The development of an indicator framework to measure enablers and constraints on Māori agribusiness

This report outlines the process taken to map the specific constraints and enablers Māori agribusinesses face, and produce a set of indicators to measure these restraints and opportunities (to be used to develop the online tool for Māori agribusiness). The report is based on a literature review, interviews with Māori agribusiness leaders, and thematic analysis of the interviews.

As part of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge Programme, the project Toitu te Whenua, Toitu te Koira, Toitu te Tikanga – Whenua, Life, Values (from here on WLV) – is focused on creating a decision-making tool for Māori trust and incorporation farms that will allow them to overcome, avoid, mitigate or ameliorate the constraints and take advantage, amplify or target the opportunities in their sector and their situation. WLV has mapped the specific constraints and enablers Māori agribusinesses face, producing a set of indicators to measure these restraints and opportunities which will then be used to develop the tool for Māori agribusiness.

To produce the indicators and develop the tool the project first conducted a literature review. This delivered an overarching outline of the Māori agribusiness sector from which four pillars and five domains were determined. These pillars – the dominant Māori values that shape and constrain Māori farming – and domains – the most important yet conflicted areas that determine the success or failure of an operation – were then used to develop a set of interview questions. A Māori agribusiness expert then conducted 15 key informant interviews with a representative range of Māori agribusiness leaders. Following the key-informant interviews the central pillars and domains were further refined to accurately reflect the current state and operations of Māori agribusiness, and how the businesses relate to one another.