Ngā Kaihoe - Support team

The inspiration behind the names Ngā Kaihoe for the parent programme team and Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao for the place-based pilots came from kaupapa Māori researcher, Oriwa Tamahou of Ngāi Tūhoe and Waikato Tainui. The names provided a deeper sense of understanding and connection to the journey towards informing land-use changes with Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnerships and te taiao at its center.
 
Kaiurungi are the steerers of the waka, people that navigate choppy waters.
 
Kaihoe are the paddlers that keep a steady rhythm and progress the waka forward following the directions of the kaiurungi.

Ngā Kaihoe made substantial progress from their first official gathering in April 2021 at Te Mānuka Tūtahi marae in Whakatāne. A working group led by Dr James Turner, Simon Stokes, and Richard Te Hurinui Jones (Ngāti Maniapoto, Rangitāne o Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua, Te Arawa) initially developed the ‘Revitalise te Taiao’ place-based research programme. Te taiao underpins kaitiakitanga. Environmental stewardship and documenting a commitment to environmental care differentiates products from Aotearoa-New Zealand in the global markets. This adds value to Aotearoa-New Zealand’s primary products overseas where consumers are increasingly concerned about sustainability issues.

The research programme is led by and centred on mana whenua, communities, and agribusinesses who are working to revitalise te taiao. A key achievement has been engaging in a process of collaboration with a range of people with diverse views to come up with a framework for selecting and facilitating pilot studies. The success of Ngā Kaihoe extends beyond the revitalisation of te taiao in agribusinesses and rural communities. The principles they have collaborated on are based around Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The principles of partnership, participation, and protection between tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti will be valuable for other important dialogues in Aotearoa-New Zealand. Additionally these principles not only apply between people, but also between people and the whenua. If you work in partnership with, and participate and protect the whenua, then the whenua will reciprocate. This is embodied in te ao Māori kōrero "Ko Au te Whenua, Ko te Whenua ko Au" (I am the land and the land is me).

How was Taiao Manawa Ora implemented by Ngā Kaihoe?

The Taiao Manawa Ora model guides this research programme. Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the inter-relationship of values, knowledge, and worldviews of tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti are at the centre. The outer ‘wings’ highlight the differences, and show connection across cultures to gather and share information as we move along our te taiao pathway.

Taiao Manawa Ora guided work to revitalise te taiao

Taiao Manawa Ora and the 11 insights were valued by Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao and Ngā Kaihoe for guiding efforts to revitalise te taiao. The 11 insights were identified in action in each Nga Kaiurungi Taiao to some extent. There was also growth in the extent to which the insights were implemented during the life of the programme. For example, with tangata Tiriti growing their understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Each Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao emphasised different insights and expressed them in different ways. However, Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi is foundational), and insights related to relationships and connections (Respecting all knowledges, People and place, and Collaboration and participation) were frequently highlighted. This emphasised the centrality of people and community to knowledge growth and holistic approaches to revitalise te taiao.

Explore our Kōkiri ki uta, Kōkiri ki tai, and Tauhere mai to see how we implemented Taiao Manawa Ora. 

Murray Hemi (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Aitanga a Kupe), Mātanga Mātauranga Māori Scientist, was one of the 25 people in the working group, and wove the 11 Insights and working group kōrero into Taiao Manawa Ora. Having been instrumental in the mahi to co-develop the insights, Murray provided his reflections about Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao at the half-way point of Revitalise Te Taiao in May 2023.

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Papatohu mahi - Work dashboards

The programme used a dashboard that allowed the project hypotheses, outcomes, outputs and measures to be tracked for progress. 

This enabled the four different research proposals to be assessed as a collective group against the core project scope, which was to see land use and land management change creating opportunities for new value chains and markets whilst revitalising te taiao. 

The progress was also tracked against the key indicators from the working group, outlined in the 11 insights and Taiao Manawa Ora. 

This is an innovative approach to show progress not just in relation to contractual milestones, but against the research programme kaupapa and key areas of emphasis for change. It ensured that we tracked challenging areas like Te Tiriti o Waitangi, people involvement, whairawa (investment), and a land-use focus.

Of the 114 work areas tracked, 89% were complete.

