Makarini is an experienced mahinga kai practitioner, who lives and breathes Kai Tahu customary knowledge and practice. For generations his whanau have harvested tīti, inaka, putaki, koura, paua, tio, kutai, kekewai, tuna and other mahinga kai species. Through this customary practice Makarini has been imparted with the matauraka of these species, places and practices. As a key recent highlight Makarini designed the first permitting system for the customary harvest of Inaka (whitebait) in the Kai Tuahuriri region, a first for Aotearoa. 

He is current Chair of the Tangatiaki Kaitiaki forum of Kai Tuahuriri and practicing Tangatiaki Kaitiaki for Kati Huikai. He sits on multiple boards, as Mana Whenua representative for the Ihutai Trust, Torotoroa Trust, is a Shareholder of Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd, and an Executive Governor of Te Runanga o Ngai Tuahuriri. Makarini is also a Poū Matai Kō, for the Canterbury Regional Council, where he leads multiple projects across the Waitaha rohe for the protection of land, water and the preservation of indigenous flora and fauna. 

His passion is Mahinga Kai and has led multiple monitoring and restoration projects throughout the Waitaha region including the restoration of Inaka habitats, the restoration of watercress beds and he is current Mana Whenua representative for the Redzone Mahinga Kai forest reservation project at Kaiapoi.