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Episode details

World Service,28 Apr 2025,26 mins

Unstoppable: Kura Paul-Burke

Discovery

Available for over a year

This week, how Māori marine scientist Kura-Paul Burke is combining indigenous knowledge with marine science to save the oceans that are so integral to her heritage. Growing up in 1970s New Zealand, Kura-Paul Burke faced stigma due to her Māori roots. But, after finding herself studying marine science as an adult, Kura leaned on her heritage to take on a problem where many had already failed: restoring a lost population of precious, green-lipped mussels. Discover how Māori ancestresses, tribal elders and centuries-old knowledge inspired the ingenious methods of Aotearoa's first female Māori professor of marine science. (Photo: Dr Kura Paul-Burke in a vessel at sea. She has long grey hair and is smiling, with waves in the background and a rocky landmass. Credit: Dr Kura Paul-Burke) Producer/presenter: Ella Hubber and Julia Ravey Assistant producer: Sophie Ormiston, Anna Charalambou and Josie Hardy Sound engineer: Ella Roberts Production co-ordinator: Ishmael Soriano Editor: Holly Squire

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