The Sustainable Seas – Ko ngā moana whakauka National Science Challenge, hosted by NIWA, has now ended and as a legacy the Challenge has launched a new tool Tohorā. This innovative AI-powered search tool aims to revolutionise the sharing and review of research and is the first of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand. The tool leverages artificial intelligence to perform a natural language search of Sustainable Seas’ research outputs over the past 10 years, swiftly and accurately distilling the key findings into clear, concise summaries. By doing so, Tohorā facilitates the compilation of research and information spanning different marine research areas, making the research more accessible to a wide audience, regardless of their prior knowledge.

‍

Over the past ten years, the Sustainable Seas – Ko ngā moana whakauka National Science Challenge has engaged 450 cross-disciplinary research professionals, including ecologists, community researchers, kaupapa Māori researchers, experts in mātauranga Māori, economists, lawyers, social scientists, and marine environment practitioners. Their collective research has primarily focused on Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM), the Blue Economy, and integrating te ao Māori, the Māori worldview in the context of our marine environment. Tohorā's primary objective is to provide crucial insights gathered from the Challenge research that can guide policymaking, influence sustainable business practices, and empower community groups to undertake significant real-world actions.

‍

Dr Julie Hall, Director of the Challenge said, “Over the past decade, Sustainable Seas has facilitated crucial research conducted by 450 ecologists, community researchers, kaupapa Māori researchers, experts in mātauranga Māori, economists, lawyers, social scientists and other marine environment practitioners.

‍

“The aim of Tohorā is for this decade of extensive research to remain accessible to researchers, policymakers, councils, iwi, communities, and businesses alike. By doing so, we can ensure the knowledge created during the Challenge continues to inform decision-making, enhance ecologic health, and shape marine management practices and policies in Aotearoa, particularly within the blue economy.

‍

Linda Faulkner, Sustainable Seas Manahautū, Deputy Director Māori and Pou Whakarae Te Hiringa Taiao (Chief Scientist – Te Kūwaha) NIWA has said, “significant legacy left by Sustainable Seas is the creation of space for iwi, hapū and Māori research and approaches that reclaim, revitalise and restore our connection as iwi taketake (indigenous people) to the Moana."

‍

“Through Tohorā, we continue to showcase how a transdisciplinary approach to marine management that is guided through a te ao Māori lens can be remarkably successful in managing and restoring environments, communities and livelihoods across Aotearoa.”

‍