- News from Massey University –
New research from the Whenua Haumanu programme is unearthing the historical role of indigenous grass species in farming systems, suggesting they may warrant renewed attention as agriculture responds to a changing climate.
With climate variability, rising fertiliser costs and increasing pressure on farming systems, locally adapted plant species are being revisited to determine whether they could broaden the conversation around resilience in pastoral agriculture, although their performance under modern conditions remains largely untested.
The research, part of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Whenua Haumanu programme, focuses on reviewing the historical use of native grass species that have been largely overlooked since the rise of high-input farming systems in the early 20th century.
Led by doctoral candidate Eru Tait-Jamieson, Ngāti Tukorehe, and Professor Jon Procter, Muaūpoko, the research compiles historical records and literature to better understand how these species were previously used.
Native grasses once played an important role in New Zealand’s pastoral landscapes. Before European colonisation, Māori used species such as kāretu for weaving, thatching and rongoā (traditional medicine). Early pastoral farmers also recognised the grazing value of native species, including pātītī and danthonia, which were commercially traded by the 1920s.
Mr Tait-Jamieson says the decline of native pasture grasses reflected changing agricultural and societal priorities, rather than just a lack of suitability for farming.
“As farming intensified and focused on maximum production, breeding efforts were, understandably, directed toward introduced species that had already undergone substantial improvement before they were brought to New Zealand,” he says.
“Modern pasture systems now rely entirely on exotic species such as perennial ryegrass. This shift accelerated following the widespread importation of phosphatic fertiliser from Nauru after World War I, along with plant breeding programmes focused on exotic species, that helped drive the development of highly productive farming systems that left native grasses behind.”
The research notes historical and observational reports of traits in these species, with pātītī described as drought-tolerant, kāretu as resilient to high temperatures and blue tussock as highly palatable, which could be of interest for exploring resilience under current and future climate pressures.
The researchers say the potential value of native grasses lies not in competing directly with highly bred exotic pasture species, but in the functional traits they may contribute to more resilient farming systems.
“The question is not whether wild-type native grasses can outproduce centuries of exotic cultivar development. Rather, it’s whether they can contribute traits that enhance the productivity and resilience of more diverse, lower-input pasture systems,” Mr Tait-Jamieson says.
Despite growing interest in pasture diversity as a tool for improving farm resilience, contemporary diverse pastures in New Zealand still rely entirely on exotic species.
Further research, including evaluation under modern pastoral conditions, is needed, but Mr Tait-Jamieson says current agricultural context supports taking a fresh look at Indigenous grasses and their potential role in future farming systems.
“Revisiting species that evolved here under local conditions provides insights into their past roles and may guide future research toward more resilient farming.”
About Whenua Haumanu
This research forms part of Whenua Haumanu, New Zealand’s most comprehensive programme examining the impacts of contemporary and regenerative pastoral farming practices, which focus on soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem outcomes. The seven-year initiative is led by Massey University, supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries, and brings together universities, research institutes and industry partners to assess the suitability and relevance of regenerative agriculture in New Zealand.
Source: Massey University
