Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai Aims to Revitalise Te Taiao with a Focus on the Mana and Mauri of Soil

Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai Aims to Revitalise Te Taiao with a Focus on the Mana and Mauri of Soil

Three place-based projects have been awarded funding as part of the Revitalise Te Taiao research programme. Paeroa-based Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai, a project led by AgriSea New Zealand, has been allocated $2.7 million to test farming methods that aim to enhance the mana and mauri of the soil across 10 farms.

Kotahi te koohao o te ngira e kuhuna ai, te miro maa, te miro whero me te miro pango.

There is but one eye of a needle, through which white, black and red cotton is threaded. The multiple threads reflect the weaving together of multiple knowledge, our collaborative approach, and strength when woven together for a shared outcome.

— whakataukii (proverb) by King Potatau Te Wherowhero

The National Science Challenge funding allocated to the Revitalise te Taiao programme has seen three place-based research pilots receive a share of $8 million. The Paeroa-based Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai project has been allocated $2.7 million to fund research that aims to find out whether using farming methods that enhance the mana and mauri of the soil are more resilient, more profitable, more able to withstand environmental, societal and regulatory pressure, and healthier for all.

Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai is bringing together indigenous knowledge and regenerative agriculture principles to create an approach to farming that focuses on oneone (soil) as the centre of an interconnected cycle, unique to Aotearoa New Zealand.

The name Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai represents the connectedness of the journey from the mountains to the sea. The project seeks to build pathways to revitalise te Taiao from sea, to soil, to society. 

By enhancing the mana and mauri of soil, the project aims to protect market access for farmers, and to help food producers earn premiums for green, ethical and transparent production.

Our project is founded on partnership and interconnection. No single person, entity, or culture will have the whole answer, together we can weave each thread into a whole. The multiple threads reflect our collaborative approach and the multiple knowledges, disciplines and methodologies we draw from and seek to share.

Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai is inspired and led by AgriSea, a Māori whānau agribusiness with 26 years’ experience. AgriSea’s co-leaders, Tane Bradley (Ngāti Maniapoto) and Clare Bradley, are riding a wave of success for seaweed scientific innovation and recently won at this year’s 2022 Hi-Tech New Zealand Awards, the Callaghan Innovation Hi-Tech Māori Company award.

“Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai will provide experiences and exchanges of knowledge through mātauranga Māori, science and practitioner experience in order to change the way we view and connect to soil in farming,” says Clare Bradley. 

Members of the Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai project team
Tane and Clare Bradley of AgriSea, which leads the Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai project
AgriSea won the NZ Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year Award for 2022

The Revitalise te Taiao Te Tiriti o Waitangi framework Taiao Manawa Ora – Purpose Led Change will help guide Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai in the voyage ahead. Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai aims to protect and enhance te Taiao through the implementation of the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, meaningful partnerships, and active participation. This includes protection of mātauranga Māori, whenua, livelihoods, the health of soils, waterways, air, and cultural and social wellbeing.

The whānau-based intergenerational model of management that is active across AgriSea is also brought to Rere Ki Uta, Rere Ki Tai. This model includes collaboration with communities, research, land owners, rangatahi (youth), markets, agri sector support, and regulatory systems. These groups are engaged with and invited into the steering and development of the kaupapa (programme). The practice of tikanga (customs) and the use of te reo Māori provide a home for whānau members and participants to contribute and learn together in a safe and respectful manner.

Building farm systems that work with te Taiao

“Weaving together mātauranga, intergenerational knowledge, farming experience, and science, Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai is building farming systems that work with rather than against natural systems, understanding and respecting the cycle of te Taiao and our reciprocal role,” says Tane Bradley.

The project will culminate in a guide that provides a framework supporting farmers to apply evidence-based approaches that respect the mana and mauri of the soil.

The research is working closely alongside 10 farms across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty to develop a pathway for each farm’s approach to honouring the mana and mauri of soil on their whenua.

Tangata whenua and Māori and non-Māori agribusiness are set to benefit directly through the identification of market opportunities that flow from a mana and mauri story, which will intertwine with value-chain and market activities for milk processors Fonterra, Miraka, and Synlait. The dairy sector will benefit from research to inform decision-making for more resilient farms.

The project supports respectful sharing of mātauranga Māori, and highlights the leadership Māori and non-Māori land managers are displaying in innovative and more sustainable farming.

What the research will measure

Researchers from Lincoln University, Manaaki Whenua, AgResearch, specialist social science research consultants Heather Collins Consulting, and farm consultants RECO, are part of on-farm teams who will assess the value of new approaches, in partnership with tangata whenua, farm advisors, and sector representatives.

“On-farm, the research considers whole-of-system wellbeing through metrics across soil health, animal wellbeing, milk and meat quality, and ecological and environmental health, as well as looking at financial measures of farm success,” says Clare Bradley.

“Farming whānau wellbeing and insight is also integrated into the connected research, considering how on-farm changes affect our rural communities and individual farmers. Lastly, off-farm, the research will measure whether the connection to Māori values and tikanga can attract a premium in export markets.”

Aiming to reignite hope, rebuild connections

Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai seeks to reignite hope and pride in farming, by rebuilding connections between the people who eat food and those who grow it, and between farmers and te Taiao, the whenua (soil), wai (water), moana (sea), āhuarangi (climate across time), and koiora (humans, plants, and animals).

Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai leaders Clare and Tane Bradley believe this project will set a leading example of how weaving multiple ways of knowing – mātauranga Māori, science, observation and lived experience – can provide a pathway for meaningful change to revitalise te Taiao.

Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai welcomes you to follow the collective of Māori and non-Māori, traditional and organic farmers, and researchers as they work together at the forefront of future farming, sharing mātauranga Māori, science, and innovation to create tomorrow’s best farms that enhance the mana and mauri of the soil.

Renee Kahukura Iosefa
Renee Kahukura Iosefa

Renee Kahukura Iosefa (Kia Ora Media Marketing & PR) is the communications and engagement lead for the Revitalise Te Taiao research programme

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: