Research themes

New Zealand’s long isolation has resulted in a unique biodiversity. Research into biodiversity, taxonomy and biosystematics will aid future conservation of our unique and diverse species, and will help to understand the influences of introduced species. The importance of research within this theme is highlighted by the recent Decadal Plan for taxonomy and biosystematics in Australia and New Zealand, the development and implementation of which already involves Auckland Museum's personnel. Research into the origins and evolution of New Zealand’s landscapes, flora and fauna is an opportunity to understand significant biogeographic relationships. This includes biodiversity within the Auckland region and its relationship to the upper North Island and the regional Pacific area. An additional important focus is documenting how and why biodiversity has changed over time as a result of both natural and human-induced changes. This understanding will help us develop solutions to protect the unique biodiversity of New Zealand into the future. Mātauranga Māori will be an important component of this research, with a focus on interweaving a cultural dimension with our natural history collections and combining scientific knowledge with indigenous practices and systems. The biodiversity theme furthers our previous research and commitment in this area. It connects strongly with other research themes, especially Tāmaki Makaurau, Human Impacts, and Indigenous Cultures and Knowledge Systems. These relationships will be further developed during the research planning stages.

Objectives

• Document flora and fauna, incorporating mātauranga Māori, within the Auckland region, the upper North Island, and the regional south-west Pacific area, to understand taxonomic relationships and changing biodiversity (including naturalisations and invasions) and to forecast consequences of future changes

• Establish new partnerships within the regional Pacific to expand the understanding and protection of the natural heritage of these regions

• Develop research-based conservation initiatives and tools to sustain and restore Auckland's environments, ecologies and endemic species focusing on contemporary pressures and issues facing the environment

• Undertake biological surveys incorporating public engagement and iwi partnerships to establish baseline information that provides a reference point to monitor environmental and human-induced changes or to build on past surveys to document rates of change

• Take a leading role in research into taxonomy and biosystematics in New Zealand, producing guides in areas of taxonomic expertise for New Zealand and the regional Pacific

The experiences of war and the impact of war on people and society an important focus for Auckland Museum. The research in this area will be directed towards understanding the relationships between war, conflict and peace on New Zealand society and how this has shaped its identity, focusing on the Auckland region and historical Auckland province. This will expand our understanding of the New Zealand Land Wars; the material culture of war; peace and peace-making; and the changing nature of commemoration, reflection and remembrance. An additional research focus is the museology of remembrance and commemoration practices in New Zealand.

Objectives

• Develop a long–term research programme investigating the history, landscapes and heritage of wars, with increasing focus on the New Zealand Land Wars, post-WW2 conflicts and peace-making

• Explore changing remembrance and commemoration practices relevant to New Zealand's communities and translating insights into museum practice

• Transform our collections associated with war, conflict, and peace into hubs of active investigation and collaboration, such as Online Cenotaph

• Document and understand the relationship between Auckland and its military history including the maternal culture of war

• Connect Auckland Museum with other museums by creating new partnerships focused on identifying and telling New Zealand’s stories of war, conflict and peacekeeping

Auckland Museum's collections and research methodologies contain significant Māori and Pacific taonga. The interpretations of these items are strengthened and informed through indigenous culture and knowledge systems. The research focus of this theme will be on the incorporation and inclusion of indigenous knowledge systems into research, as well as the research that enriches our understanding of the indigenous cultures that Auckland Museum serves – particularly focusing on Māori and Pacific. We will also investigate contemporary expressions of indigenous culture, including how these have been shaped by acculturation processes. The role of making and makers within indigenous cultural expression will also be explored. Iwi and hapū objectives and partnerships will be central to the development of this research theme.

Objectives

• Establish an active and visible role in understanding and incorporating indigenous knowledge systems into research practice and outcomes

• Embed co-development practices into research through genuine relationships with knowledgeholders, makers and communities, including analysis and dissemination of best-practice approaches

• Develop strategic partnerships to create new knowledge and to share knowledge, expertise and findings on the development and incorporation of indigenous knowledge systems to research

• Take an active research role in the understanding of Te Ao Māori and Te Taiao, including the development of research partnerships that empower iwi as kaitiaki of their environments

• Adopt an active research role in the revitalisation and retention of te reo Māori and other indigenous languages