Āmiomio Aotearoa

Āmiomio Aotearoa is a transdisciplinary, multi-partner research project funded by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and hosted by the University of Waikato.

Āmiomio Aotearoa is a novel socio-economic concept that is cyclical in nature and regenerative by design. Bringing together Mātauranga Māori and western science,   the concept aims to move beyond linear extract-produce-use-dispose material and energy flow models in order to optimise the value and use of products, components and materials over time.

How will we achieve this?

Our research will address fundamental knowledge gaps through a multidisciplinary and collaborative research programme that builds on existing, and creates new, areas of research excellence in materials science, economics, kaupapa Māori, business, law and regulation, and public policy. The research platform will play a critical role by connecting and integrating these research communities to develop transformative new knowledge and innovative solutions tailored to Aotearoa New Zealand’s specific geographic, economic, political and societal context.

Our Mission

To create world-leading research to facilitate Aotearoa New Zealand's transition towards the development and adoption of production-consumption systems that optimise circular material flows that reduce resource consumption and environmental impacts, thereby supporting sustainable development for the benefit of current and future generations.

New Zealand faces particular opportunities and challenges in moving towards a circular economy.

Opportunity spaces include consideration of the potential gains to be derived from, for example, the incorporation of Māori concepts such as para kore (zero waste) into the development of new sustainable business models. Challenge spaces often relate to difficulties associated with achieving fundamental and widescale behaviour change, for example, how can NZ’s large SME sector be encouraged (and supported) to achieve significant improvements in their rates of low-grade recycling and more general waste minimisation?

To achieve a circular economy, innovation is required across business practice, economic theory, regulatory frameworks, and consumer behaviours, supported by in-depth knowledge of existing assets, materials, energy, and utility requirements, and policy development. We will explore which intrinsic (pro-environmental/social) and extrinsic (financial, regulatory, reputational) motivational factors can be supported by policy to influence sustainable production and consumption, taking account of the numerous challenges created by multiple path dependencies (e.g. long-standing norms, mental models, operating procedures, and cognitive biases).

Ᾱmiomio Aotearoa has an MOU with Reuse Aotearoa for a research project aimed to develop a framework for measuring the impacts and outcomes of reusable packaging in the grocery sector.

The research will develop case studies with grocery retailers and producers in Wellington and the Waikato. The findings will help inform policy changes to support and grow practices at the top of the waste hierarchy, addressing a significant knowledge gap.

The project includes researchers with expertise in applying a mātauranga Māori lens to understand the impact of reusable packaging systems in the groceries sector, and explore whether increasing the diversity of retailers could help shift sustainability/circular practices more widely.

The name ‘Āmiomio Aotearoa’ was gifted to us by Associate Professor/Manukura Tom Roa (Ngāti Maniapoto, Waikato).

Key elements incorporated into the tohu include reference to a takarangi (spiral), which promotes shifting states of energy, spiralling inwards and outwards. The koru represents growth and multiple koru are inclusive of Māori, NZ Europeans and other peoples. The swirling patterns between the koru represent the flowing waters, currents and swirls within the awa o Waikato (Waikato River), locating this collaboration within the University of Waikato and on the tribal lands of the Waikato people.

Āmiomio Aotearoa promotes the weaving of two knowledge systems: mātauranga Māori and western science.

Āmiomio Aotearoa Research Project has an agreement with Sustainable Business Network's Go Circular 2025 Programme. We are proud to be partnering with the Sustainable Business Network to launch the Creating a NZ Circular Economy Directory

Join SBN for the online launch of the brand new Circular Economy Directory for Aotearoa New Zealand. This free event is on 12 April at 12.30pm.

The Directory will be the go-to place to find products and services that can help your business ‘go circular’. That means designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and regenerating nature.

Learn how the Directory can help you and be inspired by our guest speakers who are using circular economy practices already.

We ran a free webinar featuring William Allouche, a PhD student and member of the Āmiomio Aotearoa project. He discussed his research proposal on "Developing a sustainable building system using design for deconstruction, biobased building materials, and recycled waste."

The event took place on Tuesday, 6th June 2023, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (NZT). It was held online via Zoom, and the URL link will be provided to attendees upon registration. The duration of the webinar was 1 hour, which included a Q&A session and an opportunity for discussion.