Funding a tribute to Māori collaboration focusThursday 2 Apr 2026
Seven of its research programmes – spanning land, plant, food and forestry scientific areas – have each received $350,000 in the latest round of the 2026 Rangapū Rangahau round of the He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund. The Rangapū Rangahau Fund supports collaborative, two-year projects aimed at building Māori research capability and durable partnerships between Māori-facing organisations and the wider science, innovation and technology (SI&T) system – with a focus on economic and environmental outcomes. Projects are expected to align with mātauranga Māori, taiao (environmental guardianship) and indigenous innovation principles. Bioeconomy Science Institute Chief Indigenous Innovation and Partnerships Officer Stacey Whitiora says the funding announcement recognises the organisation’s commitment to strengthening Aotearoa New Zealand’s Māori research capability and building new connections to help advance science that benefits all New Zealanders. “Our Māori name – Maiangi Taiao – reflects our commitment to working alongside Māori, and to science that creates enduring opportunities for future generations. Māori hold a wealth of knowledge about our environment and have a strong connection to the land,” she says. “Their insights are integral to our research, so continuing to develop meaningful partnerships with Māori is a priority for us.” From farming to bioactives: Diversifying Wharekauri land use opportunities Working in partnership with the Maipito Hough Whānau Trust, this project investigates the potential of Tarahina – a native plant abundant in the Chatham Islands (Wharekauri) – for use in natural bioactives such as plant-based antimicrobials and antioxidants. Global interest in natural bioactives is growing but scientific knowledge of Tarahina is limited and the research will explore whether it could support a whānau-led value chain. Tohe te Tohe – using water sensor networks to inform toheroa management practice We are partnering with Te Runanga o Te Rarawa and the hapū and iwi of Te Oneroa a Tōhe | Ninety Mile Beach to help restore Toheroa (a native clam and Ngā Iwi of Te Hiku ō Te Ika kaimoana taonga species) at numbers not seen since the early 1900s. Understanding how freshwater moves through and over the land to reach the ocean will inform wider discussions on water allocation and movement – to improve decisions that affect coastal and groundwater-dependent industries, support sustainable Enhancing the consistency, quality and effectiveness of high-value indigenous bioactive products Global demand for functional ingredients and wellness solutions is rising. This presents a major opportunity for Māori landowners, who can create high-value products by leveraging traditional knowledge and the bioactive properties of indigenous plants. We have partnered with Wakatū Incorporation to develop a reproducible and scalable process that will optimise the potency, safety, and quality of products containing kawakawa and horopito. More >> Source & image credit: Bioeconomy Science Institute | ||
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