As at 7 October 2022

58%

Focus on te taiao

60%

Focus on mātauranga

55%

Focus on land use and users

43%

Focus on value chain and markets

40%

Focus on people

56%

Sustainable business, leadership, management

43%

Tangata Tiriti, relationships, connections

40%

Mana motuhake and tangata whenua

50%

Whairawa and mana whakahaere rangatiratanga

As at 7 October 2023

75%

Focus on te taiao

80%

Focus on mātauranga

73%

Focus on land use and users

63%

Focus on value chain and markets

70%

Focus on people

67%

Sustainable business, leadership, management

57%

Tangata Tiriti, relationships, connections

70%

Mana motuhake and tangata whenua

80%

Whairawa and mana whakahaere rangatiratanga

As at 30 March 2024

92%

Focus on te taiao

100%

Focus on mātauranga

91%

Focus on land use and users

75%

Focus on value chain and markets

90%

Focus on people

78%

Sustainable business, leadership, management

71%

Tangata Tiriti, relationships, connections

90%

Mana motuhake and tangata whenua

100%

Whairawa and mana whakahaere rangatiratanga

Read more about Revitalise Te Taiao programme outcomes

Transparency Reports & Impact Assessments

Publish annual transparency reports and impact assessments that document the social, environmental, and economic outcomes of value chain activities. This could include metrics on mana & mauri of soil, carbon emissions, water usage, biodiversity conservation, and community development indicators, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the value chain's performance and areas for improvement.

By incorporating these ideas into value chain development efforts, stakeholders can create cultural, transparent, ethical, and sustainable systems that honour the interconnectedness of te Taiao, people, place, and consumers.

Cultural Protocol & Respect

Incorporate cultural protocols and practices into value chain activities, ensuring that all interactions with the land, waterways, and natural resources are conducted with respect and reciprocity. This could involve consultation with mana whenua, knowledge holders, and cultural advisors to ensure that value chain activities align with cultural values and traditions.

Regenerative Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Promote kaitiakitanga and regenerative agriculture practices that prioritise mana whenua and landowner knowledge, soil health, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. This could involve supporting whanau & hapu, and landowners in implementing agroecological techniques, reforestation projects, and habitat restoration efforts that enhance ecosystem resilience and vitality.

Consumer Feedback & Engagement

Engage consumers in dialogue and solicit feedback on their preferences, values, and expectations regarding transparency and sustainability. This could be tested through kanohi-ki-te-kanohi and digital surveys, focus groups, or interactive forums where consumers can voice their opinions and contribute to the development of more transparent

Environmental Monitoring & Reporting

Implement environmental monitoring and reporting systems to track the impact of production activities on local ecosystems and communities. This could include regular audits, data collection initiatives, and community-based research projects that assess the social, environmental, and cultural implications of value chain activities.

Supply Chain Partnerships

Forge partnerships between producers, processors, logistics providers, wholesalers and retailers to create transparent and mutually beneficial supply chains. This could involve direct sourcing agreements, fair pricing mechanisms, and collaborative decision-making processes that prioritise the well-being of producers and the environment.

Cultural Storytelling & Education

Use storytelling and educational initiatives to raise awareness about the cultural significance of products and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and practices. This could involve hosting community events, workshops, or virtual tours that showcase the connection between te Taiao, people, place, and the products consumers purchase.

Maori/Community - Led Certification & Labelling

Establish a certification or labelling system that highlights products sourced from Maori-owned or environmentally sustainable enterprises. This could include labels indicating adherence to traditional land management practices, organic farming methods, or fair trade principles e.g. to take a step further the labels are printed with vegetable ink from a facility powered by renewable energy!!

Incorporating Maori knowledge & Practices

Value chains can integrate Maori knowledge and practices related to environmental stewardship, resource management, and cultural preservation. Local communities can be actively involved in decision-making processes, drawing on their deep understanding of the land, waterways, and ecosystems.

Digital Platforms for Transparency

Develop digital platforms or mobile applications that provide consumers with real-time information about the origin, production methods, and environmental footprint of products. This could include interactive maps showcasing the journey of products from farm to table, stories about local producers, and data on sustainability metrics.

Community-Owned Enterprises

Promote the establishment of community-owned enterprises that prioritise transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of benefits. These enterprises could involve local farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs working collaboratively to produce and market goods while respecting cultural and environmental values.

Developing a Transparent Value Chain

 

Value chains and markets with a te Taiao, people, and place perspective can operate by fostering sustainability, cultural resilience, economic empowerment, and community well-being. They recognise the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and cultural factors and strive to create inclusive and equitable systems that benefit all stakeholders.

Developing a transparent value chain from the perspective of te Taiao, people, place, and consumers can involve integrating Te Ao Maori knowledge and sustainable practices into every stage of the production and distribution process. Examples of this could be as follows: