Mātauranga Māori

Te Mātauranga Māori

We embrace mātauranga Māori by building understanding between science and Māori knowledge systems to enrich our science in a uniquely Aotearoa New Zealand way.

Meaningful impact

We aim to create meaningful impact by embracing mātauranga Māori as an equal knowledge system, honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and delivering to Māori agribusiness and communities.

At the heart of our partnerships with Māori organisations, we acknowledge kaitiakitanga and the development of positive impact opportunities within our mātauranga Māori and science areas.

We work with our partners on areas of mutual interest, especially the quality of waterways and tackling environmental challenges whenua and the impact on the communities they support.

Mātauranga Māori can enhance what science already has to offer where it comes to best use of productive land, water quality and reducing the climate change impact.

Ariana Estoras (Ngāti Uekaha, Ngāti Maniapoto) Māori Research and Partnerships Director

Kaupapa Māori-centred research

We recognise and value the knowledge Māori bring to research collaborations and we co-develop solutions with Māori to ensure positive impact and benefit for Māori and all of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our Māori Research and Partnerships Group is central to realising our aim to ensure that mātauranga Māori is on equal footing with science.

This group is led by ao Māori values and tikanga-based principles. This enables more kaupapa Māori-centred research alongside our Māori partners in order to better respond to Māori needs and better deliver to Māori aspirations.

AgResearch scientist Paul Harris (L) is welcomed onto Taupiri Marae by a representative (R)

Additional capabilities
- Acknowledging kaitiaki obligations by placing te taiao first in the development of our research
- Co-developing opportunities with positive benefit, impact, and value for Māori communities
- Empowering and facilitating Māori research and Māori researchers throughout Aotearoa
- Expanding AgResearch’s understanding of the current and future needs of Māori communities to inform AgResearch’s science direction
- Building pipelines of Māori capability and capacity