Dr Rochelle Mackintosh graduates with PHD

On the 8th of May, Rochelle and her whānau travelled down to Dunedin, supporting her graduation. Rochelle Mackintosh completed her PhD at Otago long distance. She was supervised by Merata, Paora and Hirini.

Rochelle's thesis was titled: Whakapapa, Whenua, Wai: A case study of Te Rimu Trust in the face of climate change.

Through case study research of Te Rimu Ahu Whenua Trust located in Te Araroa, East Coast of Aotearoa, New Zealand, this thesis investigates the impacts, challenges, and opportunities for Māori productive land holdings regarding climate change. Given the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events in Aotearoa and worldwide, landowners must find ways to protect and restore their lands and environments. This may include exploring new ways to address climate change.

While climate change is already impacting the land and will continue, this research argues that Te Rimu Trust is making efforts to respond to these challenges. However, the Trust is not yet fully prepared, primarily due to technical, resourcing, and planning limitations. It is only now beginning to consider how best to address climate challenges effectively, and many of its efforts remain in the early stages of development.

Utilising whakapapa as a methodology, this research investigates five Te Rimu trustees' perspectives, concerns, and approaches to climate-related issues. The study utilises interviews (kōrero) with trustees and elders (kaumātua), community meetings (hui), archival research, and reflexivity as the primary research methods. This thesis focuses on how the trustees are addressing environmental and climate issues and what steps they are taking to mitigate the effects of climate change. Also examined are the trustees’ ecological concerns for the Karakatūwhero River, which flows through the Trust’s boundaries and has been impacted by extreme weather events. The research uncovers trustees’ values and aspirations and addresses questions about leadership, succession, trust, community/shareholders relationships, and how the Trust is engaging in addressing climate resilience planning. The thematically discussed topics in this research are covered under a caucus of climate justice. The literature helps to interpret the climate challenges that Te Rimu Trust faces and the difficulties in addressing these issues equitably. The research findings also highlight key aspects of climate justice from the perspective of trustees and kaumātua narratives, thereby contributing to the literature from community viewpoints.

Link to thesis