Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Our science focus

John Payne and Barry Fahey downloading rainfall data. Image - Andrew Fenemor

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 service

These National Outcomes will be achieved through effective science leadership and strong, strong partnerships with our stakeholders who implement research outputs – the knowledge, tools, technology, systems and frameworks, and policy recommendations supporting economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being.

Our key stakeholders are:

  • The Natural Resources Sector (Department of Conservation (DOC); Department of Internal Affairs (DIA); Land Information New Zealand (LINZ); Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE); Ministry for the Environment (MfE); Ministry for Primary Industries ( MPI); Te Puni Kōkiri ( TPK); and regional councils)
  • TBfree New Zealand
  • Private sector businesses and industry implementing sustainable good practice
  • Māori organisations

Our scope of operation

Landcare Research is recognised as the lead CRI in the following areas:

  • Catchment-level ecosystems (including wetlands) and related ecosystem services
  • Terrestrial vertebrate pest control
  • 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 is expected to work 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

National Science Challenges

Landcare Research is the host agency for New Zealand’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge.