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Maori Trustee Jamie Tuuta says there’s a manuka gold rush going on and Maori landowners are set to benefit.
The Maori Trustee Te Tumu Paeroa this year became a shareholder in Manuka Research Partnership.
Mr Tuuta says that’s allowed Te Tumu Paeroa to develop strong relationships with established players in the industry like major Taihape beekeepers Don and Conchita Tweedale, Landcorp, Hawkes Bay Regional Council and others.
The company has invested heavily in research on the different types of manuka and how it can be cultivated in ways that produce the most high value honey.
"The opportunity here is one of access to cultivars which can be planted on Maori land. We are pleased that particular entity is moving into the commercialisation phase alongside the likes of Comvita and Tweeddale, one of the larger beekeeping companies. We look forward to that int eh New Year about identifying blocks and how we might use that relationship to improve outcomes for Maori landowners that we’re involved with," Mr Tuuta says.
Manuka is also a useful crop to address erosion on some of the marginal land the Maori Trustee manages.
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