WAI 262 Commentary

Abstract

Aotearoa New Zealand’s modern economy, much like the traditional economy of both Māori and Pakeha, remains heavily reliant on biological resources framing what has been called a bio-economy. While current research in Aotearoa New Zealand focuses on the agri-food assemblages of this bio-economy (Lewis et al., 2013), Māori have a fundamental role as custodians of important biological heritage and as actual and potential producers of future added value products. Essentially we supply valuable ‘weightless’ exports of cultural expressions and practices that form the unique cultural ‘backdrop’ by which Aotearoa New Zealand is recognised in a crowded global economy. We demand the right to participate as equals in administering our natural world which is the source of our spiritual, cultural and economic wealth.