Who are we?
A project of the Rere ki Uta Rere ki Tai Society
The Rere ki uta rere ki tai – Living Soil Project (also known as the Living Soil Project) is a key initiative of the Rere ki uta rere ki tai Society. It is a collaborative research project reconnecting the threads between science, Mātauranga Māori, and farmer experience to improve the health of our soils—and everything that depends on it. By focusing on soil first, we’re creating a compounding uplift in ecological balance, animal health, greenhouse gas reduction, and farm productivity.
Watch Our Journey
A visual story of our kaupapa in action—from the mountains to the sea.
Our Rere ki uta Rere ki tai – Living Soil Project Toolkit
The Rere ToolKit supports land managers and farmers to make real, practical changes on the ground. Drawing on insights from pilot farms, researchers, and mātauranga Māori, it guides decisions that improve outcomes now and over the long term.
By using the ToolKit, farmers are improving soil health, strengthening pasture growth, and lifting animal performance while reducing reliance on synthetic and external inputs. These shifts are creating farm systems that are more resilient, financially viable, and future-fit.
The ToolKit helps farmers work with the land, not against it, building a future that benefits the farm, the environment, and the wider community.
Our Farmers
Meet the heart of The Living Soil Project. These farmers are weaving together traditional knowledge and innovative practices to regenerate their whenua and communities.
Our Approach
Explore how we work in partnership with land stewards, combining Mātauranga Māori and science to create farming systems that restore the mana and mauri of the soil.
Get involved
Find out how you can support, collaborate, or bring your farm on the journey with us, and help create a more resilient, connected, and thriving future for our whenua and communities.
Our Tāhuhu |
Our Mission
Our mission is to identify farming systems that enhance the mana and mauri of the soil. Our tāhuhu (mission) is to empower land managers, kaitiaki, and kaimahi pāmu (farmers) to support and implement farming systems that continue to grow the mana and mauri of soil.
Rangahau | Research
The Living Soil Project is the Society’s core research focus, bringing together Mātauranga Māori, science, and farmer knowledge to understand and strengthen the life within our soils. This work explores practical ways to restore soil health, enhance farm profitability, and support resilient communities across Aotearoa.
Kōrero | News
Stay up to date with the latest stories, updates, and insights from our project. Our news section shares project milestones, farmer perspectives, and community events as we work together to restore the health of our soils and landscapes. These updates not only highlight the progress of our work, but also celebrate the people and partnerships driving change.
Our Team
The Living Soil Project is guided by a dedicated team of farmers, tangata whenua, researchers, and advisors who bring a wide range of skills and experience to the kaupapa. Together, we weave Mātauranga Māori, science, and practical on-farm knowledge to support healthier soils and more resilient farm systems.
Our team works alongside land managers, communities, and partner organisations to ensure the project remains grounded, collaborative, and farmer led.
Farmers Leading the Way
“We thought using nitrogen and phosphates would fix the farm, but we had no idea what was happening in the soil.” – Miah and Jenny
Before, we were just going in circles, doing what everyone else was doing. Now, we’re actually seeing change.
– Miru
"Before the project, I wasn’t sure we’d even be dairying in 10 years. Now I can see we’ll be in dairy for a long time."
– Matt
Stay Connected
Join our kaupapa and be part of the journey from the mountains to the sea.
Be the first to hear inspiring farm stories, research updates, and upcoming events. Sign up for our newsletter and stay connected with Rere ki uta, rere ki tai as we work together to restore the mana and mauri of our whenua.
Our Partners
Thank you to our funders:
