Associate Professor Priscilla Wehi, Our people, Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago, New Zealand

Priscilla Wehi image 2020 Associate Professor

Director, Te Pūnaha Matatini Centre of Research Excellence in Complex Systems

Research background
Current and recent research projects
Significant publications
Publications

Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata
ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tina

Seek out distant horizons, and cherish those you attain

Research background

Priscilla is a conservation biologist whose research has two main research themes: first, ecological knowledge; evolutionary ecology, and especially foraging behaviour, including isotope and nutrient analyses of diet; and secondly, socioecological relationships, including cultural environmental management.

She frequently works on human-nature relationships, including biocultural diversity and past, present and future Indigenous environmental relationships. She also works on introduced species that challenge native ecosystems, insect ecology and behaviour, in particular the sexually dimorphic New Zealand tree wētā genus Hemideina spp.

She explores the relationship between conservation biology and mātauranga from her lived experience in extended whānau communities of Waikato, Ngāpuhi nui tonu and Tūhoe while also drawing from her roots as a New Zealand woman with Scottish clan origins. Current work includes building an inter-disciplinary team to explore Māori philosophical frameworks in relation to Antarctica in her role as Leader of the Vision Mātauranga programme in research exploring the effectiveness of the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area.

Priscilla supports cultural change and builds inclusivity in science to create broad platforms for intellectual advancement. In 2020 she received an Inspirational Alumna Award from the School of biological Sciences, University of Canterbury.

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Current and recent research projects

Ross Sea Research and Monitoring Programme (Ross-RAMP): is the world’s largest MPA effective?
Indigenous ecological knowledge, introduced species and the new New Zealand environment (Rutherford Discovery Fellowship, Royal Society of New Zealand)
Kaitiakitanga and Antarctic narratives (Marsden Fund)

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Significant publications

Wehi PM, van Uitregt V, Scott N, Gillies T, Beckwith J, Rodgers RP & Watene K. (in review). Transforming Antarctic policy and management with an Indigenous Māori lens.

Wehi PM, Brownstein G & Morgan-Richards M 2020. Indigenous plant naming and experimentation reveal a plant-insect relationship in New Zealand forests. Conservation Science and Practice e282.

Wehi PM, Cox MP, Roa T & Whaanga H 2018. Human perceptions revealed by linguistic analysis of Māori oral traditions. Human Ecology 2018: 1–10.

Wehi PM 2009. Indigenous ancestral sayings contribute to modern conservation partnerships: examples using Phormium tenax. Ecological Applications 19:267–275

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Publications

Wehi, P. M., Cox, M. P., Whaanga, H., & Roa, T. (2023). Tradition and change: Celebrating food systems resilience at two Indigenous Māori community events. Ecology & Society, 28(1), 19. doi: 10.5751/ES-13786-280119

Hann, M. G., Baltutis, K., Barefoot, N., Charmantier, A., Colucci, A., Durussel, C., … Wehi, P. (2022). Togetherness for Antarcticness. In I. Kelman (Ed.), Antarcticness: Inspirations and imaginaries. (pp. 144-157). London, UK: UCL Press. doi: 10.14324/111.9781800081444

Wehi, P. M., Rogers, K. M., Jowett, T., & Sabadel, A. J. M. (2022). Interpreting past trophic ecology of a threatened alpine parrot, kea (Nestor notabilis), from museum specimens. Journal of Animal Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.13742

Van Uitregt, V., Sullivan, I., Watene, K., & Wehi, P. (2022). Negotiating greater Māori participation in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, policy, and governance. Polar Journal, 1-20. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/2154896X.2022.2058222

Rayne, A., Blair, S., Dale, M., Flack, B., Hollows, J., Moraga, R., … Wehi, P. M., Wylie, M. J., & Steeves, T. E. (2022). Weaving place-based knowledge for culturally significant species in the age of genomics: Looking to the past to navigate the future. Evolutionary Applications. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/eva.13367

Chapter in Book - Research

Wehi, P., Hetaraka, T. W., Robinson, F., Hetaraka, P., & York, J. (2021). Māori culture in Antarctica: Preserving knowledge and Papatūānuku. In G. Foscari & UNLESS. (Eds.), Antarctic resolution. (pp. 536). Zurich, Switzerland: Lars Müller. [Contribution].

Chapter in Book - Research

Wehi, P., Whaanga, H., Watene, K., & Steeves, T. (2021). Mātauranga as knowledge, process and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. In T. F. Thornton & S. A. Bhagwat (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of indigenous environmental knowledge. (pp. 186-197). London, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315270845

Chapter in Book - Research

Whaanga, H., & Wehi, P. (2015). Te Wawao I Te Mātauranga Māori: Indigenous knowledge in a digital age: Issues and ethics of knowledge management and knowledge exchange in Aotearoa/New Zealand. In R. E. Rinehart, E. Emerald & R. Matamua (Eds.), Ethnographies in pan Pacific research: Tensions and positionings. (pp. 231-250). New York, NY: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781315718927

