Seeding and supporting innovation in the Māori economy
Māori bioresources and mātauranga Māori represent one of New Zealand’s most distinctive sources of future competitive advantage. By combining indigenous knowledge with science, engineering and commercial expertise, new opportunities are emerging to create premium ingredients, consumer products and advanced biomaterials that can generate greater economic, cultural and environmental value.
The BPA plays a unique role in helping move these opportunities from concept towards commercial reality. Through techno-economic analysis, product development and translational research, we support Māori enterprises to identify viable markets, reduce commercial risk and build businesses grounded in heritage, provenance and innovation.
This year, we supported five Māori-affiliated projects spanning harakeke, mamaku (black tree fern), kūmara vines and forestry residues – demonstrating how underutilised natural resources can become the foundation for new products, stronger regional economies and higher-value export opportunities. Alongside these projects, our long-standing partnerships with innovative Māori businesses such as Mīti and AgriSea continue to show how science and mātauranga Māori can combine to create globally relevant businesses with enduring impact.
Creating value from underutilised bioresources
Harakeke fibre production
We supported a team exploring uses for three by-products from harakeke fibre production; leaf butts and trimmings, green strippings and the waxy para. With quality muka fibre only making up about 7% of the harakeke leaf processed, having a use for the remaining plant material is important. The techno economic analysis generated by this project highlighted labour as the dominant cost and helped the team identify where to focus next.
Another harakeke project which is currently underway builds on these learnings and investigates the potential for a Northland micro enterprise producing a range of harakeke products, including gel, oil and fibre.
Clearfell harvest residue
A study carried out for two large Māori forest trusts sought to address concern over the volume of residues left in the forest after clearfell harvest and the potential unrealised value that these represent. It examined potential economic uses for the low-grade wood – a growing concern with the closure of the pulp mill at Karioi and the paper machine at the Kinleith pulp mill. With over 50,000 hectares of land, the trustees are examining the best land use for the next century or more. This project assessed the techno economics of options identified in a previous project and enabled the trusts to determine which options are worthy of further development.
Building premium Māori products and brands
Mamaku gel by-products
We have also explored the higher-value uses of by-products from the production of a mamaku gel used in skincare. The mamaku gel by-products are currently used as mulch, but there is potential for higher-value uses including an ingredient for cleaning or laundry products for sensitive skin. The techno economic analysis resulting from this project enabled the business to identify a promising market opportunity, which they plan to pursue.
“The BPA-funded techno economic analysis provided the foundation for us to explore the possibilities for waste streams from the Mamaku extract. We can now see the way forward to explore different processing options and to scale for export. We’ve always had an interest in R&D – the BPA allowed us to retain that interest. It’s a great way to outsource R&D when it can’t always be a priority in a small business. We particularly appreciate the relationship with our key contact at the BSI – sensitivity is a key point of difference for us from our business model to our products, and she understands that.” – Tessa Davis – Mamaku Skin
Kūmara vine powder
A BPA-funded research programme with Callaghan Innovation was completed this year, resulting in a proven, scalable route to a stable kūmara vine powder, and a clear picture of where the nutritional and bioactive value sits within the plant. With the research phase complete, focus is now on product development, commercial viability and the regulatory pathway for selling a kūmara vine-based health product.
“I believe there’s a real gap in the New Zealand premium greens powder market for a brand built on heritage and provenance rather than just nutrition, convenience or price. No-one is telling a genuine cultural story. I’m aiming to normalise the use of plant-based health products as a key part of Māori-based healing, or rongoā Māori.” – Darius Martin-Baker – Ngāpuhi (Waimā and Ngāwhā)
Supporting Māori-led commercialisation
Mīti – one year on
We featured North Otago-based Mīti in last year’s Impact Report as an example of an innovative business that had recently wrapped up a BPA-funded project.
The Mīti project has been a breakthrough for Alps2Ocean Foods, the Māori-owned company behind the product, demonstrating that young dairy-derived beef can be transformed into a premium, shelf-stable, nutrient-dense food with a significantly lower on-farm carbon footprint than traditional beef.
We take another look at Mīti 12 months on to see what’s progressed.
During that time, Mīti has been recognised in a range of awards, including:
- Australian Dairy Conference Innovator Award 2026
- Meat & Livestock Australia Innovation Challenge, Gulfood, Dubai 2026
- Finalist in the Māori Company of the Year category at the 2026 New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards
- Finalist in the 2025 New Zealand Food Awards
“Crucially, BPA funding enabled us to bring together a coalition of aligned partners across the red meat, science and sustainability value chains. This collaboration would not have been possible without the project support and has de-risked our next stage of start-up, including manufacturing trials and investor engagement.” – Daniel Carson – Alps2Ocean Foods
Systems for young beef and potential partnerships
Mīti has also completed the product development work for a new high-fibre variant of Mīti and is currently researching manufacturing pathways for commercial production and exploring cost viability.
Work has continued to develop on the young beef side, including the carbon science, traceability and supply-chain system that sits behind the model. They are seeing stronger interest from potential partners in Australia, particularly around applying the system to dairy-origin young beef and connecting verified animals with committed buyers.
Working towards a stronger global position for Māori-led foods
Alps2Ocean Foods was a recipient in the 2026 Ara Whaihua funding round of He Ara Whakahihiko Capability Fund (MBIE); one of 19 work programmes whose primary focus is the pathway to commercialisation and/or economic growth from excellent science.
The aim of its Kaitiakitanga in Action project is to show how New Zealand can meet global demand for sustainable and ethical food by combining cutting-edge research. The outcome will be a set of consumer-facing materials and a process guide that other Māori agribusinesses can adapt to create their own science-based export stories. The expected benefit is a stronger global position for Māori-led foods, starting with Mīti as a demonstration case. Over time, this work will help New Zealand farmers, Māori enterprises, and communities capture greater value by showing the world that our country’s pastoral food systems can deliver nutrition with integrity, innovation, and a lighter footprint.
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