A research partnership shines a light on deep-rooted practices that inform the way Māori farmers nurture the land and the relationships linked to it.
Inside Dairy
3 min read
Research found Māori-owned farms had three themes in common: the importance placed on whenua (land), whakapapa (kinship), and whanaungatanga (relationships)
Māori dairy farms produce the same high-quality milk as any other farm, but the way the farmers own and manage their land can look quite different. These differences are rooted in Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview) and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems), which guide decision-making, governance and environmental management on Māori farms.
A recent research partnership between DairyNZ and the Bioeconomy Science Institute Maiangi Taiao (formerly AgResearch) has helped shed light on these approaches. The work provides insight into Māori farming practices and supports stronger, more effective engagement with Māori dairy operators across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Māori-owned dairy enterprises make up an increasingly significant part of the sector, comprising over 10% of all dairying land, with over 15% of the on-farm workforce identifying as Māori.
As part of the DairyNZ-led Low N Systems programme, six farms in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions were selected to provide deeper insights into how Māori values and knowledge shape farming practices, particularly in environmental management.
DairyNZ lead researcher Dr Claire Phyn notes that while these farms are case studies and not intended to represent all Māori dairy operations, “Each has provided valuable insights, across a range of different ownership and operational structures.”
For Māori, it’s as much about what happened on the land in the past as it is about what will happen in the future.
Raina Meha, senior Kaupapa Māori researcher at the Bioeconomy Science Institute, says ownership on Māori farms often extends well beyond those living and working on the land.
“They can represent many shareholders in Māori land trusts and incorporations, with expectations around due diligence and farm operations,” she says.
The six Māori farming entities were keen to participate, seeing the project as an opportunity to share their stories directly with the researchers.
Raina says a common theme across all farms was the importance placed on whenua (land), whakapapa (kinship), and whanaungatanga (relationships).
“It wasn’t a surprise these stood out, given their history, legacy and view of the future. Each farm was different, but they shared these values in common.”
The research report includes several key recommendations to help build stronger relationships and engagement across the sector, enabling DairyNZ and others to better support Māori farming operations to lift productivity, profitability and sustainability while meeting their owner aspirations.
The first is to start by understanding how whenua and people are connected through whānau, hapū and iwi, and how the farming operation supports those connections.
Knowledge of whakapapa connections is also important, as these tribal relationships often go back centuries and influence economic, social and cultural priorities. Seeking advice from experienced colleagues or advisors can support effective, genuine engagement.
“Often the temptation is to get straight into farm system, or production and profitability metrics,” Claire says.
“But building the relationship first, understanding the history of the whenua and people, and referencing that at the start is important for meaningful discussions and long-term connections.”
An understanding of the complexities of Māori land ownership is also essential.
“For Māori, it’s as much about what happened on the land in the past as it is about what will happen in the future,” Raina says.
She points out that several Māori dairy farms had debt, and pushing debt down could influence decisions around management practices and expansion in the future.
“And there is a need to consider the complex legal frameworks and unique ownership structures that can exist around Māori land, and how these can shape land management,” says Claire.
It’s important to recognise that Māori farms often balance multiple priorities and perspectives: running a profitable business, caring for the whenua as kaitiaki (guardians) for future generations, reducing debt and protecting ownership, and meeting wider environmental, social, and cultural responsibilities.
“It could involve not using some land due to its cultural significance. But there are also social and cultural obligations, like giving back to your people beyond the farm itself,” says Raina.
Some of the farms highlighted how they are incorporating mātauranga Māori knowledge systems alongside western science and conventional practices to enrich farm management and environmental outcomes. Examples included restoring natural waterway ecosystems using cultural frameworks and monitoring approaches, as well as reducing nitrogen leaching through improved farm systems.
The insights from these case studies will inform ongoing engagement with Māori farms across a range of DairyNZ-led research projects and activities nationwide. These include the Resilient Pastures programme in Te Tai Tokerau (Northland), Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, along with catchment action to improve water quality and ecosystem health.
Find out more about the Resilient Pastures programme at dairynz.co.nz/resilientpastures and practical solutions for catchments at dairynz.co.nz/catchment-solutions
Sara Tairi, Ngati Koroki Kahukura; DairyNZ Kaiakiaki - Māori development advisor
Raina Meha Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Makino, Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Aitanga a Māhaki; Bioeconomy Science Institute (formerly AgResearch) senior Kaupapa Māori researcher
This article was originally published in Inside Dairy May-July 2026.
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