Te kahu huruhuru o kohikohi: Weaving a kaupapa māori methodology for climate change research

This article introduces Te Kahu Huruhuru o Kohikohi, a Kaupapa Māori methodology developed to address the need for Indigenous perspectives in climate change research. Climate change policy has traditionally relied on quantitative methods, often neglecting Māori worldviews and holistic environmental understandings. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori values, knowledge and practices are often overlooked in climate planning, despite their role as kaitiaki of the land. This methodology bridges Māori ways of knowing with Western research, drawing on whakapapa and incorporating Kaupapa Māori and bricolage to create an adaptable, multiperspective approach. The kahu huruhuru metaphor represents the diverse experiences of Kāi Tahu ki Murihiku and other Māori communities in responding to climate change. By honouring Māori epistemologies and engaging in community dialogue, the methodology offers a decolonising approach for climate change adaptation, combining Western and Indigenous perspectives for meaningful solutions.