Conference explores nature-inspired solutions for sustainable development

The event was held at Te Rau Karamū Marae on the university’s Pukeahu campus in Wellington. Titled How to achieve the SDGs? Let’s ask nature, the summit was a day-long exploration of how sustainability can be improved across various arenas, from transport and the economy to human wellbeing, and how we can look to nature for guidance.

The event, which was attended by 50 people in person and 80 online, was a precursor to the major Aotearoa National Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit event in 2025, which the university will be hosting on its Manawatū campus.

Those in attendance included Massey academic and professional staff, postgraduate students, representatives from organisations such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Climate Justic Union, AgResearch, Macpac, Volunteer Service Abroad, EnviroSchools, the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, and staff from other universities across the country.

Professors Regina Scheyvens and Glenn Banks from the School of People, Environment and Planning co-convened the event.

Senior Leadership Team members Deputy Vice-Chancellor Māori Professor Meihana Durie, Rangitāne, Ngāti Kauwhata, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou, Rongo Whakaata, Ngāi Tahu, Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Students and Global Engagement Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly, Ngāti Whakaue ki Maketu, Te Arawa, also took part.

Professor Durie opened proceedings by encouraging participants to apply a te ao Māori (Māori worldview) lens to the day’s discussions.

Indigenous approaches to and engagement with the SDG agenda was a common thread throughout the day’s proceedings, as the ‘Let’s ask nature’ concept revealed the importance of the principles of mātauranga Māori to a vision for a more sustainable Aotearoa.

Following a keynote address by Professor Jason Mika, Tūhoe, Ngāti Awa, Whakatōhea, Ngāti Kahungunu, of the University of Waikato, participants took part in an interactive workshop led by Professor Huhana Smith MNZM, Ngāti Tukorehe, Te Mateawa, Ngāti Rangitāwhia, Ngāti Kapumanawawhiti ki Kuku.

Participants were challenged by Professor Smith to work with maps and images of her whenua in the Horowhenua to creatively reimagine what a more sustainable future for the region might look like, balancing economic, social and environmental values across the landscape and communities.

The afternoon consisted of a plenary panel responding to four different provocations, such as ‘How to help people move around more sustainably’ led by Dr Kirsty Wild (another Massey alumni) from the University of Auckland. Workshops on the panel topics followed, with the plenary speakers challenging and provoking participants to find new ways to approach agriculture, transport, wellbeing and the economy.

The day was rounded out with reflections and key takeaways. Participants were encouraged to write on a postcard one change they were going to make in their professional or personal life as a result of the day’s events. The postcard will be sent out to them early next year to gently remind everyone of what they had committed to.

Professor Scheyvens says the event was a great success.

“Surrounded by stunning carved panels and sitting under a high ceiling adorned with gorgeous depictions of both constellations and native trees and birds, we were inspired and shared positive ideas of how to move forward with solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges that work with, not against, mother nature.”

Dr Sharon Bell from the New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, who is also a Massey alumna, came away from the event feeling inspired.

“What a day! My heart, soul and mind were filled.”

Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes says, “The summit was stimulating, engaging and well organised. As we build towards the two-day summit next year, Massey will continue to show real leadership in implementing the SDGs through our research and teaching and also in various localised, grounded and deeply authentic ways.”