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November 10, 2014
Comvita in jv with East Taupo Lands Trust
Waatea Team
Posted On November 10, 2014
Listed health products company Comvita has formed a joint venture with a major Tuwharetoa landowner.
The Te Puke-based company will put an initial 3000 hives on East Taupo Lands Trust’s holdings to harvest manuka honey, which forms the basis of many of its products.
Trust chair Jim Maniapoto says rather than cutting the trees for firewood, Maori are increasingly recognising the value of manuka for honey production.
He says the joint venture company Kaimanawa Honey GP Ltd will create significant education and income opportunities.
He says the tribe has the land and Comvita has expertise and access to world markets.
A boom in the price of manuka honey and its associated products means producers have increasingly been seeking exclusive access to Maori land.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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