Ms Vanessa Crowe1, Ms Macy Duxfield1
1Envrionmental Protection Authority, Wellington, New Zealand
Biography:
Vanessa Crowe – Pākehā, Tangata Tiriti
Vanessa Crowe (MFA), is the Principal Community Engagement Lead at Te Mana Rauhī Taiao | New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority, where she leads community engagement initiatives including the Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao programme. With ten years of experience in local and central government, Vanessa has been instrumental in fostering community involvement in environmental decision making and regulatory process. Her background as a creative practitioner is reflected in her innovative use of visual communication and design thinking.
Macy Duxfield – Ngaa Rauru, Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Kāi Tahu
Macy is the programme advisor for Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao. She brings to this role experience in environmental, climate change, and Indigenous Rights policy and advocacy work within tribal and pan-tribal Māori spaces. Her work supports communities, iwi, and hapū to engage with environmental monitoring and decision-making in ways that uphold Indigenous knowledge systems and data sovereignty.
Abstract:
For five years, Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao has provided more than 3,000 environmental DNA (eDNA) tests and supported over 60 community-led monitoring projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. The NZ EPA’s community science programme supports eDNA monitoring led by iwi, hapū, whānau (Māori tribal, subtribes and families), catchment groups and communities. Our recently published book, Wai Tuwhera o te Taiao, captures the story of our programme and it's outcomes.
The collective impact of participating groups has significantly contributed to protecting and restoring precious ecosystems across Aotearoa. Groups have used eDNA data alongside their own traditional and place-based knowledge to detect pests, invasive species, and biosecurity threats; monitor taonga species; and inform restoration actions. Projects have built science capability within communities, including young people.
Our findings show that supporting a community-led, relational approach grounded in reciprocal learning and cultural practice has contributed to a growing social licence for eDNA monitoring in Aotearoa. Scaling eDNA from method to mainstream has been strengthened by trusted relationships, community ownership and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems.
Evidence collected through the programme has supported iwi, hapū and communities to participate in environmental decision-making and regulatory processes. Groups retain ownership of their data and the programme supports iwi and hapū to exercise sovereignty and self-determination over data. It has also elevated dialogue about data sovereignty. Early adoption by place-based communities, iwi, and hapū has informed eDNA practice in Aotearoa, including reference databases, accessible testing tools, and protocols for data ownership and access.