He Mihi

We acknowledge the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand, the Māori communities whose knowledge systems—Mātauranga Māori—continue to shape and enrich our understanding of the world.

This text is grounded in deep respect for the land, waters, and peoples who have cared for these places for generations. We honour the wisdom, resilience, and innovation embedded in Indigenous worldviews, and recognise that engineering practice does not occur in a vacuum, but within cultural, historical, and ecological contexts.

As such, we draw strength and guidance from the Māori proverb:

He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

May this text serve as an invitation to listen, to learn, and to lead with care.