By land, sea and sky, Māori are using Indigenous knowledge to combat climate change

Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment recognized the threat of climate change in 2023 .

Climate change is eroding New Zealand's shores, destroying its biodiversity, fueling extreme weather and threatening to displace entire communities.

For Mori , reforestation is critical to maintaining their culture, as they rely on native plants and animals for food, medicine and other long-held traditions.

Whale Watch Kaikura is Aotearoa New Zealand’s oldest whale watching business.

To Mori, whales aren’t just majestic creatures, but sacred ancestors.

Whale pump is a process that begins when whales plunge deep into the ocean to feed on krill, before defecating.

Global warming is raising the temperature of ocean water and melting glaciers, causing sea level rise.

Dark Sky Project is co-owned by the Ngi Tahu tribe at the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve , the largest dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere .

A dark sky is vital to Mori culture, which has relied on fiery constellations for generations to guide travelers and connect them with the spirits of their ancestors.

Astronomers, atmospheric scientists and climatologists need dark skies to conduct research that helps them understand climate change and predict future nature events.