Investigating The Relationship Between The Built Environment And Climate Change From A Te Ao Māori Perspective. Using Pūrākau As A Methodology With The Case Study Of Waiwhetū Awa

This thesis discusses the current relationship between the built environment and aspects of climate change, analysing what systems are currently in place and investigating how this could be better developed if viewed from a Te ao Māori perspective. The concepts of sustainable engineering systems directly connect the built enviornment to te taio. However, the sector is still very westernised, looking at the natural environment purely for its practical benefits. Te ao Māori, just like most Indigenous peoples, have a relationship with the natural environment that is reciprical, meaning that when we look after her, she will look after us. Therefore, although there are practical parallels between the two, a Te Āo Māori perspective on the topic is far more holistic and comes from lived experience and connection to wāhi. The particular wāhi/case study discussed in this research was Waiwhetū, exploring the way the built environment for the last century has degraded the health and wellbeing of the awa and therefore, simultaneously severing the connection Māori from Waiwhetū have with their awa. The methodologies used, test a framework that is new to architectural science but are founded in principles of a kaupapa Māori framework utilising mātauranga Māori, in particular pūrākau. Traditional research methodologies were used to test the potential of pūrākau in this space of architectural science in relation to climate change. Literature review of pūrākau as a research methodology showed the emense potential for pūrākau to help inform us on topics of our climate and natural environment. The topic was further discussed in interviews with whānau from Waiwhetū, Te Ātiawa as well as other Māori that connect to the topic through pūrākau. From these interviews, it was clear that many lessons could be learnt from pūrākau but ultimately, new pūrākau must be written to fit today context of time, society and climate.