Maori trade mission off to Japan

Press, 28 October 1981, Page 35

Maori trade mission off to Japan

PA Wellington A seven-member Maori trade mission has left for Japan and Malaysia to try to sell horticultural produce. The mission is the first of its type. It has the blessing of the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) and a $lO,OOO grant from the Maori Affairs Department. The mission represents Huarahi (meaning “the pathway forward”) Developments, Ltd, which was incorporated this year. The company is a partnership between Maoris, who have 60 per cent of the shareholding, which is held by tribal trusts and incorporations, and the Nelson-based TNL Group, Ltd, which holds the rest of the shares. Huarahi Developments focus is on the development of 300,000 ha which are owned by Maoris in the Bay of Plenty. The TNL Group will ' train the Maori owners ip horticulture and will market the produce. The trade mission comprises mainly Maori farmers

and Huarahi Developments office-holders. A European member of the mission, the Deputy Secretary of Maori Affairs, Mr Bruce Robinson, said that the. mission would finalise prices for sweet corn, pumpkin, and other produce from an initial 243 ha in production. The development area would be more than doubled next year and later would be extended until all of the land was in crops and orchards. Mr Robinson said, “We are trying to provide from the cash cropping the development costs of orchards, which will be set up progressively over the next few years.” Several thousand Maori owners would benefit from the company’s projects, which would open up employment for young Maoris in the country. The company has bought plant at Taneatua, near Whakatane, to process produce for potential overseas markets.

Mr Muldoon, writing in a promotional brochure for the mission, said he was delighted by the initiative displayed by the company in promoting export trade. He said, "I hope to see the mission as the beginning of a long and profitable association between the Maoripeople and the ~ people of Japan and Malaysia, with Huarahi providing the pathway forward."