Agriculture Research Group on Sustainability or ARGOS
We are all aware that for a wholesome future for our children, mō tatou, a, mō ka uri a muri ake nei, we need healthy land, which in turn provides healthy waterways, lakes and seas. Healthy land also produces healthy kai - an essential element in ensuring the well-being of Ngāi Tahu whānui.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, through Kaupapa Taiao, has initiated a research partnership with the Agribusiness Group, Otago University and Lincoln University. Together these groups form ARGOS.
ARGOS is a government funded research group whose kaupapa is encouraging the sustainable management of farmland.
In this research, we are looking at getting together Ngāi Tahu landholders, farmers, and other interested people, who wish to explore and share sustainable ways of managing their whenua. In particular managing the whenua in a way that meets financial needs, enhances the health of the natural environment and maintains Ngāi Tahu values.
Ngāi Tahu whānui groups Participants come from
- Ngāi Tahu whānui who have access to Māori freehold land and wish to develop their land resource
- Ngāi Tahu whānui private farmers who wish to either improve their ways of their farming, or offer ideas that will assist in developing the land management of other Ngāi Tahu landholders
- Ngāi Tahu agricultural land managers employed on other farms
- Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation for agricultural land interests managed on behalf of Ngāi Tahu whānui
- Anyone else with an interest in contributing to this project
The emphasis of the project will be manaaki and whakawhanaukataka - getting together a group of Ngāi Tahu whānui whocan share their knowledge, innovative ideas and skills, for improving land management.
For those who would also like technical help that may assist in overcoming any constraints they may face, agricultural specialists from Lincoln University, Otago University and Agribusiness Group Ltd will be available. This may provide support to those wanting to get different agricultural projects off the ground, or to improve their environmental and economic performance.
The final benefit is that you will be assisting in developing a sustainable farming approach for the future.
- Stage 1 - Personal visits will be made to those who have expressed an interest in being involved in this research and development project. (March 2004)
- Stage 2 - Hui will be held in local areas around Te Waipounamu in which three or four cluster groups of participating Ngāi Tahu land holders/managers can be established. (April, May and June 2004)
- Stage 3 - Cluster groups will be guided through a planning process to establish a generic framework for sustainable land management. (April, May and June 2004)
- Stage 4 - A Ngāi Tahu whānui hui will be held in which different cluster groups will meet one another to establish an overall framework. (June or July 2004)
- Stage 5 - Individual landowners and managers that wish to implement the sustainable development framework on their own properties will be provided with technical assistance to do so (if this is desired). (August 2004 onwards)
- Stage 6 - On-going monitoring and assistance will be provided, first to assess whether the sustainability framework is bringing about the desired benefits, and second to assist landholders and managers in achieving their goals. This will take place for a period of five years.
For further information please contact John Reid, Ph 03 371 2644 , email John.reid@ngaitahu.iwi.nz