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Hall, M. M., Wehi, P. M., Whaanga, H., Walker, E. T., Koia, J. H., & Wallace, K. J. (2021). Promoting social and environmental justice to support Indigenous partnerships in urban ecosystem restoration. Restoration Ecology, 29(1), e13305. doi: 10.1111/rec.13305

Journal - Research Article

Reihana, K. R., Wehi, P. M., Harcourt, N., Booth, P., Murray, J. M., & Pomare-Pieta, M. (2021). Indigenisation of conservation education in New Zealand. Pacific Conservation Biology, 27, 493-504. doi: 10.1071/PC20060

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., van Uitregt, V., Scott, N. J., Gillies, T., Beckwith, J., Rodgers, R. P., & Watene, K. (2021). Transforming Antarctic management and policy with an Indigenous Māori lens. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 5, 1055-1059. doi: 10.1038/s41559-021-01466-4

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Wilson, D. J., Stone, C., Ricardo, H., Jones, C., Jakob-Hoff, R., & Lyver, P. O. (2021). Managing for cultural harvest of a valued introduced species, the Pacific rat (Rattus exulans) in Aotearoa New Zealand. Pacific Conservation Biology, 27, 432-441. doi: 10.1071/PC20094

Journal - Research Article

Parli, A., Besson, A., Wehi, P., & Johnson, S. (2020). Sub-lethal exposure to a mammalian pesticide bait alters behaviour in an orthopteran. Journal of Insect Conservation, 24, 536-546. doi: 10.1007/s10841-020-00222-6

Journal - Research Article

Ricardo, H., Wilson, D. J., & Wehi, P. M. (2020). Kiore (Rattus exulans) distribution and relative abundance on a small highly modified island. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 47(4), 350-359. doi: 10.1080/03014223.2020.1785515

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Brownstein, G., & Morgan-Richards, M. (2020). Indigenous plant naming and experimentation reveal a plant-insect relationship in New Zealand forests. Conservation Science & Practice, 2, e282. doi: 10.1111/csp2.282

Journal - Research Article

Bond, M. O., Anderson, B. J., Henare, T. H. A., & Wehi, P. (2019). Effects of climatically shifting species distributions on biocultural relationships. People & Nature, 1, 87-102. doi: 10.1002/pan3.15

Journal - Research Article

Cisternas, J., Wehi, P. M., Haupokia, N., Hughes, F., Hughes, M., Germano, J. M., Longnecker, N., & Bishop, P. J. (2019). 'Get together, work together, write together': A novel framework for conservation of New Zealand frogs. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43(3), 3392. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.43.32

Journal - Research Article

Walker, E. T., Wehi, P. M., Nelson, N. J., Beggs, J. R., & Whaanga, H. (2019). Kaitiakitanga, place and the urban restoration agenda. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43(3), 3381. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.43.34

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Beggs, J. R., & Anderson, B. J. (2019). Leadership and diversity in the New Zealand Ecological Society. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43(2), 3368. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.43.16

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Carter, L., Harawira, T. W., Fitzgerald, G., Lloyd, K., Whaanga, H., & MacLeod, C. J. (2019). Enhancing awareness and adoption of cultural values through use of Māori bird names in science communication and environmental reporting. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43(3), 3387. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.43.35

Journal - Research Article

Brown, M. B. G. J., Gemmill, C. E. C., Miller, S., & Wehi, P. M. (2018). Diet selectivity in a terrestrial forest invertebrate, the Auckland tree wētā, across three habitat zones. Ecology & Evolution, 8(5), 2495-2503. doi: 10.1002/ece3.3763

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Cox, M. P., Roa, T., & Whaanga, H. (2018). Human perceptions of megafaunal extinction events revealed by linguistic analysis of indigenous oral traditions. Human Ecology, 46(4), 461-470. doi: 10.1007/s10745-018-0004-0

Journal - Research Article

Whaanga, H., Wehi, P., Cox, M., Roa, T., & Kusabs, I. (2018). Māori oral traditions record and convey indigenous knowledge of marine and freshwater resources. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 52(4), 487-496. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2018.1488749

Journal - Research Article

Morgan, D. K. J., Clapperton, B. K., Gillanders, J. A., & Wehi, P. M. (2017). The palatability of undyed carrot surface-coated with repellents, or dyed blue or green to a terrestrial macroinvertebrate. New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 44(3), 212-224. doi: 10.1080/03014223.2017.1289473

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., & Lord, J. M. (2017). Importance of including cultural practices in ecological restoration. Conservation Biology, 31(5), 1109-1118. doi: 10.1111/cobi.12915

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Monks, A., & Morgan-Richards, M. (2017). Male tree weta are attracted to cuticular scent cues but do not discriminate according to sex or among two closely related species. Ethology, 123, 825-834. doi: 10.1111/eth.12652

Journal - Research Article

Jacob, S., Wehi, P., Clobert, J., Legrand, D., Schtickzelle, N., Huet, M., & Chaine, A. (2016). Cooperation-mediated plasticity in dispersal and colonization. Evolution, 70(10), 2336-2345. doi: 10.1111/evo.13028

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Jorgensen, M., & Morgan, D. K. J. (2015). Predictors of relative abundance of tree weta (Hemideina thoracica) in an urban forest remnant. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 39(2), 280-285.

