Māori hapū and iwi have long histories of connection and association with the Southern Ocean and Antarctica yet representation of Māori, te ao Māori and mātauranga in New Zealand’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean science, policy and governance has been low.

This research project aims to engage with hapū and iwi in a kōrero on their history of connection to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean to define their aspirations for voice and representation in NZ’s Antarctic activities in the future, and the steps we need to take to achieve those apirations.

We will talk you through the structure of NZ’s Antarctic science, policy and governance and highlight where Māori voices are currently represented and highlight where the opportunities for further involvement may be for the future.

Māori and Antarctica: Ka mua, ka muri – is how we are thinking about our research. We want to engage hapū and iwi in a conversation about our historical connections to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean to then define our aspirations for the future and how we work to get there.