April 06, 2018
New Maori food initiative sets benchmark
The manager of Maori economy at the crown’s technology development agency says the Nuku ki te Puku initiative is setting a benchmark for how scientists and researchers can work with Maori business.
Maori food and beverage producers have formed the consortium to develop and bring to market a range of value add products, starting with a nut-based nutritious snack bar.
Aroha Armstrong from Callaghan Innovation says the agency kicked off the initiative by creating the environment where entrepreneurs, incorporations and land trusts could collaborate and learn from the various crown science agencies.
"They’re a group of 14 Maori and businesses and organisations right across the supply chain, the value chain, so they’re growers, harvesters, they’re businesses, investors, retailers, and together they’ve got like a giant brain. When they’re working together and using tech they are coming up with some pretty world leading stuff," she says.
Callaghan is also supporting the Miro collective, which is set to put Maori growers at the centre of the blueberry business.
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