Embedding Mauri in geothermal developments

Learn how Maori cultural values can be incorporated alongside Western approaches to form an improved impact assessment framework for the development of geothermal resources.  Nona Taute (Te Arawa, Tainui) will share his research findings and proposed framework, drawing on the knowledge and insights of Maori communities in the Taupo Volcanic Zone.

A light lunch will be served at 12 noon, with the presentation starting at 1pm.

Speaker Profile – Nona Taute

Nona (Te Arawa, Tainui) is a current doctoral candidate in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Auckland. His research looks at incorporating Māori values into geothermal project impact assessment practices. He is currently a lecturer at the University of Auckland, teaching Civil Engineering Administration, Construction Management, and Principles of Engineering Design. A goal of his is to increase the inclusion of Māori participation in engineering.

Nona grew up in Rotorua, where he went to a full-immersion Māori school and was exposed to many of the cultural traditions and protocol practiced by his iwi. His family lives near Lake Rotorua in a house that his grandfather built. Near the house was a series of geothermal hot pools which were used by his hapū until the Rotorua Airport was built, covering the hot pools with concrete. In learning of this loss, Nona’s passion for Māori customary rights grew, and his PhD aims to ensure that such a loss will not occur for Māori hapū again.

While working for Watercare, Nona contributed to the design of the Central Interceptor, and while working for Aurecon, he was a client-side site engineer for the City Rail Link. Nona is a fluent Te Reo speaker, with experience in Māori, iwi, and hapū engagement, as well as engineering contract and project management experience.