Full bibliography

Biodiversity is about existence and well-being based on protecting the variety of earth's life forms. Although natural processes can cause species depletion and extinction, the prime cause in the last 100 years has been human activity. Internationally, everyone has a responsibility to sustain biodiversity and maintain the widest genetic pool of biological wealth for future generations. In New Zealand, Maori have a unique role to play in sustaining indigenous biodiversity, not only in terms of kaitiakitanga but in achieving national biodiversity goals through the provision of another cultural perspective, another knowledge system, which will help plans for the future. Traditional concepts and perspectives are summarised. A research framework is proposed to show the role biodiversity could have for Maori advancement and to underpin a bicultural approach for achieving national biodiversity outcomes.