Ko to tāua mana tangata, kei te taiao, kei te whenua, kei te wai / People need nature, land and waters for life, purpose and humanity.

Chaz (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāpuhi) provides mātauranga Māori direction, guidance, and leadership across Lincoln Agritech, ensuring research is grounded in cultural knowledge and values. His role strengthens the company’s ability to integrate Māori perspectives into science and innovation.

He lives in the mist‑clad mountains of Te Urewera where they are known as Nā tamariki o te kohu, The Children of The Mist,  in the small settlement of Ngāpūtahi. There, Chaz commits to kaitiakitanga.

“This living system, my home Te Urewera, reminds me that I am born with obligations, I am not born with rights, kaitiakitanga is an action not a position,” he says. Chaz lives close to Papatūānuku and Te Waonui‑ā‑Tāne fulfilling his leadership role as pakeke for the permanency of Te Urewera for all to experience and enjoy.

Chaz brings both scientific insight and cultural leadership, helping Lincoln Agritech deliver research that respects and protects the environment while supporting iwi/communities building capability and capacity amongst rangatahi as the new generation of kaitiaki.

Focus areas:

• Mātauranga Māori leadership and guidance
• Integrating cultural values into science and innovation
• Kaitiakitanga and environmental stewardship