The Kaitiaki Intelligence Platform

Abstract: Māori agribusiness collectives (MACs) and iwi (tribal entities) in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) are seeking to enhance their environmental intelligence capabilities. With the evolution of environmental sensing technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and data warehousing, it has become financially and technically viable for MACs and iwi to establish their own environmental sensor networks (ESNs). Motivated by strong interest from these groups, and with funding secured from the Our Land and Water Science Challenge, the Kaitiaki Intelligence Platform project was initiated to design an Indigenous ESN.  This seminar will outline how mātauranga Māori can play a powerful role in ESN design through guiding data gathering and modelling processes, the application of artificial intelligence, the ground-truthing of remotely gathered information, and the integration of qualitative and intuitive Place centred insights into data communication. In addition, the modular design of the ESN will be outlined, and a process for its implementation based on the priorities and resourcing of indigenous communities, and the development of appropriate governance mechanisms.

Speaker Bio: Dr. John Reid is a Senior Research Fellow at the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre, University of Canterbury. With over 20 years of experience, John has collaborated with iwi to research and plan sustainable development pathways in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. He is particularly interested in the use of innovative technologies for environmental monitoring, regenerative production methods, environmental management, and nature-based-solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change, declining biodiversity, and excess nutrient emissions from agriculture. John has led several National Science Challenge and Endeavour research programmes and serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand.

Snacks and refreshments will be provided.