Engaging Indigenous perspectives on health, wellbeing and climate change. A new research agenda for holistic climate action in Aotearoa and beyond

ABSTRACT

Existing frameworks for interpreting and acting upon the health consequences of climate change fail to engage with the multiple and complex forms of loss and damage that Indigenous peoples experience to their health and wellbeing in a changing climate. Using a case study of Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand, we call for a new research agenda that foregrounds Indigenous peoples’ collective, relational perspectives on health and wellbeing in order to better conceptualise the health implications of climate change. The agenda builds understanding and recognition of intangible loss and damages, bringing multiple knowledge systems and worldviews into conversation to drive adaptation that not only safeguards but also promotes the visions Indigenous peoples have for their health and wellbeing.

KEYWORDS:

• Health
• wellbeing
• loss and damages
• climate change
• Indigenous
• Māori

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge residents of the Mangakāhia Valley and wider Kaipara Catchment for their participation in this research. Thanks also go to the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group (IKHMG) and Leane Makey for their assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Declaration of interest statement/disclosure statement

The authors have no declaration of interests or disclosures to make with regards to this research.

Ethical statement

The research discussed in this article was approved on 18th April 2016 by the Human Subjects Protection Program and Institutional Review Board of the University of Arizona, protocol number 1604520094. All research participants underwent an informed consent process, where the researcher orally described the nature of the research project and participants’ involvement. Written consent was gathered from all participants.