. In New Zealand we are planning to work in Hawkes Bay with Te Tai Whenua o Heretaunga and Matahiwi marae building on existing research relationships. These New Zealand and Pacific communities are united in their connections with Te Moa a Nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean) and they share a deep ancestry; but they live in very different coastal environments and engage with the sea in very different ways. This project will bring them together to share indigenous knowledge and practices relating to the sea, and from these interactions develop strategies to enhance wellbeing, explore economic opportunities, and respond to climate change risks.
