Iwi/Māori research programme

A dedicated NZAGRC research programme is helping Māori farming increase its resource efficiency and productivity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Leading the transition to a low carbon economy

Māori aspire to be leaders in the transition towards a high value, low emission, circular bioeconomy.

The NZAGRC has targeted funding towards Māori-led research into agricultural greenhouse gas emissions since its inception in 2009. This has involved developing a set of Māori farm typologies; identifying the key factors underpinning Maori farm productivity, resource and emission efficiency and sustainable profitability; and then identifying and testing a range of on-farm greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.

Farmer drenching lambs

Drenching lambs

Strong relationships have been built along the way and the outcomes are recognised as being of high interest to non-Māori farmers as well.

Most recently, mitigation strategies were modelled for several Māori dairy and sheep and beef case study farms to show how those farms could contribute to the Government’s 2050 targets for reducing methane and nitrous oxide. An extension framework has been developed as a result, which has significantly improved farmer understanding of the impact of their farm systems and land use changes on greenhouse gas emissions and given them options to consider for future emissions reductions and the implications of that on their business profitability.

Work is now underway, led by the NZAGRC’s Toihau, to shape new research led by Māori landowners and agribusinesses that will support them to develop integrated farm systems solutions addressing multiple economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes.

Incorporating Māori knowledge, systems and cultural values (tikanga, mātauranga, ngā āhuatanga Māori) into the programme will continue to be key to encouraging early adoption of sustainable climate-friendly practices by Māori landowners and agribusinesses.

More information will be added to this page once the new programme has been established.