Aim
To establish a strong kaupapa Māori and transdisciplinary research foundation that supports the development of resilient, flourishing, healthy landscapes for Māori and all New Zealanders.
We are co-designing and co-developing research that includes Māori (hapū, businesses, Māori agribusiness, iwi, hāpori), resources (whenua Māori and kai grown, jobs created), and knowledge (kaupapa Māori approaches, mātauranga Māori, farmer knowledge) to ensure the research equally benefits Māori as well as all New Zealanders.
This leadership approach ensures that the research is grounded in Māori perspectives and methodologies, paving the way for innovative and culturally resonant approaches in agriculture leading to resilient, flourishing landscapes including farms, forests, waterways, marae, and rural communities.
We are focused on emphasising the health of the whenua to achieve food security, sustainable land stewardship to maintain productivity for future generations, developing value chains that prioritise the needs of the whenua and community, balancing economic, environmental, and social aspects of sustainability, and promoting and integrating Māori knowledge, people, and resources, ensuring that Māori perspectives are at the forefront of shaping the future of farming landscapes.