Indigenous Research and Knowledge Generation with the International Science Council

The relationship between modern research and traditional wisdom is evolving. For New Zealanders, understanding this connection is vital for creating sustainable environmental policies that respect the history of our region.

This article announces an upcoming webinar featuring Pacific scholars who discuss the integration of Indigenous knowledge with scientific research for environmental conservation. Adobe stock.

The International Science Council (ISC), in partnership with Waipapa Taumata Rau (University of Auckland) and the Pacific Academy of Sciences, is hosting a significant kōrero. This webinar focuses on how scholars use intergenerational insights to address contemporary ecological issues.

By centering these voices, we can better understand how the science system can navigate the intersection of Western science and local heritage. The session will explore practical applications that protect our natural resources and strengthen community resilience.

Event Details

• Date: 11 May 2026

• Time: 16:00 NZST (4:00 UTC)

• Format: Online Webinar

• Facilitator: Yvonne Underhill-Sem (ISC Social Science Steering Committee)

• Key Speakers: Dawn Katovai, Kerryn Soghe Galokale, Emalani Case, and Tahu Kukutai.

  
  

Practical Applications of Pacific Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Scholars will share their experiences in forest conservation, vernacular education, and the essential role water plays in protecting land.

For those in the Bay of Plenty and across Aotearoa, these ideas offer a blueprint for place-based science. It is about ensuring that the way we manage our environment is informed by the people who have lived in harmony with it for centuries.

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