Publications List
How to use this list
This is a high-volume directory of writing and resources about Māori mapping and GIS in Aotearoa New Zealand. It includes academic papers, theses, reports, iwi and hapū plans, toolkits, and mapping portals. Scan by section, open the links, then search within PDFs for terms like GIS, map, rohe, takiwā, wāhi tapu, mahinga kai, cultural mapping, and data governance.
Foundational Māori GIS and cultural mapping
Harmsworth, G. R. (1997). Māori values and GIS: The New Zealand experience. GIS Asia Pacific. Early discussion of Māori values and tikanga in GIS, including sensitive information handling.
Type: Article
Access: PDF
Link: http://www.iapad.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/GISAP.pdf
Harmsworth, G., Park, M., and Walker, D. (2005). Report on the development and use of GIS for iwi and hapū: Motueka case study. Detailed iwi and hapū GIS case study, covering governance, data types, and practical workflows.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/researchpubs/harmsworth_gis_iwi.pdf
Harmsworth, G., Park, M., and Walker, D. (2005). Report on the development and use of GIS for iwi and hapū: Motueka case study (alternate PDF host). Same report, alternate official host.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://icm.landcareresearch.co.nz/knowledgebase/publications/public/icmmaorigisreport.pdf
Pacey, H. A. (2005). The benefits and barriers to GIS for Māori. Lincoln University. Classic thesis on Māori GIS adoption, barriers, and opportunities for cultural and development outcomes.
Type: Thesis
Access: PDF
Link: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/35459633.pdf
Iwi and hapū environmental management plans (many include mapped rohe, wāhi tapu approaches, and GIS references)
Ministry for the Environment. Whakamau ki ngā Kaupapa: Iwi management plans and resource management. National guidance and context for iwi management plans.
Type: Government report
Access: PDF
Link: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/whakamau-ki-nga-kaupapa-jun01-full.pdf
Ministry for the Environment (2004). Review of the effectiveness of iwi management plans. Review that includes how plans use maps and define rohe.
Type: Government report
Access: PDF
Link: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/review-effectiveness-iwi-management-plans-jul04.pdf
Ministry for the Environment (2024). Three decades of iwi and hapū management plans: An overview. Modern overview with examples of GIS layers and mapped values in plans.
Type: Government report
Access: PDF
Link: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/Three-decades-of-iwi-and-hapu-management-plans-An-overview.pdf
Waikato Regional Council. Tangata whenua management plans (index page with multiple PDFs). A hub linking to many iwi and hapū plans, often with maps and GIS content.
Type: Index page
Access: Web page
Link: https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/your-community/iwi/tangata-whenua-management-plans/
Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara Iwi Environmental Management Plan (Bay of Plenty Regional Council copy). Includes mapped rohe history and environmental values.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/564287/ngati-kea-ngati-tuara-iwi-environmental-management-plan.pdf
Ngāti Hauā Environmental Management Plan (2018) (Waipā District Council). Includes kaitiaki ā rohe mapping and planning use cases.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.waipadc.govt.nz/repository/libraries/id%3A26zgz4o7s1cxbyk7hfo7/hierarchy/our-council/Our%20Partners/Ngati%20Haua%20Iwi%20Environmental%20Management%20Plan%20-%20September%202018.pdf
Hineuru Iwi Environmental Management Plan (2022) (Waikato Regional Council copy). Includes a defined rohe map and environmental objectives.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://subsite2.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/Hineuru-Environmental-Plan.pdf
Ngāti Tahu Ngāti Whaoa Iwi Environmental Management Plan (Waikato River Authority host). Regional plan content for a defined rohe, commonly used in RMA processes.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://waikatoriver.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ngaati_tahu_ngaati_whaoa_iwi_emp.pdf
The Maniapoto Iwi Environmental Management Plan (Waikato River Authority host). Rohe-wide environmental management plan with mapped context.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://waikatoriver.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Maniapoto-EMP1.pdf
Ngāti Rangitihi Iwi Environmental Management Plan (2011). Includes Te Mahere ā Rohe and mapped rohe content.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.whakatane.govt.nz/files/documents/ngati_rangitihi_iwi_environmental_management_plan.pdf
Ngāti Rangitihi Iwi Environmental Management Plan maps (Part II maps). Map-only pack useful for GIS reference.
