Traditional knowledge and science background combine in role

Joe Butterworth will be represting Te Arawa Lakes Trust at the Te Arawa Lakes Water Quality technical advisory group meetings. Photo/Supplied

Joe Butterworth is a firm believer in the importance of combining traditional Maori knowledge with Western science.

He believes combining the two approaches could create an even more holistic insight into environmental issues, especially when it comes to Te Arawa lakes.

"The previous generations were scientists in their own rights, or observers of the natural world."

Butterworth will help to bridge the two approaches, after being contracted to represent Te Arawa Lakes Trust at the Te Arawa Lakes Water Quality technical advisory group meetings.

Butterworth, with iwi affiliations to Te Arawa and Ngati Porou, grew up in Rotorua before leaving to study a bachelor of science and masters degree at the University of Waikato.

He's now self-employed, carrying out mainly field-based contract work that involves lake water quality sampling, upkeep and maintenance of the five water quality monitoring buoys on the lakes, aquatic biosecurity monitoring and surveillance.

His childhood growing up around the water and a love of fishing and diving led him to follow his interest through at university.

Butterworth said he was thrilled to be approached by Te Arawa Lakes Trust's environment manager Nicki Douglas to represent the trust around water quality.

"The trust is the key player by being involved with all aspects relating to lake management.

"Their work is ensuring that cultural and environmental values of Te Arawa are being upheld and incorporated into all decisions made around the lakes."

His key role is ensuring the trust is kept informed of all the information gained through the technical advisory group which will enhance the trust's future capability and kaitiakitanga over the lakes.

His average day is mainly field-based, either water sampling, maintaining the water quality monitoring buoys, diving or carrying out marine and fresh water pest monitoring.

"I enjoy being on the water and the practical aspects of the work and knowing that you're
contributing to the wider strategy to improve water quality."

Douglas said the trust was thrilled to have one of Te Arawa's own representing it.

"His extensive experience working on and around our Rotorua/Te Arawa lakes as part of the Lakes Programme means he knows first-hand what is happening with the various aspects of the programme."

Douglas said Butterworth's background, including the masters in science, meant he could add significant value by bringing his practical experience and technical knowledge to the advisory group table.

Butterworth said he would love to see more Maori encouraged into science and said one way to do that was targeting and encouraging rangatahi (youth) who had a genuine interest in the natural world that a career can be made from it.