Boffa Miskell worked with Aukaha and Te Ao Mārama Ltd to weave mātauranga Māori, Kāi Tahu values, tikaka and cultural narratives throughout the project, while addressing risks to biodiversity, waterways, ecosystems, infrastructure, communities and primary industries. 

Through engagement with representatives from rūnanga across the Otago region, the cultural narratives reflect Kāi Tahu whakaaro on te taiao, wai, whakapapa and the interconnected systems that shape life in Te Waipounamu. 

Artist Alex Gorrie designed a tohu motif to support the story of water moving through the region. Embedded throughout the StoryMap and summary resources, the tohu expresses the symbolism, relationships and narratives at the heart of the project. 

Following a technical review of the Risk Assessment Report, Boffa Miskell facilitated six district and regional workshops with councils and mana whenua representatives. These sessions asked, "What Matters Most?" locally if, or when, climate change risks occur. The insights gathered helped shape the structure and narratives of the Otago Climate Story StoryMap and summary resources. 

The project produced five district summaries, one regional summary and the interactive StoryMap. Plain language, visual storytelling and place-based examples bring together technical science, mātauranga Māori, Kāi Tahu values and locally specific knowledge in a coherent narrative. 

Boffa Miskell's combination of local knowledge and expertise in climate-risk assessment, adaptation planning, engagement, mātauranga Māori, ecology, nature-based solutions, GIS, visualisation and public communication supported the work. Existing relationships with local stakeholders provided a strong foundation for collaborative delivery. 

The Otago Climate Story offers an innovative way to engage people, landowners and decision-makers with climate change risk from the perspective of communities, landscapes, infrastructure and ecosystems. It is the first regional risk assessment in New Zealand to be adapted in this way, using ki uta ki tai as its organising narrative. 

Grounded in Kāi Tahu mana whenua knowledge and experiences, Otago's Climate Story explains how the climate is changing, what this means for local communities, infrastructure, services and natural environments, and what is being done today to build resilience.

See the Otago Climate Story StoryMap for more information.