Unlocking the potential of Māori land
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) commissioned Business and Economic Research (BERL) to examine the growth potential of whenua Māori. Its report was published in March 2026.
Whenua Māori in primary production: Economic contribution and productive potential [PDF, 8.1 MB]
Our agribusiness programmes support growth in the Māori food and fibre sector
We work with Māori landowners and agribusinesses to:
- build skills and knowledge
- highlight opportunities to make whenua more productive
- access funding
- create jobs
- improve and promote sustainable land management practices.
We have regionally based advisers right across the motu.
As part of MPI's integrated support services, the team works closely with:
- the On Farm Support team
- the Forestry Support team
- fisheries officers
- biosecurity officers
- colleagues from organisations such as Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Tumu Paeroa – Office of the Māori Trustee.
Our funding and support programmes
MPI has 5 programmes that provide funding for Māori food and fibre projects.
1.Māori Agribusiness Pathway to Increased Productivity (MAPIP) programme
Lifting the productivity of Māori whenua and food and fibre assets.
2.Māori Agribusiness Extension (MABx) programme
Supporting groups of Māori landowners and food and fibre producers to work together and build capability.
3. Māori Agribusiness Climate programme
Improving environmental performance and reducing agricultural GHG emissions
4. Māori Agribusiness Innovation programme
Exploring innovative products and processes in the Māori food and fibre sector.
Workforce and governance development for Māori agribusinesses.
Six steps to improve your whenua
We have identified 6 steps whānau can take to improve their whenua.
- Establish a project group
- Develop a strategic plan
- Complete a feasibility study
- Get owners on board
- Set up a governance structure
- Decide on an operational set-up
We explain the steps in more detail in our video.
Video: The 6 steps explained – Youtube
Show/hide transcript
[This video is narrated off-screen, while the concepts are illustrated in real-time on a white drawing board.]
Narrator: Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua – As man disappears from sight, the land remains.
It's important for Māori that the land is retained throughout generations – that's whakapapa; that the important relationship Māori have with the land is recognised – that's whanaungatanga; and that Māori can act as guardians of the land's natural and physical resources – that's kaitiakitanga.
Māori will want these values observed when dealing with the estimated ten point 6 billion dollars in primary sector assets that Māori hold.
MPI partners with Māori to grow and protect these assets. This helps to further grow the New Zealand economy.
MPI has worked with a number of Māori land owners to help them achieve their aspirations on their terms, bringing together smaller land blocks to build economic scale for the benefit of their mokopuna.
So how does this happen?
For Whaea Tui, and most Māori for that matter, land or whenua is taonga tuku iho – a treasure that has been passed down through generations.
Whaea Tui remembers stories of a time when her whānau farmed and lived off their land. Over time whānau has ceased to control the use of their land. Now she wonders what could happen if the land in her area came together. Could this build the assets of the whānau, so that they can manage their land themselves, make decisions on its use and provide for the benefit of her mokopuna?
Whaea Tui is determined and driven, which is a great start! But what's got her stumped is figuring out all the different pieces of the puzzle.
This is where MPI can help, with staff on the ground across the country working with Māori who have asked the exact same question as Whaea Tui.
From these interactions MPI has identified six key steps that have resulted in Māori successfully bringing together smaller land blocks, and are on hand to help Whaea Tui explore her options.
[End of Transcript]
Check out our library of resources
Resources for Māori agribusinesses
Kōrero with us
To find out more or have a kōrero with our regional kaimahi, email maoriagribusiness@mpi.govt.nz
