NZBio Waikato University Workshop

Chris & Dr James R. Barker from the University of Waikato Management School

An NZBio workshop in collaboration with researchers from the University of Waikato Management School

The aim was to discuss challenges in engaging with citizens and community groups on biotech issues

Attended by around 40 people the workshop was part of an ongoing FRST funded research pogramme to develop "insights on the social and cultural sustainability of biotechnology in New Zealand"

Dr James R. Barker & Dr Karen Cronin of the ESR Integrative Research for Sustainability Group

Janine Cowling, NZBio Coordinator for the Waikato region

ESR Facilitator Jinny Baker at the 'Values & Beliefs' discussion table

Dr Alison Henderson at the 'Stakeholder Relationships' discussion table

Dr Jarrod Haar at the 'Cultural Engagement' discussion table

Venue was Hamilton's WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Art

Trip to Aorangi - Awarua

Big thanks to the Aorangi Awarua Trust for supporting this mahi, and especially to Tama, Krystal & Charlie who showed us around their spectacular maunga in te rohepotae o Mokai-Patea. Kia ora Stephen for bringing it together

We took heaps of photos - these are just a few to give you an idea of how choice it was doing bush research. Will upload a selection of more informative photos from the fungi survey in a separate post

Approaching the dropoff zone near the top of Aorangi maunga

The northen cliffs of Aorangi - dropoff zone is to the right of the big rock

On our way up over the summit to begin 1st day of the fungi survey

Stephen & Krystal

View toward Ruapehu from the top of Aorangi

Rock formation on the southern side of the maunga

Krystal, Tama & Charlie our Tangata Whenua guides + Stephen wearing his IRL potae

Ohutu Hut

For the townies

Relaxing after the 2nd day of surveying for fungi

Processing for identification purposes one of more than 50 types of fungi

The Trust is installing a large number of stoat traps as part of its environmental programme

Kia ora Charlie for the fresh venison

Tama the kaitiaki sharing his korero while we wait for the chopper to pick us up

Packing our stuff into the chopper

Back out to Taihape

Indigenous Knowledge Conference

The Whenua.biz poster presentation highlighted our research on therapeutic properties of the Awheto

The International Network of Indigenous Health Knowledge & Development Conference occurred over 15 - 17 October in Rotorua

To download a pdf version of the Whenua.biz poster prepared for the INIHKD Conference click here

Hui at The Pipi Shack Cafe

What better venue, what better coffee...

Whenua.biz hui to progress the 'Kaupapa Advisory Ropu' on their whakaaro around our current projects. The agenda focused much of the discussion on the tikanga and traditional applications associated with the Awheto cordyceps fungi, namely Rongoa & Ta-moko

We thank you all for the tautoko + challenging korero - kia ora Kaihoro, & cheers everybody!