Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

At a glance

Image - John Hunt

Our Core Purpose

Landcare Research’s Core Purpose is to drive innovation in New Zealand’s management of terrestrial biodiversity and land resources in order to both protect and enhance the terrestrial environment and grow New Zealand’s prosperity.

Our National Outcomes

  • Improve the measurement, management and protection of New Zealand’s terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, including those in the conservation estate.
  • Achieve the sustainable use of land resources and their ecosystem services across catchments and sectors.
  • Improve the measurement and mitigation of greenhouse gases from the terrestrial biosphere.
  • Increase the ability of New Zealand industries and organisations to develop within environmental limits and meet market and community requirements.

Our Scope of Operation

Landcare Research is recognised as the lead Crown research institute (CRI) in the following science areas:

  • Terrestrial vertebrate pest control
  • Catchment-level ecosystems (including wetlands) and related ecosystem services
  • Terrestrial carbon processes and inventory, and other greenhouse gases from soil and land
  • Soil characterisation, processes and services
  • Land cover, land use capability and effects, and spatial land information that integrates across sectors and scales
  • Integrated social and biophysical research to support the sustainable management of terrestrial biodiversity and land resources

Landcare Research works with other research providers and end-users to contribute to the following:

  • Biosecurity, land, soil and freshwater management
  • Climate change adaptation and mitigation
  • Indigenous forestry
  • Industry and business environmental performance including verification
  • Urban environments
  • Antarctica

Manaaki whenua – Manaaki tangata
Care for the land – Care for the people

Our Māori name means to care for the land in all senses. Māori are tangata whenua, the indigenous people with whom we consult and collaborate. Our recognition of and respect for Māori as tangata whenua is reflected in our Guiding Philosophy and the Voices for Sustainability pages of our public website.