Type: Maps appendix
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.whakatane.govt.nz/files/documents/ngati_rangitihi_iwi_environmental_management_plan_maps.pdf
Ngāti Rangiwewehi Iwi Environmental Management Plan (2012) Part 1. Example of an iwi plan with mapped rohe and values.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/270922/ngati_rangiwewehi_iwi_environmental__management_plan__2012__part_1_smallest.pdf
Mahaanui Iwi Management Plan (Part 1 PDF). Ngāi Tahu papatipu rūnanga plan, includes mapping context and planning policy settings.
Type: Iwi plan
Access: PDF
Link: https://irp.cdn-website.com/ff89d055/files/uploaded/Mahaanui-IMP-Part-1-Introduction.pdf
Mahaanui Kurataiao Iwi Management Plan (site). Main site entry point with links to plan parts and related resources.
Type: Website
Access: Web page
Link: https://www.mahaanuikurataiao.co.nz/iwi-management-plan
Selwyn District Council iwi management plans page (includes Mahaanui IMP reference). Council index pointing to iwi plans used in planning.
Type: Index page
Access: Web page
Link: https://www.selwyn.govt.nz/property-And-building/planning/strategies-and-plans/iwi-management-plans
Quality Planning (NZ) page: What is an iwi management plan (includes links to example plan PDFs). Handy link hub for multiple iwi plan examples.
Type: Index page
Access: Web page
Link: https://www.qualityplanning.org.nz/node/1006
EPA Fast-track consenting: Iwi Management Plan Assessment (example compilation style). Useful for finding which iwi plans are referenced in major projects and how mapped values are treated.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/Documents/Fast-track-consenting/Upland-Road-Retirement-Village/Attachment-23-Iwi-Management-Plan-Assessment.pdf
Cultural mapping, place names, and mapping portals
Kā Huru Manu (Ngāi Tahu Cultural Mapping Project) atlas. Major iwi-led place names and kōrero mapping atlas.
Type: Digital atlas
Access: Web site
Link: https://kahurumanu.co.nz/atlas
Māori Maps (Te Potiki National Trust). National marae mapping portal.
Type: Website
Access: Web site
Link: http://www.maorimaps.com
The Map Kiwi: Te Reo Māori place names map. Large interactive map of Māori place names and sources.
Type: Web map
Access: Web site
Link: https://www.themapkiwi.co.nz/te-reo-maori-place-names-map/
Matthews, P. (2006). Māori place names and a proposed framework. Onomastica Canadiana. Useful for structuring Māori toponymy layers and metadata.
Type: Journal article
Access: PDF
Link: https://ojs.lib.uwo.ca/index.php/oc/article/download/17761/13393
Taiao monitoring, cultural indicators, and mapped assessment tools
Awatere, S. et al. (2017). Wai Ora Wai Māori: a kaupapa Māori assessment tool. Manaaki Whenua policy brief 19. A widely used kaupapa Māori assessment framework that commonly connects to GIS and mapped reporting.
Type: Policy brief
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Policy-Briefing-Guidance-Papers/Policy-Brief-19-Wai-Ora-Wai-Maori.pdf
Rainforth, H. (2019). Kaupapa Māori Freshwater Assessments. Northland Regional Council. Survey of kaupapa Māori tools, explicitly referencing cultural mapping with GIS and Google Earth, including CHI and Mauri Compass.
Type: Council report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/n0ip2ksp/kaupapa-maori-assessments-final-jan-2019.pdf
Landcare Research. Final cultural indicators report. Cultural indicators work often used alongside mapping for reporting and management.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://icm.landcareresearch.co.nz/knowledgebase/publications/public/Cultural_indicators_report2.pdf
Manaaki Whenua policy brief 14. Māori values and perspectives to inform collaborative freshwater management. Covers Cultural Opportunity Mapping and Assessment and related approaches (COMA/COMAR).
Type: Policy brief
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Policy-Briefing-Guidance-Papers/Policy-Brief-14-Maori_Values_Perspectives.pdf
Cultural Flows. Cultural Opportunity Mapping, Assessment and Responses (COMAR) introduction. Framework and method descriptions used in planning and mapped values work.
Type: Website
Access: Web site
Link: https://www.culturalflows.co.nz/1-introduction.html
Our Land and Water (2024). Enabling Te Mana o Te Wai with Cultural Health Assessment Tools. Discusses gaps and opportunities, including calls for GIS-integrated cultural mapping layers.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://ourlandandwater.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Enabling-Te-Mana-o-Te-Wai-with-Cultural-Health-Assessment-Tools_OLW_Oct2024.pdf
DOC (2016). Mapping the services and benefits of indigenous ecosystems in New Zealand (SAP 260). Includes a section on mapping Māori values and ecosystem services using GIS and notes requirements for Māori ownership and leadership.
