January 20, 2015
Maori exporters up for prize
Maori food & beverage company Kono, fishing company Sealord and milk processor Miraka have made the finals of the New Zealand International Business Awards.
Sealord, which is jointly owned by Maori and Japanese interests, is up against the likes of fruit sorting equipment manufacturer Compac, Synlait Milk and Yealands Wine in the over $50 million division.
It's also in with Kono and Miraka in the He kai kei aku ringa for Maori Excellence in Export category.
That section will be judged by Robin Hapi, who used to chair Sealord's 50 percent shareholder Aotearoa Fisheries, along with Sir Wira Gardiner and Iwi Investor Group chief executive Tina Wilson.
Kono manages the interests of Nelson's Wakatu Incorporation in wine, horticulture crops like apples, pears, kiwifruit, and hops, as well as seafood.
Judges says the 2015 contenders represent one of the most diverse lists of finalists in the Awards history, cutting across multiple sectors and services.
The awards, which are run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the ANZ bank, will be announced on March 25.
Copyright © 2015, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com