Te Puna Mātauranga o Wairuakohu is a kaupapa bringing together groups focused on understanding and protecting Wairuakohu (Radula marginata), a plant native to Aotearoa. The initiative recognises the plant as a taonga and works to support the responsibilities and rights of Māori as kaitiaki, while exploring how research and development can benefit people and safeguard the plant and its ecosystem. Its work spans biodiscovery research into the plant’s growth, reproduction, genomics, chemistry and physiology, alongside studies of how environmental conditions influence its compounds.

Pre-clinical studies examine plant-derived compounds and their interactions with cells and human biology, including their potential to help heal and protect people. The kaupapa also develops production systems inspired by the plant’s natural processes and assesses intellectual property, ownership, access and benefit-sharing in line with relevant agreements and standards. Rather than presenting a commercial product range, the initiative is building relationships and research collaborations to support the development of high-value products