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Amiomio Aotearoa (logo)

A circular economy for the wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand

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.

Our Team

Āmiomio Aotearoa is led by Kim Pickering. The leadership team also includes Tom Roa, Les Oxley, Barry Barton, Eva Collins and Robert Joseph.
The team has grown and now comprises 49 researchers and an advisory board.

The collaboration involves researchers from across disciplines at the University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, Victoria University of Wellington, Massey University, Auckland University of Technology, University of Otago, University of Auckland, SCION, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, BRANZ Ltd, and a number of international partner organisations.

Research Leaders – University of Waikato

Waikato Centre for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing – Director, Prof Kim Pickering
Centre for Environmental, Resources & Energy Law – Director, Prof Barry Barton
New Zealand Institute for Business Research – Director, A/Prof Eva Collins
Te Mata Hautū Taketake – Māori and Indigenous Governance Centre – Director, Dr Robert Joseph

Events

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

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

To register, click here to visit the Eventbrite listing.

Collaboration

Ᾱmiomio 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.


Reuse Aotearoa

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.

Inspiration for the Āmiomio Aotearoa Tohu (Design)

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.

General Enquiries

[email protected]