Three Communities to Share $8M Research Fund to Revitalise te Taiao

Three Communities to Share $8M Research Fund to Revitalise te Taiao
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Renee Kahukura Iosefa Renee Kahukura Iosefa
Knowledge into ActionKokiri ki UtaTe Kāhui RauUpdates
August 17, 2022

Paeroa, Taranaki and Wānaka have been named as the locations for pilot projects to show how agribusinesses and communities can make enduring changes in land use, management, value chains, and market focus to revitalise te Taiao

Three pilot projects in Paeroa, Taranaki and Wānaka have each received a share of $8 million to revitalise te Taiao and share their pathway with others seeking to revitalise te Taiao in their places.

The funding recipients, announced today by the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge (Toitū te Whenua, Toiora te Wai), collectively carry the name Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao. The name refers to leaders for te Taiao steering a navigational pathway forward. The principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – partnership, participation and protection – will guide and direct the journey between tangata whenua and tangata tiriti to revitalise Te Taiao.

In Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island), the Paeroa-based project Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai will be led by AgriSea’s Tane Bradley (Ngāti Maniapoto) and Clare Bradley. AgriSea’s seaweed innovation won the Callaghan Innovation Hi-Tech Māori Company award at the 2022 Hi-Tech New Zealand Awards.

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.

In Taranaki, Te Kāhui Rau is a hapū-based research and regeneration kaupapa that aims to reignite whānau connection to their whenua and Taiao within Ngāti Tawhirikura, Te Ātiawa Nui Tonu and beyond.

The insights from this research will enable Te Kāhui Rau to fully implement their Indigenous Regenerative Systems Framework to heal and restore the mana and mauri of te Taiao, to revitalise the health and vitality of hapū whenua and whānau.

Te Kāhui Rau will utilise mātauranga Māori and biophysical science to plant seeds and nurture growth that will benefit generations to come. At the helm of this kaupapa are Glen Skipper (Te Ātiawa Nui Tonu, Taranaki Tūturu Iwi, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rāru) and Bry Kopu (Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa Nui Tonu).

Overlooking Te Rewarewa, the primary side for Te Kahui Rau, located by the Coastal Walkway in Ngamotu (New Plymouth)
Prof Rich McDowell with the Revitalise Te Taiao team at Criffel Station, Wanaka
Tane and Clare Bradley of AgriSea, which leads the Rere ki Uta, Rere ki Tai project in Paeroa

In Te Waka-a-Māui Te Waipounamu (the South Island), WAI Wānaka is leading the project Knowledge into Action for Te Taiao. This project is guided by a vision of healthy ecosystems and community wellbeing for future generations.

WAI Wānaka aims to take a whole-of-community and whole-of-basin approach across rural, urban and tourism sectors to increase knowledge and accelerate action that revitalises te Taiao.

WAI Wānaka is committed to accelerating local action for freshwater and te Taiao. The mighty Te Mata-Au/Clutha river flows out of the upper Clutha catchment covering a total area of 4600km2.

WAI Wānaka chair Mandy Bell and project leader Prue Kane are committed to partner with tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti, the local landowners and kaitiaki mana whenua of this region to revitalise te Taiao.

Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao invite you to follow their journey:

Ngā Kaiurungi Taiao Revitalise Te Taiao
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:
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