Apple growers aim to blend Māori knowledge with science
A Wairoa orchard trial will test whether management guided by the Māori lunar calendar can cut chemical use and still thrive as a commercial apple business.
What’s at stake: Whether a Māori-led commercial orchard can show that mātauranga Māori used together with western science can reduce spray use without undermining yield, quality or jobs.
Background: Seven projects have each received $350,000 from the 2026 Rangapū Rangahau round of Mbie’s He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund to build Māori research capability and stronger science partnerships.
Main players: Haumako in Wairoa, Bioeconomy Science Institute science lead Vaughn Bell, Haumako chief executive Robin Kaa, orchard lead Larissa Cooper and Māori relationship manager Jenny Green.
A new apple orchard trial in Wairoa is testing whether maramataka-guided management can reduce chemical sprays in a commercial operation without undermining yield, quality or jobs.
Maramataka is the traditional Māori lunar and stellar calendar. It tracks time through the phases of the moon and
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Key points
What’s at stake: Whether a Māori-led commercial orchard can show that mātauranga Māori used together with western science can reduce spray use without undermining yield, quality or jobs.
Background: Seven projects have each received $350,000 from the 2026 Rangapū Rangahau round of Mbie’s He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund to build Māori research capability and stronger science partnerships.
Main players: Haumako in Wairoa, Bioeconomy Science Institute science lead Vaughn Bell, Haumako chief executive Robin Kaa, orchard lead Larissa Cooper and Māori relationship manager Jenny Green.
