Nga Uri O Te Ngahere Trust funded Research Programmes

The Tino Rangatiratanga o Rātou Taonga Katoa research programme is derived from the guardianship responsibilities we have to protect Taonga, the treasures of Aotearoa, and address inequalities within our communities.

It researches the rich history of Māori economic development immediately after first European contact, which created the foundation of primary production in Aotearoa and our first agriculture export, and it applies those te Ao Māori principles and practices within the industry, to create whenua based social enterprises that enhance environmental sustainability, delivering wellbeing, as opposed to revenue only, to primary producers.

It draws together the wisdom of gifted Rangatira and the science capability of world renowned scientists from PFR and AGR, creating a confluence of knowledge that will be applied to restoring Mana, and a social licence to operate within the currently exploitative primary production industry.

The research team will redesign primary production as a Mosaic of interwoven land use enterprises that deliver social, environmental, cultural and economic wellbeing, starting in the East Cape region, with 150,000ha of Ngati Porou whenua underpinning this production reformat. It will then, over the following 10 years, support industry to adopt the Model and expand it across Aotearoa.

The programme reconfigures the supply chain making it ecologically responsive and adaptive to producer needs, consumer preferences and market trends. The provenance story and Brand created via the development of eco-credentials and cultural authenticity will deliver a premium return on current [commodified] primary produce, generating an economic lift in rural Māori communities, then across the sector.

This kaupapa Māori research and development programme is an Exemplar. It operationalises Government development objectives and informs new [sustainable] Policy settings.