As Rere ki uta rere ki tai continues to grow, so too has the need for a structure that clearly reflects who we are, how we work, and where we are heading. We have recently formalised a new structure that supports our kaupapa, strengthens governance, and creates space for future initiatives to grow alongside our flagship work.
The diagram above shows how this structure now fits together.
Rere ki uta rere ki tai | Sea, Soil, SocietyAn Incorporated Society
At the centre of our work is Rere ki uta rere ki tai | Sea, Soil, Society, now formally established as an incorporated society.
This Society provides the governance, accountability, and long-term foundation for our kaupapa. It holds the vision and values of Rere ki uta rere ki tai, ensuring that our work remains grounded in:
Mātauranga Māori
Farmer experience and leadership
Robust science and research
Community connection and collaboration
The Society exists to support meaningful, long-term change across land, water, and people, from the mountains to the sea.
Our Flagship Project
At the heart of our work sits the Rere ki uta rere ki tai – Living Soil Project, the flagship initiative of the Rere ki uta rere ki tai Society.
The Living Soil Project is a collaborative research and on-farm support project that reconnects the threads between science, Mātauranga Māori, and farmer experience. By placing soil first, the project recognises soil as the foundation for everything that depends on it, from pasture and animals to waterways, communities, and long-term farm viability.
Through this kaupapa, we are creating a compounding uplift in ecological balance, animal health, greenhouse gas reduction, and farm productivity. The focus is not on quick fixes, but on understanding and strengthening the life within the soil to support resilient, future-fit farming systems across Aotearoa.
A Project Built With Farmers
The Living Soil Project is grounded in partnership. Farmers are not just participants, they are leaders and knowledge holders within the kaupapa. Alongside tangata whenua, scientists, rural advisors, and researchers, they are testing, learning, and sharing practical approaches that work on real farms.
These stories, insights, and learnings are captured through farmer voices, research outcomes, and visual storytelling that shows the journey of the kaupapa from the mountains to the sea.
The Living Soil Project Toolkit
A key part of the flagship project is the Living Soil Project Toolkit, a practical resource designed to support land managers and farmers to make informed, on-farm decisions.
Drawing on insights from pilot farms, research findings, and Mātauranga Māori, the Toolkit helps farmers:
Improve soil health and function
Strengthen pasture growth
Lift animal performance
Reduce reliance on synthetic and external inputs
By working with the land rather than against it, farmers are building systems that are more resilient, financially viable, and better equipped to adapt to future challenges.
Our Approach
The Living Soil Project brings together Mātauranga Māori and western science in a way that respects both knowledge systems. This partnership approach supports farming systems that restore the mana and mauri of the soil while delivering practical outcomes for farms and communities.
Research sits at the core of the project, with rangahau focused on understanding soil biology, farm system performance, and the social and economic dimensions of change. This work ensures the project remains evidence-based, farmer-led, and grounded in real-world application.
People at the Centre
The project is guided by a dedicated team of farmers, tangata whenua, researchers, and advisors who bring a wide range of experience and expertise. Together, they ensure the Living Soil Project remains collaborative, values-driven, and connected to the realities of life on farm.
Farmer stories sit at the centre of the kaupapa, sharing honest reflections on change, challenge, and progress. These voices highlight what is possible when soil health becomes the starting point.
Looking Ahead
As the flagship project of the Rere ki uta rere ki tai Society, the Living Soil Project continues to grow, evolve, and inform future initiatives. It provides a strong foundation for learning, collaboration, and action, supporting farmers and communities to restore the health of their whenua for generations to come.
Creating Space for Future Projects
The new structure also intentionally makes room for future projects.
By establishing Rere ki uta rere ki tai as an incorporated society, we can support additional initiatives that align with our kaupapa as opportunities arise. These future projects may focus on different aspects of land, water, education, or community wellbeing, while remaining connected to the same core values and governance framework.
This approach allows us to grow without losing clarity, purpose, or connection to our origins.
Why This Structure Matters
This structure helps clarify:
Who we are as an organisation
How our work is governed
Where the Living Soil Project sits within the wider kaupapa
How future initiatives can grow alongside existing work
Most importantly, it ensures that Rere ki uta rere ki tai remains a strong, values-led movement that can support farmers, communities, and ecosystems for generations to come.
