The Sustainability Transition Challenge W\u0101nanga took place on June 21 and 22 at the University of Canterbury in \u014ctautahi \/ Christchurch. This W\u0101nanga was jointly organized by K\u0101 Waimaero\/ Ng\u0101i Tahu Research Centre at the University of Canterbury and the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation (3ci) at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.<\/p>\n
The M\u0101ori word “w\u0101nanga” refers to a gathering of people to exchange traditional knowledge through a process of “profound inquiry\u201d. The aim of w\u0101nanga within M\u0101ori culture is to \u00a0preserve and pass on ancestral knowledge, customs, and values, ensuring their continuity through generations.\u00a0 Guided by the indigenous people of \u014ctautahi, Ng\u0101i T\u016b\u0101huriri, we drew upon the principles of w\u0101nanga to facilitate a discussion among leading indigenous, practitioner, science, and industry experts to discuss and address the sustainability transition challenge facing agriculture in Aotearoa New Zealand.\u00a0 These principles included::<\/p>\n
The Context Given to W\u0101nanga Participants: <\/strong><\/p>\n Prior to the w\u0101nanga participants were provided with a brief of the sustainability transition facing New Zealand.\u00a0 It was outlined how Aotearoa New Zealand is at a crossroad, with pressure to agriculture to transition to carbon neutrality, address water quality concerns, and enhance biodiversity.\u00a0 However, at the same time, it was pointed out that agriculture is the backbone of the Aotearoa economy, and transitioning to a new way of operating entails risks that could threaten the country\u2019s economic wellbeing.\u00a0 These conflicting pressures are felt by M\u0101ori who are aiming to improve te mauri te taiao | the health of the environment while also holding significant assets in the agricultural sector. It was described how there been various efforts to address the transition challenge facing Aotearoa New Zealand through collaborative governance initiatives, however, there is also growing polarization between groups based on assumptions about who will win or lose through these collaborative decision-making forums.<\/p>\n Structure of the w\u0101nanga<\/strong><\/p>\n With this context in mind, participants in the w\u0101nanga were invited to provide their insights and solutions into how Aotearoa could undergo the sustainability transition.\u00a0 \u00a0Day 1 of the w\u0101nanga (Wednesday 21 June) brought together diverse and innovative thinkers, leaders, and practitioners from various fields, including Indigenous development, governance, science, environment, and farming, to discuss the sustainability transition.\u00a0 They spoke to the transition challenge facing agriculture from their position and area of experience, knowledge, and expertise.\u00a0 They were encouraged to speak from a personal perspective rather than an institutional position, followed by questions from participants. Through this process of collective learning, an exchange of experience and knowledge between Indigenous and other perspectives was encouraged. \u00a0The views shared by speakers, questions, and answers can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n Day 1 also included a keynote presentation by Professor Frances Abele from Carleton University, Ottawa and Amsey Maracle (Mohawk and Plains Cree) located at the Centre for First Nations Governance. Frances and Amsey spoke about the role of collaborative research between academic institutions and Indigenous peoples to strengthen Indigenous self-determination and governance in Canada. \u00a0The talk provided by Frances and Amsey, questions and answers can be found here.<\/a><\/p>\n On the second day of the W\u0101nanga, participants discussed collaborative research needs and opportunities (both within Aotearoa and internationally) for moving forward.\u00a0 These component of the w\u0101nanga were not recorded, however, a summary of themes is being generated and will be available once completed.<\/p>\n W\u0101nanga outcomes: <\/strong><\/p>\n Though only two days long, this w\u0101nanga started important conversations on the transition to agricultural sustainability in Aotearoa \u2013 informed by voices from Canada.<\/p>\n On the second day, we gained valuable insights on specific topics that would benefit from further collaborative engagement, including better environmental monitoring, strengthening Mahinga Kai<\/em> (traditional\/customary food gathering) practices, incentivizing more sustainable farm practices aligned with appropriate markets, and strengthening co-governance.<\/p>\n That day yielded four central insights to form the basis of future work:<\/p>\n 1)\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Bring the whole community along\u2019 (whether farmers, citizens, Indigenous community members) in the transition to sustainability, including when it comes to accepting the growing role of Indigenous voices in governance. A key to this is ensuring that transition efforts are informed by deep engagement with the \u2018whole community\u2019 throughout the process.<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0 Share stories of transition happening at multiple levels of governance, illustrating transition pathways that are emerging and being acted upon, to grow their impact and inspire hope.<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0 Show how these transition pathways are informed by reconciliation and decolonization efforts made by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations.<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0 Foster international dialogue through these stories. Participants recognized the value in sharing experiences on these issues across and between Aotearoa and Canada. While these countries are far apart, globally, they also share a common history of British colonization, and Indigenous people from both places have long connected to share political strategy. Further, Aotearoa appears well advanced in moving co-governance forward. Its history Indigenous reconciliation processes have generated a range of collaborative governance initiatives, as well as other institutional shifts, to support greater iwi autonomy and resulting economic and cultural revitalization opportunities. First Nations and the settler governments they engage with in Canada are developing rich experience in furthering self-determination. Indigenous communities retain deep knowledge of the environmental patterns and ecological management of landscapes on which traditional food production and foraging rely. These insights can be drawn upon in meeting the sustainability transition by settler governments.\u00a0 At the same time, in both countries there are tensions in this work, governance challenges, and lessons to learn from the efforts being undertaken.<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Welcome:<\/strong><\/p>\n Professor Te Maire Tau Upoko, K\u0101 Waimaero, John Reid, and Peter Andree<\/p>\n Session 1: Whakahaere – Transforming policy and governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n