Type: DOC science report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/sap260.pdf
Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. Mauri Compass model calibrated for the marine environment (PDF). Practical guide PDF for a widely used mauri-based assessment tool.
Type: Toolkit document
Access: PDF
Link: https://backend.sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz/assets/dms/Other-TR/Mauri-compass/Mauri-Compass.pdf
Sustainable Seas Challenge page: Mauri Compass model calibrated for the marine environment. Overview page with context and use cases.
Type: Web page
Access: Web site
Link: https://www.sustainableseaschallenge.co.nz/tools-and-resources/mauri-compass-model-calibrated-for-the-marine-environment
Tohorā / Sustainable Seas document page: Mauri Compass model calibrated for the marine environment. Alternate access point to the same toolkit.
Type: Document page
Access: Web site
Link: https://tohora.org.nz/documents/200
Gisborne District Council (2019). Mauri Compass Assessment of the Makauri Aquifer. Example implementation report using the Mauri Compass approach.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.gdc.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/13499/mauri-compass-assessment-of-the-makauri-aquifer-august-2019.pdf
Marine customary and spatial protection work with Māori relevance
Paul-Burke, K. et al. (2020). Mapping Māori knowledge from the past to inform marine management futures. New Zealand Science Review. Māori marine knowledge and mapping used to inform contemporary management planning.
Type: Journal article
Access: PDF
Link: https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/server/api/core/bitstreams/4e79e6cb-c3cd-4d54-bea9-f09629cdc498/content
DOC (2018). Mapping Key Ecological Areas in the New Zealand Marine Environment. National marine mapping report that includes cultural values language and spatial planning concepts relevant to customary and iwi-led discussions.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.doc.govt.nz/globalassets/documents/conservation/marine-and-coastal/marine-protected-areas/mpa-publications/key-ecological-areas-report-2018.pdf
Practical GIS tool and training material used in kaupapa Māori projects
Wilkins, D. (Te Reo o te Repo, Vol 2). GIS mapping tools for wetland projects (Chapter 16 PDF). Practical GIS overview for community wetland projects, including story maps and field workflows.
Type: Handbook chapter
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/Publications/Te-reo-o-te-repo-vol-2/TRoTR_Kei-konei-tonu-au_Chapter-16.pdf
Research that uses GIS to map Māori land history or Māori places
Whitehead, J. (2021). The alienation of the Opuatia Block: A GIS case study. GIS-based analysis of land alienation patterns over time, with maps and parcel-level visualisation.
Type: Research report
Access: PDF
Link: https://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/bitstreams/f39e79d3-d742-4446-a756-4500abc44060/download
Prioritising wetland restoration efforts based on mātauranga-ā-hapū and participatory mapping. Example of participatory GIS to inventory wetlands and map cultural significance and use.
Type: Report
Access: PDF
Link: https://waimaori.maori.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Wetland_Restoration.pdf
Ngāti Maniapoto wetland restoration paper in NZ Journal of Ecology (PDF). Includes participatory mapping and mātauranga Māori concepts in restoration context.
Type: Journal article
Access: PDF
Link: https://newzealandecology.org/nzje/3391_/pdf
Planning and government information that frequently intersects with mapped Māori interests
Ministry for the Environment (2019). Information for iwi/Māori (planning standards context). Useful background for how iwi plans, spatial plans, and mapped Māori interests interact with statutory planning.
Type: Government information
Access: PDF
Link: https://environment.govt.nz/assets/Publications/Files/information-for-iw-maori.pdf
Manaaki Whenua (2005). Good practice guidelines for working with tangata whenua and Māori organisations. Widely cited guidance on engagement that underpins responsible mapping and data handling projects.
Type: Guidance report
Access: PDF
Link: https://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/assets/researchpubs/harmsworth_good_practice_tanagata_whenua.pdf
Cultural mapping tools (recent)
Te Kete Kōrero o Ōhinemutu: the story of a cultural mapping tool (DOI landing page). Recent journal publication describing a Māori cultural mapping tool for spatial planning and knowledge stewardship.
Type: Journal article
Access: DOI landing page
Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/11771801251377891