Blueberry farms point way so better land use

The new head of Māori horticulture company Miro says the days of Māori leasing their land to the neighbouring farmer are over.

Miro, which is owned by 27 iwi, ahu whenua trust and individual Māori shareholders, is establishing blueberry farms around the country.

Liz Te Amo says the aim is to own everything in the value chain from the plant genetics to the growing and exporting right through marketing, distribution and sales.’

Ms Te Amo, who spent 18 years with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise working with exporters around the world before returning home to work in Māori development, says the time is right for Māori to take control of their economic destiny.

"Miro is a wonderful platform, an opportunity, so it brings together Māori landowners and lifting productivity on Māori land so the days of leasing your land to the farmer next door are over. Māori really want to own high value businesses over their land, create jobs for their people," she says.

A recent jobs expo in the eastern bay of Plenty drew 140 people who wanted to work on the company’s new Te Teko blueberry farm.

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