Rural marae first to host groundbreaking water science lab

Winiata Marae, nestled in the rural town of Taihape, will soon become the first marae in the country to host a dedicated water science laboratory, a milestone achievement in bridging Mātauranga Māori and Western science.

The initiative is a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Hinemanu and Ngāti Paki (mana whenua), Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and Downer New Zealand. A prefab building donated by Downer will be officially welcomed onto the marae during a pōwhiri on Friday 16 May, followed by a wānanga for mana whenua and rangatahi.

The new lab will provide a dedicated space for mana whenua, kaiako of the region, and rangatahi to learn, research and protect the awa that sustain their rohe – including the Mangaone, Hautapu and Rangitīkei rivers.

This kaupapa builds on years of Mātauranga development work by mana whenua, who have been gathering and revitalising their historical knowledge of rivers, streams and puna wai.

Through collaboration with researchers from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Engineering and Design and Faculty of Science, the community has been growing rangatahi capability, blending ancestral narratives with modern water science.

Support for the project was bolstered by a successful application to MBIE’s Unlocking Curious Minds fund, enabling a research initiative that combines Mātauranga Māori, water science and engineering into a kotahitanga, or unity, approach.

Project investigator Associate Professor Doug Wilson (Faculty of Engineering and Design) says this lab is where Mātauranga Māori meets Western science.

“It’s about working together to protect the lifeblood of the region: the Mangaone, Hautapu, and Rangitīkei rivers.”

Wilson also acknowledges the contributions of Associate Professor Wei-Qin, Dr Shan Yi, Miriama Wilson and Nikhil Narayan from Waipapa Taumata Rau – all of whom are excited to see the future of a marae-based laboratory – alongside Jordan Winiata Haines and Puti Wilson, representatives of Winiata Marae who have led the initiative from Taihape.

Downer NZ played a key role by donating and transporting a 60-square-metre portacom building, now the home of the lab.

“Seeing the Downer NZ tohu alongside the University’s logo on the lab is a proud reminder of what’s possible when iwi, academia and industry work together,” says Downer NZ General Manager, Craig West.

Additional support came from industry partners like IDEXX, who provided equipment and educational resources to help build local water testing capabilities.

“Our unique partnership with Winiata Marae and Downer NZ will provide water testing equipment, STEM educational materials, training and enduring knowledge for rangatahi, science teachers and the Rangitīkei community – combining water science and engineering with Mātauranga Māori,” says Associate Professor Wilson.

Jordan Haines, Rangatira of Winiata Marae, says he is proud to lead this first-of-its-kind initiative.

"This is an important step forward for our marae and our communities. We see this lab as an extension of our traditional knowledge systems, enhancing our understanding of water quality and the impacts on the wellbeing of our environment.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, and industry partners like Downer to support the future kaitiaki of our waterways and whenua."

The opening celebrations will begin with a dawn karakia on Friday 16 May, marking the start of a new chapter in locally led environmental protection.