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Weaving Soil Science Across Cultures & Environments

A Joint NZSSS and SSA Conference

2nd to 5th December 2024,
Rotorua Energy Events Centre, NZ

Plenary Speakers

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Dr. Tanira Kingi

Scion Research Ltd

Biography

Tanira is an agricultural economist with over 30yrs experience across New Zealand’s primary industry sectors. He’s held positions as a senior scientist and science strategist with AgResearch and Scion and as an academic with Massey University in agricultural systems and management. Tanira is currently a research consultant and science advisor developing integrated multi-model frameworks to model mitigation and land use change scenarios, predominantly for Māori authorities. Tanira is an Emeritus Scientist (Scion), a Climate Change Commissioner, an advisor to MPI and MfE and holds a number of directorships in the agricultural sector including Landcorp Farming (Pamu). He also sits on several Māori land authorities and is the chair of Te Arawa Arataua (Primary Sector Group). Tanira has a PhD in agricultural economics and development (Australian National University), and an MAppSc (Hons) in agricultural systems management (Massey University). He is affiliated to Ngati Whakaue, Ngati Rangitihi, Te Arawa, Ngati Awa.

Climate change mitigation, land use diversification and tikanga Māori: The transitioning of Aotearoa New Zealand’s agricultural landscape

Māori farms make up about 5.3% of Aotearoa New Zealand’s total farmland area . However, at an average size of 560 hectares, they are nearly four times larger than the industry average of 148 hectares , according to StatsNZ and carry over twice the livestock . The other major difference is that Māori farmers are not owner-operators but primarily corporate entities or Māori Authorities, with land held under multiple ownership structures under the Māori Land Act (Te Ture Whenua Māori) 1993, or through structures established to administer land and assets returned under Treaty of Waitangi settlements. This paper examines three key topics: (i) New Zealand's role as a major producer of grass-fed protein, primarily to our buyer: China. (ii) How Māori farmers are responding to domestic climate regulations and international market requirements, such as Scope 3 commitments tied to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the buyers of our products; and (iii) The demands on these governors to manage the socio-cultural and economic expectations of their shareholders and tribal owners. A central question is what drives Māori farmers to navigate climate regulations and market demands while upholding their tribal responsibilities? Key sections include an analysis of New Zealand's NDC target, aiming for a 50% reduction in net emissions by 2030, and its impact on Māori agricultural producers. The paper also explores the cultural connections Māori have to their land, and the integration of historical knowledge and rituals into governance priorities. An outline of the Takahuri Whenua programme: a multi-model framework for mitigation and land-use change is given and the paper concludes with observations on interventions needed to implement change.

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