Eight elements of tauutuutu

“We are embedded; actions ripple.”

• Better information flow and earlier warning signals.
• Faster coordination across partners and teams.
• Downstream impacts are seen sooner (so they don’t become future costs).

“Benefits create duties.”

• Less opportunism; fewer enforcement and monitoring costs.
• Higher reliability when formal contracts can’t specify everything.
• More willingness to solve problems rather than litigate them.

“Each exchange deepens the bond.”

• Turns one-off transactions into durable relationships.
• Lower acquisition costs and higher lifetime value.
• Repeat collaboration becomes the default, not the exception.

“Reputation capital with teeth.”

• Stronger bargaining position and higher-quality partnerships.
• Attracts aligned partners and talent.
• Reduces perceived risk in deals, delivery, and governance.

“System vitality and limits.”

• Builds resilience rather than running the system down.
• Avoids value destruction through degradation and scarcity.
• Protects the resource base future cashflows depend on.

“Balance is ongoing management.”

• Keeps the system investable over decades, not quarters.
• Avoids short-term optimisation that creates long-term liabilities.
• Improves learning loops: adjust, don’t entrench.

“Surplus circulates to strengthen the base.”

• Builds capability and demand in the owner/community base.
• Strengthens social licence and the future labour pipeline.
• Reinvests in the ecosystem that sustains the enterprise.

“Take/return relationship with whenua, awa, and species.”

• Reduces regulatory and consenting risk (fewer nasty surprises).
• Supports premium positioning with credible practice, not slogans.
• Protects biophysical foundations of long-run production.