Strengthening our impact through research

Te Hōnonga a Iwi Chair Sheryl Blythen reports back from the March meeting of the Strategy Committee.

While much of our focus remains on delivering on-the-ground environmental outcomes—through planting, pest plant and animal control, and the development of the mara kai—the Strategy Committee is also prioritising how we strengthen our ability to learn and grow through research and academic partnerships.

At our most recent meeting, a small working group was formed to explore existing research on the links between investment in the environment and better health and social equity outcomes and economic resilience. The aim of this project is to develop a potential framework to strengthen our case for funding and grants and to support the work we do to advocate for Te Taiao, the natural world.

Te Hōnonga a Iwi is very fortunate to be involved in or benefiting from a raft of research and academic projects, including:

·       Project Magma, an independent student organisation based at the University of Auckland that connects students with strong interests in data and STEM with real-world semester-long projects that improve the operations and impacts of not-for-profit organisations. These amazing students are helping us design a better system for reporting our value chain.

·       A year-long documentary project on the social value chain the restoration provides, currently underway by Dr Cadey Korson, Senior Lecturer, Geography, Massey University.

·       Collaborations with University of Auckland Faculty of Design students and AUT Environmental Science students working on capstone projects.

·       The development of the Alexander Awa catchment plan by inspirational ecologist Charmaine Bailie (Ngāti Whātua Kaipara) from Uru Whakaaro.

·       Work by Rebecca Rodgers, Lecturer Environmental Science, AUT, to use drones to monitor canopy cover growth in our restoration project and the wider North Harbour Business Development Unit.

·       Te Hōnonga a Iwi treasurer Jody Gilfillan’s work with Massey University accounting students in the first semester of 2026 as they apply their accounting knowledge and support NFPs to report their financial statements.

We are also engaging with AUT’s Regenerative Environments Research Network with the goal of collaborating on a research project that will provide actionable solutions to contemporary socio-ecological challenges and opportunities.

We have applied for funding to undertake a longitudinal survey of the wellbeing of young people volunteering at Te Hōnonga a Iwi.

And we are committed to creating internship opportunities that generate new knowledge across the project, with a focus on sustainability, environmental and human health and wellbeing, and commercial resilience.

Collectively, this work is helping to strengthen our understanding, inform our decisions, and build a more resilient future for Te Hōnonga a Iwi and the communities we serve.