In 2015 Māori scientists Dr Amanda Black (soil scientist), Dr Nick Waipara (plant pathologist) and Melanie Mark-Shadbolt (social scientist) came together to test the need for a Māori Biosecurity Network. Supported by funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, via a Vision Mātauranga Connect Fund, they travelled the country talking to whānau, hapū and iwi about the lack of Māori participants in the biosecurity system and the exclusion of mātauranga from biosecurity solutions. 

In 2016 the Māori Biosecurity Network was informally established to connect Māori communities working to protect Aotearoa’s biological resources from biosecurity risks and threats, like the potentially devastating plant disease myrtle rust. Initially an informal coalition of the willing, biosecurity information and research was shared with Māori communities and entities across the country. 

In April 2017 the Māori Biosecurity Network was officially formed and gifted the name Te Tira Whakamātaki, the watchful ones, by Matua Kevin Prime and Dr Jamie Ataria. In May 2017 myrtle rust hit our shores, and because of the pre-emptive work Te Tira Whakamātaki had done across the country, the network was catapulted into the national limelight as it worked to support hapū/iwi respond and organised training for Māori environmental technicians. By August 2017 the National Iwi Chairs Forum, a collective of 70+ iwi entities, had mandated Te Tira Whakamātaki as their biosecurity technicians, sponsored by Te Rarawa Chair Haami Piripi. 

Te Tira Whakamātaki Limited (the Company) was formed in 2018, and in 2019 Te Tira Whakamātaki Foundation was created, it obtained charitable status, took control of the Company, and expanded the organisations brief to cover the protection of all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s taonga species and natural heritage. 

Described as thought-leaders in the research, science and innovation sector, as staunch environmental advocates by Māori and indigenous communities across the globe, and as engaging specialists by industry and government entities alike, Te Tira Whakamātaki is absolutely committed to advocating for indigenous-led solutions for a better planet.