Taxpayer money has been spent on a research project that used methods such as whale song and whale-oil potions to treat Kauri dieback.
The project, funded through the National Science Challenges programme administered by MBIE, aimed to heal Kauri trees affected by the devastating disease.
The Taxpayer’s Union revealed details of the Oranga (Wellbeing) Project, saying the total cost amounted to $4,027,020.
Research methods included using “sonic samples of healthy whales to construct a tapestry of rejuvenation and wellbeing” for the trees.
Taxpayers’ Union spokesman James Ross criticised the approach, calling it “absurd.”
“Kauri dieback is a natural disaster. I’m no biologist, but I can confidently say a whale-song mix-tape isn’t going to stop it. Nor are pagan potions made from whale-oil on the basis, apparently, that whales once walked the Earth and are the brothers of Kauri trees,” Ross said.
The Taxpayers’ Union pointed out the contradiction between the Government’s stated goals of fostering economic growth through science and innovation and the funding of projects like this.
“At the same time the Government’s plugging economic growth through science and innovation, we find out that the Strategic Science Investment Fund has been used to play nautical noises at trees,” Ross said.
“The Taxpayers’ Union are all for blue-sky thinking. But if the Government’s chucking millions at any ‘research’ project which comes begging, a common-sense check might be needed if even this one’s made it past the keeper.”
Ross quipped that for $4 million, “the very least taxpayers could expect is a copy of the CD.”
“With the announcement yesterday that the Crown Research Institutes are being rolled up and re-organised into “Public Research Organisations”, let’s hope the change is more than just a rebrand.”
“If this is what counts as science, then we’re all in trouble” Ross said.
The Science Minister needs to be clear that, as part of the science-shakeup, nonsense projects like this will be a thing of the past.”
Source: Taxpayers Union
The Oranga Project defended its methods, on its website referencing the cultural and scientific context of their work.
“Māori whakapapa describes how the kauri and tohorā (sperm whale) are brothers, but they were separated when the tohorā chose the ocean over the forest,” the project said on its website.
“In this research area, we looked at how this connection could possibly help save the kauri from kauri dieback disease.”
The team, led by Matua Tohe Ashby, investigated rongoā (traditional medicine) solutions for kauri dieback. This involved incorporating tohorā, karakia, and mōteatea into their research, tying into another Oranga research project called Te Reo o te Waonui a Tāne (The Language of the Domain of Tāne).
According to the project, Dr. Valance Smith and his team collaborated with the Pawarenga community to explore ihirangaranga—vibrations and frequencies—as healing sounds.
Using a soundscape woven with sonic samples of healthy kauri, whale song, and taonga pūoro (traditional Māori instruments), the research aimed to create a tapestry of rejuvenation and well-being for the trees.
Additionally, the project captured soundscapes of ailing kauri trees to establish baseline data for ongoing monitoring of their healing progress.
The Oranga Project highlighted the use of mātauranga Māori tools such as pūrākau (oral narratives), maramataka (lunar calendar), and ngā kaupeka (seasonal phases), which were uniquely adapted to the Pawarenga region.
These tools were described as both treatment modalities and management resources, empowering local communities to support the health of their kauri forests.
MBIE did not answer specific questions about the research.
However, Danette Olsen, General Manager Science System Investment and Performance said “The New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge hosted and implemented a Strategic Science Investment Fund (SSIF) research platform to combat the spread of kauri dieback and myrtle rust over a 5-year period from May 2019 to March 2024.
“For the Oranga (Wellbeing) project, decisions about funding research as part of the Kauri Dieback/Myrtle Rust SSIF programme were made by the Biological Heritage Governance Group. MBIE’s SSIF contract has ended with the platform and there are no projected future costs from MBIE.”
The “Oranga” project represented approximately 12% of funding for the SSIF kauri dieback and myrtle rust research platform.
“We understand the bulk of the $4 million funding was used for seed banking protocols and collection. However, we direct you to Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research for more information about the research and how it was conducted.”
James Ross said “we’ve asked for a breakdown of costs from Landcare Research and been denied – without seeing the invoices on this, it’s anyone’s guess where that money’s ended up.”
“When there’s millions of taxpayer dollars on the line, there’s no excuse for the public not to see the receipts. Not least when the money’s being used to play whalesong to trees.”
“Landcare need to front up and release the details. Burying their heads in the sand won’t make the scandal go away.”
Landcare Research, which was contracted to administer the funding, declined to answer any questions and instead directed ChrisLynchMedia.com to submit inquiries through the Official Information Act.