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P., Anderson, B. J., & Haines, E. (2014). Participation in the Science Fair: A call for data. New Zealand Science Review, 71(4), 104-107.

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Jorgensen, M., & Morgan-Richards, M. (2013). Sex- and season-dependent behaviour in a flightless insect, the Auckland tree weta (Hemideina thoracica). New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 37(1), 75-83.

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Raubenheimer, D., & Morgan-Richards, M. (2013). Tolerance for nutrient imbalance in an intermittently feeding herbivorous cricket, the Wellington tree weta. PLoS ONE, 8(12), e84641. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0084641

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P., Cox, M., Roa, T., & Whaanga, H. (2013). Marine resources in Māori oral tradition: He kai moana, he kai mā te hinengaro. Journal of Marine & Island Cultures, 2(2), 59-68. doi: 10.1016/j.imic.2013.11.006

Journal - Research Article

Whaanga, H., Papa, W., Wehi, P., & Roa, T. (2013). The use of the Māori language in species nomenclature. Journal of Marine & Island Cultures, 2(2), 78-84. doi: 10.1016/j.imic.2013.11.007

Journal - Research Article

MacKay, D. B., Wehi, P. M., & Clarkson, B. D. (2011). Evaluating restoration success in urban forest plantings in Hamilton, New Zealand. Urban Habitats, 6. Retrieved from http://www.urbanhabitats.org

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Nakagawa, S., Trewick, S. A., & Morgan-Richards, M. (2011). Does predation result in adult sex ratio skew in a sexually dimorphic insect genus? Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 24(11), 2321-2328. doi: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02366.x

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., & Hicks, B. J. (2010). Isotopic fractionation in a large herbivorous insect, the Auckland tree weta. Journal of Insect Physiology, 56, 1877-1882. doi: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2010.08.005

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., & Wehi, W. L. (2010). Traditional plant harvesting in contemporary fragmented and urban landscapes. Conservation Biology, 24(2), 594-604. doi: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2009.01376.x

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M. (2009). Indigenous ancestral sayings contribute to modern conservation partnerships: Examples using Phormium tenax. Ecological Applications, 19(1), 267-275. doi: 10.1890/07-1693.1

Journal - Research Article

Clarkson, B. D., Wehi, P. M., & Brabyn, L. K. (2007). A spatial analysis of indigenous cover patterns and implications for ecological restoration in urban centres, New Zealand. Urban Ecosystems, 10, 441-457. doi: 10.1007/s11252-007-0035-6

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M. (2006). Kuta (Eleocharis sphacelata, Cyperaceae), a locally important and highly valued weaving plant. He Puna Korero, 7(2), 39-44.

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Barrell, G. K., & Hickling, G. J. (2006). Hormonal correlates of social rank in an asocial species, the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Ethology, 112, 639-648. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.2005.01185.x

Journal - Research Article

McAllum, P. M. (2005). Development and care of pā harakeke in 19th century New Zealand: Voices from the past. He Puna Korero, 6(1), 2-15.

Journal - Research Article

Wehi, P. M., Scott, N. J., Beckwith, J., Rodgers, R. P., Gillies, T., Van Uitregt, V., & Watene, K. (2022). A short scan of Māori journeys to Antarctica [Short Communication]. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 52(5), 587-598. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2021.1917633

Journal - Research Other

McAllister, T. G., Beggs, J. R., Ogilvie, S., Kirikiri, R., Black, A., & Wehi, P. M. (2019). Kua takoto te mānuka: Mātauranga Māori in New Zealand ecology. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43(3), 3393. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.43.41

Journal - Research Other

Wehi, P. M., Beggs, J. R., & McAllister, T. G. (2019). Ka mua, ka muri: The inclusion of mātauranga Māori in New Zealand ecology. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 43(3), 3379. doi: 10.20417/nzjecol.43.40

Journal - Research Other

Whaanga, H., & Wehi, P. (2017). Rāhui and conservation? Māori voices in the nineteenth century niupepa Māori [Short communication]. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 47(1), 100-106. doi: 10.1080/03036758.2016.1252408

Journal - Research Other

Timewell, E., Wehi, P., & Haines, E. (2014). Absolutely positively science [Guest editorial]. New Zealand Science Review, 71(3), 58. [Editorial].

Journal - Research Other

Hong, S.-K., Wehi, P., & Matsuda, H. (2013). Island biocultural diversity and traditional ecological knowledge. Journal of Marine & Island Cultures, 2(2), 57-58. doi: 10.1016/j.imic.2013.11.005

Journal - Research Other

Wehi, P. M., Whaanga, H., & Trewick, S. A. (2012). Artefacts, biology and bias in museum collection research. Molecular Ecology, 21, 3103-3109. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2012.05589.x

Journal - Research Other

Griffin, M. J., Trewick, S. A., Wehi, P. M., & Morgan-Richards, M. (2011). Exploring the concept of niche convergence in a land without rodents: The case of weta as small mammals [Forum article]. New Zealand Journal of Ecology, 35(3), 302-307.

Journal - Research Other

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