World Geothermal Congress in collaboration with Whakarewarewa Living Village

4 May, 2022

Dr Pauline Harris (left) and Associate Professor Franck Natali (right)

Principal Investigators Associate Professor Pauline Harris and Associate Investigator Associate Professor Franck Natali gave online oral presentations at the World Geothermal Congress (WGC). Associate Professor Natali’s presentation “Exploring Synergies Between Māori Knowledge and Western Science on the Formation of Natural Colours” focused on bringing together Whakarewarewa Village’s stories, legends and materials science through the understanding of the formation of natural colours on rocks at geothermal vents and deposits from geothermal waters.

Associate Professor Harris’ presentation “Whakarewarewa Thermal Village as a Living Laboratory for Indigenous Materials, Science Outreach and Education” outlined the plan and development of the Mātauranga Māori Science Museum space which will be located in or around Whakarewarewa Village. Associate Professor Harris also attended the Q&A session, during which co-creation and what that looked like from a Māori perspective was discussed.

Read next

Summer of lab