A perspective on Te Ao Māori and regenerative agriculture – Tangata ahu whenua: nurturing our landscapes

This report provides an overview on te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and regenerative agriculture. Although alignment has been suggested by many across all agricultural sectors, much of the work to explore and understand the linkages between tikanga-led food and fibre production and regenerative agriculture principles is still in progress or yet to be done. It is vital that this work is led by Māori experts and farmers.

The diversity of farming practiced by mana whenua and Māori entities across scales is contributing to a rekindling and growing knowledge base about what tikanga-led practice can ‘look like’ in different places, scales, and contexts. The systems and practices that evolve from this process will be unique to Māori entities. To be ready to engage meaningfully with emerging systems such as RA, Māori entities and tangata whenua will require the resources and time to consolidate a diverse and often invisible landscape of activities to establish a collective understanding of tikanga-led practice. As such, te ao Māori enterprises that are led by whakapapa and customary knowledges represent an opportunity to fundamentally rethink existing norms attached to food and fibre systems in Aotearoa New Zealand.