Image
Credit: Ngāti Kahungunu Inc on Te Matau-a-Maui, Waka Hourua © Desna Whaanga-Schollum, 2013

Indigenising the blue economy

Addressing key barriers that currently prevent Māori from using their marine resources in a more culturally relevant, economically impactful, and environmentally sustainable manner

Project LeaderDurationBudget
Jason Mika (Massey University) & John Reid (J D Reid Ltd)September 2021 – August 2023$800,000

Overview

This project is exploring three themes identified by Māori as constraints in achieving restorative Indigenous blue economies. 

These themes are: 

  1. Pāhekoheko (integration) – supporting Māori-led integrated planning 
  2. Auahatanga (differentiation) – kaitiaki centred products and business models 
  3. Whakatautika (balance) – creating opportunities for Māori in coastal communities 

We are partnering five iwi and pan-iwi entities and Māori enterprises to explore and support Māori who aspire to a blue economy imbued with mātauranga Māori, treaty principles, and a focus on Māori wellbeing, human potential and relational balance with Tangaroa as our tīpuna (ancestors). 

These are: 

This mahi is extending earlier research by the Whai Rawa, Whai Mana, Whai Oranga project, which mapped the Māori marine economy, its institutions and enterprises, and the business models they employ.

Image: Ngāti Kahungunu Inc on Te Matau a Maui, Waka Hourua © Desna Whaanga-Schollum, 2013

Research Team

Jason Mika (Massey University)
John Reid (J D Reid Ltd)
Matthew Rout (Applied Research Collective)
Jay Whitehead (Matatihi Ltd)
Annemarie Gillies (Whitimaia Ltd)
Fiona Wiremu (Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi)
Georgia McLellan (Te Au Rangahau)

Co-Development Partners

Cerasela Stancu (EnviroStrat) Chris Rosin (Lincoln University) Dan Hikuroa (Auckland University) Deena Whaitiri (Ngati Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust) Elizabeth MacPherson (University of Canterbury) Jymal Morgan (Te Rūnanga o Ōnuku) Kim Drummond (Te Ohu Kaimoana) Rawinia Lewis (Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Asset Holding Company Limited) Rik Tainui (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu) Steve Urlich (Lincoln University) Te Taiawatea Moko-Mead (Te Ohu Kaimoana) Tony Blackett (Hokotehi Moriori Trust) Trevor Moeke (Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Asset Holding Company Limited)

Related News

Media coverage Nov 2023 – Jan 20241 Feb 2024Seafood Magazine: Mana, mauri, and prosperity for salmon products from Ōnuku 8 Dec 2023Te Au o Te Moana - Voice of the Ocean: Dan Hikuroa13 Sep 2023Te Au o Te Moana – Voice of the Ocean: Matt Rout29 Jun 2023Te Au o Te Moana - Voice of the Ocean: John Reid2 Dec 2022Media Coverage in August 202223 Aug 2022Media coverage in June 20227 Jun 2022Updated map shows research near you11 Nov 2021Project leader Jason Mika wins Massey teaching award10 Nov 2020Blue economy: core research topics13 May 2020

Related Events

Financing restorative marine economies: Insights from NZ finance and investment experts

Project Proposal

881 KB | pdf

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Location

This is a national project.

Tools & Resources

This project has produced or contributed to:

Aquaculture: Tools, resources and research
Summary
This is a research round-up of our tools, resources and research that are relevant to aquaculture. It is a living document, and more tools, resources and research projects will be added as they are developed. Date: 22 July 2021
View
Māori marine economy: Its definition, principles, and structure
Summary
This paper defines the Māori marine economy, outlines its structure, and highlights challenges for Māori marine-based enterprises engaged in the business of fishing. It draws together findings from a literature review of traditional and contemporary knowledge, values, principles and practices; case studies of Māori marine-based enterprises; and an institutional analysis of the Māori marine economy.
View
Literature review: Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand
Report
This literature review explores three themes on both constraints and potential solutions for Māori transitioning to a blue economy. Rout M, Mika J, Reid J, Whitehead J, Wiremu F, Gillies A, McLellan G & Ruha C (August 2023)
View
Fisheries: Tools, resources and research
Summary
This is a research round-up of our tools, resources and research that support an EBM approach to fisheries management. It is a living document, and more will be added as they develop. Latest update: 2 August 2021
View
Māori marine economy: a literature review
Report
The research team examined more than 150 articles and reports to investigate the historical and contemporary structure of the Māori marine economy.
View
Kaitiaki-centred business models: 3 pou
GraphicSummary
This poster summarises an analytical framework for examining kaitiaki-centred business models. A kaitiaki-centred business model is one that focuses on the environmental, economic and social not as individual, competing components but rather as three interconnected pou (pillars) of mauri sustainment, or well-being.
View
Te Au o Te Moana | Special webinar series: Blue Economy
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Nick Lewis, Nigel Bradly, Julie Hall, Matt Miller, Simon Milne, John Reid & Oliver Wilson, April 2022 (60 mins + 27 mins Q&A)
View
Seafood: Tools, resources and research
Summary
This is a research round-up of our tools, resources and research that support an ecosystem-based management (EBM) approach to the seafood industry (July 2022)
View
Financing restorative marine economies: Insights from NZ finance and investment experts
Presentation
Webinar presentation by Cerasela Stancu (EnviroStrat) and Jason Mika (The University of Waikato) December 2022
View
Auahatanga from Authenticity: Maximising opportunities for Akaroa Salmon and Ōnuku Rūnanga
Report
This report is focused primarily on auahatanga (differentiation) – differentiating kaitiaki-generated products from commodities and diversifying Māori activity in the marine economy. Whitehead J, Rout M, Mika J, Reid J, Wiremu F, Gillies A, McLellan G, Ruha C & Tainui R (August 2023)
View
Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand
Summary
Rout M, Reid J, Mika J, Whitehead J, Gillies A, Wiremu F, McLellan G & Ruha C (2024)
View
How to Indigenise the blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand
Summary
Rout M, Mika J, Reid J, Whitehead J, Gillies A, Wiremu, F, McLellan G, MacDonald T, & Ruha C (2024)
View
Indigenising the blue economy: A case study of the Moriori of Rēkohu
Report
Needs and aspirations for indigenising the blue economy (November 2023)
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Indigenising the blue economy: A case study of Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri
Report
Needs and aspirations for indigenising the blue economy (June 2024)
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Implementing tikanga Māori in the business and activity of fishing
Report
Prepared for Iwi Collective Partnership (June 2024)
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Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa: A synthesis
Report
Rout M, Mika J P, Reid J, Whitehead J, Gillies A, Wiremu F, McLellan G & Ruha C (June 2024)
View
How to indigenise the blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand
Academic publication
Rout M, Mika J, Reid J, Whitehead J, Gillies A, Wiremu, F, McLellan G, MacDonald T, & Ruha C (2024)
View
Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand
Academic publication
Rout M, Reid J, Mika J, Whitehead J, Gillies A, Wiremu F, McLellan G & Ruha C (2024)
View
Whakatautika: Generating balance in the business and activity of fishing at Moana New Zealand
Report
A case study on Indigenising the blue economy in Aotearoa (June 2024)
View

Related projects & activities

Image
Credit: Sara Orme
Whai Rawa, Whai Mana, Whai Oranga: Creating a world-leading indigenous blue economy
This research built a foundation for a world-leading indigenous blue economy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
More
This project has produced or contributed to