Source: A Greener World
Indigenous-owned family winery in North Canterbury earns independent recognition for its regenerative viticulture
Photo Credit: Tiki Wine & Vineyards, North Canterbury, New Zealand
NORTH CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND (25 AUGUST 2026)—Nonprofit certifier A Greener World (AGW) is proud to announce that Tiki Wine & Vineyards, a family-owned, Māori wine producer in Waipara, North Canterbury, has become the first vineyard and winery in New Zealand to achieve Certified Regenerative by AGW status, an innovative sustainability certification providing whole-farm assurance of regeneration and environmental responsibility.
Founded by Royce and Sue McKean in 2006, Tiki has grown into one of New Zealand’s largest single-vineyard wine producers, growing, making and bottling its wine under one family-led operation. The name Tiki honours founder Royce McKean’s ancestor, Ngāti Uenuku Kōpako chief Tikitere Mihi. For Tiki, regenerative farming is a natural expression of kaitiakitanga: the Māori principle of caring for and protecting the land so it can be passed on in better condition for future generations.
That principle has guided the vineyard since its first vines were planted at Waiata, the family’s 364-hectare (899-acre) home estate, of which 320 hectares (790 acres) are under vine, planted with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. The estate has been farmed as a living ecosystem for the past six years.
Regenerative viticulture is central to every aspect of the estate’s management. Key practices at Waiata include:
- Diverse cover crops, wildflowers and native plantings between vine rows to support pollinators and beneficial insects, and to build a living soil.
- Permanent ground cover and minimal tillage to protect soil structure and biology.
- Sheep grazing between the rows to provide natural fertility and manage weeds.
- On-site composting, returned to the land to build organic matter over time.
- Precision water management to apply water where and when it is needed.
- Reduced machinery use, supported by drone technology to monitor vine health and ground cover across the site.
As public interest in sustainability continues to grow, the demand for rigorous and meaningful assurances of responsible farming has grown with it. Certified Regenerative by AGW is a plan-based, third-party certification, giving farmers, growers, consumers, and buyers confidence in reliability and impact. Certified farms meet rigorous sustainability standards and commit to continuous improvement, assessing risks, setting goals, and tracking progress with support from qualified experts. Plans are reviewed, approved, and independently audited on an ongoing basis by AGW, providing independent accountability for each farm’s regenerative progress.
Royce McKean, Founder and Managing Director of Tiki Wine & Vineyards, says: “Being certified by A Greener World gives us an independent, trusted way to show people something that has always been true about how we farm. We chose AGW because it is the world’s largest regenerative certifier, with a rigorous, audited standard that measures real change across soil, water, air, biodiversity and social responsibility, not just a marketing claim. As a Māori-owned family winery, this certification is a natural extension of kaitiakitanga.”
Wayne Copp, Regional Executive Director at A Greener World, says: “Our certification provides a rigorous yet practical path to meaningful impact at scale. When consumers see the Certified Regenerative by AGW label on a bottle from Tiki Wine & Vineyards, they can be confident they are choosing a wine that truly stands out, in quality and in positive social and environmental impact. We are delighted to welcome Tiki as the first vineyard and winery business in New Zealand to achieve Certified Regenerative by AGW status, and we look forward to supporting the team as its regenerative journey continues.”
Certified Regenerative by AGW wines from Tiki Wine & Vineyards are available to order online via https://tikiwine.com, as well as through Liquorland, New World, Four Square, and PAK’nSAVE stores across New Zealand and via the winery’s international distribution network. Check the AGW directory for details.
About A Greener World UK
A Greener World (AGW) identifies, audits, certifies and promotes practical, sustainable farming systems by supporting farmers and informing consumers. AGW’s growing family of trusted certifications includes Certified Animal Welfare Approved by AGW, Certified Grassfed by AGW, Certified Regenerative by AGW, and Certified Non-GMO by AGW. Each programme is designed to have positive and measurable impacts on the environment, society and animals, and to encourage truly sustainable farming practices. AGW’s standards and procedures are robust, transparent and achievable. AGW’s UK team provides international certification services under the AGW Global umbrella. For more information visit https://agreenerworld.org.uk.
About Certified Regenerative by AGW
Certified Regenerative by A Greener World (AGW) is a comprehensive, plan-based sustainability certification helping producers demonstrate their commitment to the environment and local communities. More than a certification, it serves as a tool for measuring the impacts of management practices. Certified Regenerative farms maximise soil health while mitigating the negative impacts of humans and livestock. This includes the positive management and regeneration of soil, water, air, cropping systems, livestock, biodiversity, wild harvested resources, and people.
The term ‘regenerative agriculture’ is often used to refer to a range of sustainable stewardship practices, many of which have been used by indigenous and traditional agricultural communities for thousands of years. But rising interest has led to a wide and growing variation in how ‘regenerative’ is defined and practiced. As commitments to adopt regenerative practices increase, so does the risk of misusing the claim to imply sustainability without delivering it—also referred to as ‘greenwashing.’ Currently, most regenerative claims are not verified, resulting in wide gaps in consumer expectation and on-farm practices. Unlike most food labels, AGW’s certifications ensure rigorous standards are validated on-farm by independent, trained auditors. For more information visit: https://agreenerworld.org/regenerative-viticulture/.