Wai Pasifika

Discover the profound insights of freshwater stewardship in Wai Pasifika's latest offering. This beautifully illustrated paperback by renowned author David Young highlights the essential lessons we can learn from Polynesian perspectives and practices regarding water conservation. At 189 x 253 mm with 288 pages, this book combines historical context with contemporary ecological challenges, making it a must-read for those interested in Indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable living. Young's depth of understanding is enriched by his personal encounters and the voices of the Pacific's indigenous cultures, illustrating the vital, yet often overlooked, connection between humans and nature. As urbanization and climate change threaten our water resources, 'Woven by Water' inspires a renewed commitment to holistic environmental stewardship. Young reveals how developed societies can transform their approach to water management through respect and reverence for natural ecosystems. This inspiring narrative engages readers with analytical depth and emotional resonance, solidifying Young's reputation as a leading voice in ecological discourse. Embrace the future of water management with lessons from the heart of the Pacific. Ideal for educators, environmentalists, and anyone passionate about ecology and Indigenous rights, this book is a call to action for sustainable practices rooted in respect for place and life.

Author: David Young Publisher: Otago University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 189 x 253 mm
Pages: 288
Publication Date: 01-10-2021

Science can be as wondrous as the explanations that come out of earth-rooted cultures. Polynesians, like the inhabitants of Oceania generally, have always lived in a state of heightened awareness of the profundity and subtlety of nature’s moods and interrelationships. Theirs was a holistic view of the world and their place in it. In this beautifully written and stunningly illustrated book, David Young focuses on the increasingly endangered resource of freshwater, and what so-called developed societies can learn from the indigenous voices of the Pacific. Combining nineteenth century and indigenous sources with a selection of modern studies and his own personal encounters, Young keeps a human face on the key issue of water. He confirms that the gift of indigenous people to their colonisers is that they offer systematic and different concepts of being in, and experiencing, nature. It is time people woke up to the dangers and began to embrace possible solutions, Young argues in this inspiring and deeply moving study. Current trends in water management are not only wasteful and destructive but also ultimately deadly. He concludes, however, on a hopeful note, arguing that there is potential for change. The future rests on developing the discipline of deep respect for place, for planet and for life in its myriad forms. Woven by Water …gives us information and analysis plus feeling; it doesn’t simply inform, it resonates ... I commend it wholeheartedly. - Michael King For a long time David Young has been one of the clearest and most respected writers on New Zealand ecology, a champion for what its people hold in trust. - Vincent O’Sullivan