Māori farming businesses make a significant contribution to New Zealand's sheep and beef sector, with many operating under unique ownership structures, long-term aspirations and intergenerational decision-making models. Māori make up nearly 40 percent of the meat processing workforce, and more than 15 percent of sheep and beef exports come from Māori farming interests.
Over the past two years, Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has strengthened its support for Māori agribusiness through its Māori Agribusiness team and Kāhui. The team works directly with Māori farming businesses, trusts and incorporations across the country to understand their goals and connect them with the support, expertise and opportunities available through B+LNZ.
Their work includes running wānanga (collaborative knowledge sharing session), hui (meeting) and on-farm events, helping farmers access B+LNZ programmes and services, and ensuring Māori farming perspectives help shape B+LNZ's work.
Charles Taituha, B+LNZ’s GM Māori Agribusiness, says a key part of the team's approach is recognising that every whenua block and farming business is different.
“Success looks different for every farming business. It might be improving farm performance, strengthening governance, building capability, creating opportunities for rangatahi (youth), or ensuring whenua continues to deliver for future generations. Our role is to understand those aspirations and help connect people with the support, expertise and opportunities that can help them achieve them.”
The team works alongside farmers, trustees and governors to support informed decision-making and help unlock opportunities that align with their aspirations. This can range from connecting people with technical expertise and extension programmes through to facilitating conversations that build confidence and capability over time.
Recent Māori Agribusiness initiatives
- Through B+LNZ’s East Coast Recovery initiative, led by the Māori Agribusiness team, more than 30 organisations partnered to support East Coast farmers and whenua Māori landowners affected by January’s severe weather event, securing around $130,000 in funding and in-kind support. The recovery event attracted close to 300 attendees.
- B+LNZ’s Māori agribusiness team is also investing in future farming leaders through initiatives such as Shepherds’ Day workshops. Around 50 young shepherds recently attended a hands-on workshop in Waikato focused on working dogs, nutrition and farm technology. Read more here.
Connecting with whenua Māori
B+LNZ has launched dedicated Māori Agribusiness Facebook and Instagram pages to share information, opportunities and stories relevant to Māori farming businesses and whenua Māori.
The pages provide another channel for Māori levy payers to connect with the Māori Agribusiness team, access support and stay up to date with programmes, events and initiatives designed to help Māori farming businesses thrive.
Celebrating Māori Language Week
B+LNZ recently celebrated Māori Language Week as an opportunity to recognise the significant contribution Māori make to New Zealand's sheep and beef sector, and the important role te ao Māori plays in shaping our farming communities.