April 16, 2024
PM’s trip opens doors for Mulligan bio plan
Māori entrepreneur Wayne Mulligan hopes being part of the Prime Minister’s trade mission to Southeast Asia this week will open doors for the investment he needs to increase the value of New Zealand’s wood exports.
His company New Zealand Bio Forestry, which already has partners in Singapore and Taiwan, has a vision of turning tree plantation biomass into biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics and other innovative materials.
It plans to establish 15 sites across Asia-Pacific over the next two decades, with the first sites in Aotearoa.
Other Maori interests in the business delegation, which is led by Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell and Air NZ chair Dame Therese Walsh, include Federation of Maori Authorities chair Traci Houpapa, Linda Falwasser fron Ngai Tahu-linked aerospace company Tawhaki Joint Venture and Tuaropaki Trust CEO Kia Zia.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon yesterday met with outgoing Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.