Skip to content
  • Home
  • About us
  • What we do
  • Stories
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Menu
  • Home
  • About us
  • What we do
  • Stories
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Maramataka shifting mindsets

Maramataka shifting mindsets

Maramataka shifting mindsets

  • Megan Lacey
  • February 23, 2022

Maramataka shifting mindsets

Te Hekenga-ā-Rongo presenter, Davina Thompson (Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa), is infiltrating her knowledge of maramataka amongst the country’s environmental policymakers.

She is currently working on the Environment of Te Arawa 2022 synthesis report for Ministry for the Environment based on Matariki as a framework, in her role as policy analyst and mātauranga Māori expert.

Davina says when she took her first session with the ministry’s Science Interface team, she recognised she was in the position that tohunga, Rereata Makiha, aspired for her during her years under his wing with Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Te Arawa.

The relationships she formed in the collective, particularly with Rereata, have helped inspire her to do things she did not know she could do.

“There were times during my bachelor studies that I wanted to give up, but Pāpā Rereata encouraged me to keep going because we needed our people in governance spaces.

“And now, I’m writing the synthesis report alongside these amazing tohunga who I’d previously referenced in my thesis – like Dan Hikaroa, Shaun Awatere, Rangi Matamua and Isaac Warbrick – and we’re creating a difference,” she says.

Ngā Pātaka Kōrero o Te Arawa is about collectivising knowledge, sharing learning, and building capability together.

Healthy Families Rotorua rautaki Māori, Jade Kameta, says the community of practice was a starting point for Davina to build her networks, and the mental shift to grow into the space where she is now working alongside western scientists.

“Te Hekenga-ā-Rongo presenters agreed there were going to be challenges evidencing mātauranga Māori and maramataka because of the two different worldviews – mātauranga Māori is not widely understood in the western scientific world.

“Healthy Families is about changing systems and perceptions, and Davina’s in a position to shift the way mātauranga Māori is understood. It’s vital to solving some of our greatest environmental challenges to create a healthier future. We need more people like her in those spaces to start creating new narratives.

“Throughout the symposium it was reiterated that mātauranga Māori and maramataka don’t work unless you practice and live it. Davina has definitely done that and is a good example of how that supportive network can work – from how an interest and passion has become her professional world.

“Davina has walked her talk and is now leading the way,” he says.

PrevPrevious
NextNext

What we've been up to

Our Stories

The year that was 2022

The incredible energy of maramataka and Matariki has inspired 2022 for Healthy Families Rotorua. Healthy Families Rotorua manager, Jenny Kaka-Scott, says key outcomes achieved this

December 19, 2022 No Comments

Piki Maunga Crew trek Tongariro

Hoki atu ki tōu maunga kia purea ai e koe ki ngā hau o Tāwhirimātea.Return to your mountain to be cleansed by the winds of

November 22, 2022 No Comments

Te Arawa stories and cycling

Te Arawa stories will be at the fore of a new activation to get more people walking and biking on the city’s shared footpaths and roads.

October 25, 2022 No Comments

© Copyright 2023 – Healthy Families Rotorua

Facebook Instagram Youtube
Website by Dubzz Digital Marketing