Kura Paul-Burke (NgÃÂti Awa, NgÃÂti Whakahemo) is a New Zealand MÃÂori marine scientist, and is the first woman MÃÂori professor of marine science at the University of Waikato. Her research focuses on mÃÂtauranga MÃÂori and aquaculture.
Paul-Burke whakapapas to NgÃÂti Awa and NgÃÂti Whakahemo.
Paul-Burke's interest in environmental science began when she was snorkeling around Whakaari. She quit her job and enrolled at Auckland University of Technology to study for a Bachelor of Applied Science. She then earned a Master of Indigenous studies degree in 2011, with a thesis on surveys of taonga species in NgÃÂti Awa waters. In 2015, Paul-Burke completed a PhD titled An investigation into marine management of taonga species in Aotearoa New Zealand: A case study of kutai, perna canaliculus, green-lipped mussels in Ohiwa harbour at Te Whare WÃÂnanga o AwanuiÃÂrangi.
Paul-Burke joined the faculty of the University of Waikato, rising to full professor in 2022. She was the first wahine MÃÂori (MÃÂori woman) professor of marine science appointed at the University of Waikato, and her appointment brought the number of MÃÂori marine professors in New Zealand to three.
During her studies, Paul-Burke noticed a relationship between the cultural diversity of people and marine biodiversity, noting that "areas where indigenous peoples speak their languages and enact their traditional practices are the areas with the highest biodiversity". Her research has shown that mÃÂtauranga MÃÂori approaches to marine science can be beneficial. For instance, between 2007 and 2019 the population of green-lipped mussels in à Âhiwa harbour had dropped from 120 million to fewer than 80,000, due to a number of challenges, including the effects of seastars. Working with the Bay of Plenty Council, local iwi and MÃÂori weavers, Paul-Burke used fibre from cabbage tree leaves and flax to replace the normal plastic spat lines, increasing the mussel population to 800,000. In working with iwi on kaitiakitanga approaches to marine conservation, Paul-Burke emphasises the importance of collecting data to make evidence-based decisions.
Paul-Burke is a project leader at the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge.
Paul-Burke was a semi-finalist in the 2023 Ministry for the EnvironmentâÂÂs New Zealand Environmental Hero of the Year.