Singing the Song of Conservation; Influence of Biosecurity on the Indigenous Ngāi Tahu Land within the Mt Aspiring Region

Abstract

This thesis is braiding the disciplines of Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, and Environmental Studies by investigating the extent to which the currently implemented biosecurity measures interact with Indigenous peoples’ fundamental rights to self determination and rights to traditional lands. That is done in the context of Ngāi Tahu Tino rangatiratanga within Tititea area (Mt Aspiring national park) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Biodiversity conservation is a matter of contention in Aotearoa as its biosecurity measures include ground and aerial distribution of harmful toxins throughout the country. As the Crown uses toxin disposal adjacent to the sites of special significance called Töpuni and in populated areas of Taonga (treasured) species, bordering valued bodies of water within the Tititea region, stronger inclusion of Ngāi Tahu fundamental rights is paramount. Weaving Indigenous and Western plural approaches to methodology and theory, through the concept of He Awa Whiria (Braided Rivers), in the following study I have examined the two knowledge streams' interactions in official policies and practices, regarding the contemporary Predator Free movement. Overall findings speak of the need for the development of novel predator eradication tools, formed in an advanced and inclusive socio-political environment. As well as the necessity for additional localized research braiding the disciplines of this study.