How Māori communities are harnessing their ancient knowledge systems and entrepreneurial spirit to create the next biomedical revolution

Across Aotearoa (New Zealand), an unassuming plant can be found in every corner of the country. A small tree, the kānuka is endemic to the country and has been used for hundreds of years by Māori people for firewood, tools and medicinal purposes.

Only recently has the world started to realise its enormous economic potential.

“Māori people are deeply connected to our land. It’s tied to our identity, our family, our customs and our culture. The idea to build a business out of the kānuka arose from a desire to stay connected to our land in a sustainable way while providing opportunities for the next generation,” explains Dr Kiri Dell.

Since 2021, Dr Dell has worked with her people in the Whareponga Valley to take the knowledge passed down over the generations about this modest tree and bring it to market. From liquid smoke used in cooking to medicinal properties which can treat fungal and bacterial infections, this versatile hardwood has a wide range of uses.

“We’re in the middle of building a plant and are about to scale up,” says Dr Dell. “It’s pretty exciting!”

As an academic in Indigenous innovation and land use, Dr Dell has seen a wide range of projects started by the community showcasing the power of the collective. From ridding waterways of pollution caused by heavy industry and farming to infrastructure repairs and energy independence, Māori-led projects have shown what is possible when Indigenous knowledge is used to solve modern problems.

These projects are the latest in a long history of Māori innovation and resourcefulness.

“Counter to the narrative that it was accidental, the Polynesian arrival was purposeful, well-executed and well-planned,” Dr Dell says

“Descended from the Polynesians, the Māori were an advanced society who lived in abundance in harmony with the land. Our projects tap into this innovative spirit, providing an income source to our communities while at the same time respecting the natural world.”

Connected to the idea of valuing the natural world, Māori entrepreneurship needs to be viewed through the lens of what is important to Māori people.

“Our ways of innovation are distinctive because we value things differently. For example, we find safety and security through our bonded networks. Going beyond the nuclear family, it’s our broader kinship network that gives us our identity and purpose,” explains Dr Dell.

“When you understand this, then you understand that business decisions are made for a social purpose and that our entrepreneurship is driven by our relationship with our land and our kin.”

As an academic, Dr Dell has also facilitated partnerships with the University of Auckland to bring ideas to fruition.

“Universities have an important role to play in supporting Indigenous innovation.  We have a relationship with the Faculty of Engineering to help communities build resilience so that our people can remain on their lands. We’ve worked with chemists from the Faculty of Science to explore the medicinal properties of the kānuka plant which have long been known to our people.”

Dr Dell is visiting Naarm/Melbourne during Indigenous Business Month as the Dilin Duwa 2024 Visiting Scholar. Part of the growing group of Global Members of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership, Dr Dell is in Australia to share her insights with the Dilin Duwa team of researchers and to explore collaborative research partnerships.

“One of the reasons that I chose to join the Dilin Duwa academic network is the work of the Centre. It has the potential for transformative change for the Indigenous business sector, both here and globally.”