Hands-on geology at the marae

Within every rock waits a story to be told.

That’s the idea behind Te Kura Whenua, a marae-based, hands-on workshop on geology.

GNS Science palaeoclimate scientist Richard Levy is sharing the stories of the rocks he has brought to the marae to explain how geologists glean information from them. Photo: Veronika Meduna / RNZ

Communities face increasingly complex issues around resource management, natural hazards and climate change. As the complexities increase, so does the need for a greater understanding of the natural systems underlying them. To facilitate that, GNS Science runs marae-based geology wananga to provide some answers, while at the same time learning about local issues and perspectives.

Geologist Chris Hollis says the programme is a partnership between GNS Science and Ngati Kahungunu and focuses on issues of interest to the iwi.

“We’ve been covering a range of topics from petroleum exploration to climate change, to geological hazards to environmental protection. The whole concept was a response to Ngati Kahungunu wanting to find out more about the geology of their rohe (territory).”

The most recent wananga was hosted by Kohunui marae in the Wairarapa.

Participants meet at the wharenui at Kohunui marae to listen to stories about what rockscan tells us about their environment. Image: Veronika Meduna

At Lake Onoke,the group first described the natural features of the landscape before taking a mud core to learn about the past. Image: Marianna Terezow

The first mud core emerges, bearing traces of fires and large waves in the past. Image: Veronika Meduna

GNS Science palaeoclimate scientists examines the mud core. Image: Veronika Meduna

The group took samples from different depths of the mud core to examine them under the microscope. Image: Marianna Terezow

Viewed under the microscope, the samples show seeds of plants and the shells of algae. Image: Marianna Terezow

At the Putangirua Pinnacles, the team explored stream-side outcrops. Image: Marianna Terezow

On some rocks, the team used an acid test to determine the presence of calcium carbonate. Image: Marianna Terezow

Seismic profiles show the contours of geological layers below ground. Image: Marianna Terezow

Mud core samples are washed in preparation for analysis. Image: Marianna Terezow

Using all sense: the easiest way to test for grain size is to taste a rock. Image: Marianna Terezow

Poring over a seismic map. Image: Marianna Terezow

At Mangapari Steam, the group examined boulders and outcrops.

In a melding of science outreach and experiential learning, Chris Hollis says the approach is “hands-on, minds-on learning”.

The three-day workshop at Kohunui marae began with storytelling, exploring what rocks from different locations reveal about the geological history and changes in the environment over time.  

Participants then went on fieldtrips to Lake Onoke, the Tora coast, Kupe’s Sail and the Putangirua Pinnacles to learn about geological methods, including the extraction of sediment cores and the production of seismic profile maps as tools to glean information about environmental changes and natural hazards in the past.