The Māori Forestry Paradigm

As we were developing a national vision and strategic intent for Māori Forestry Interests, we were finding it difficult to articulate and quantify the journey of Māori forestry in our discussions with others. Frequently we would refer to separate elements, and historical and contemporary factors, impacts, and enablers but could not convey a whole picture. Why? No surprise (with exceptions by Dr Mānuka Henare, Professor Pou Temara, Lania Holt, Garth Harmsworth, Sean Awatere, and Pia Pōhatu) the context of Māori forestry is not well understood or described in research - and it’s rather complex!

This paper uses a Causal Loop methodology to describe the journey and pathways at the core of the modern Māori Forestry Paradigm (i.e., post-colonial settlement). The paper was formulated as one mode of knowing and experience across time and space, illustrated in cause-and-effect loops, to enable Ngā Pou a Tāne to better understand and discuss with collaborators The Journey of Māori Forestry to 2024, The Current State of Māori Forestry and why, The Potential of an Enabling Environment to Transform Māori Forestry, and the desired state or Future Māori Forestry Paradigm.

As we look deeper into the nature and function of a Māori Forestry Paradigm, clearly Māori worldview has differentiated Māori forestry governance decisions from others. Of concern, however, should be the direct impact evidence to our forest lands and shared aspiration for self-determination being directed by externalities (a cost or benefit of an economic activity experienced by an unrelated third party). This is why it’s essential to forge a fresh vision and set of strategic pathways under the mandate of collective action.

A truncated version of the living journey of the Māori Forestry Paradigm is found on pages 35 & 36 in the consultation document.

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