Kākāpō: Regenerating Knowledge of an Endangered Taonga Species by

I affirm the validity of Māori knowledge in my pursuit of kākāpō, and in doing so, position my research in the struggle embedded in Kaupapa Māori methodology: the struggle for sovereignty and autonomy over Māori cultural wellbeing (Tuhiwai Smith, 2012, p. [...] Furthermore, “the role of the researcher is to become aware and recognise the tohu that guide the journey” and to be so involved as to “bring your whole self along the journey” (Nicholson 2020, p. [...] As I fluctuate amongst Te Rapunga, Te Kitenga and Te Rawenga, I am confronted: why are there not more kākāpō in the archives? I am moved to theorize about the search itself and the silence in between. [...] Kākāpō also fit this description: as the revitalization effort of this manu contributes to their population growth, so must Māori continue to sing and speak of the importance of this manu. [...] I was able to weave with intonations the many emotions that came with this research: the sorrow that kākāpō are endangered (of being extinct and of being forgotten), the reverence we must maintain for our ally, and the hope for the species’ future.