January 21, 2014
Kahungunu eye own meatworks
Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is considering a bid for Silver Fern Farms' Frasertown meatworks in Wairoa.
Chairperson Ngahiwi Tomoana says the idea is part of the iwi's export strategy.
He says Maori farmers would be better off by supplying direct to the market and retaining all the earnings in the supply chain rather than waving goodbye to the animals and the profits at the farm gate.
As chair of both the iwi and the Maori Economic Development Taskforce he has pushed for the creation of a Maori brand that would allow Maori producers to tell their unique story and history in the Asia-Pacific region and reforge traditional links into Asia.
The strategy also includes training Maori to play a greater part in working and managing their farms.
The year the iwi bought the 3680ha Tautane Station east of Woodville as part of a plan to diversify from fisheries to farming.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Keith Cooper says the Frasertown works are not currently up for sale.
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