Maori venture success

Press, 17 November 1981, Page 27

Maori venture success

PA Wellington The first Maori trade mission to Japan and Malaysia has returned home jubilant with great news for Maori farmers. ■'■ ." ■ The Huarahi (pathway forward) Developments Mission of seven members had the blessing of the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) and $lO,OOO backing from the. Maori AL fairs Department The Japanese and Malaysian buyers will take all the produce the Huarahi Developments — a joint venture between Maori tribal trusts and the Nelson-based T.N.L. Group. Ltd — farmers can provide, provided it is up to standard.

Right now it is sweet com and pumpkins, grown from Japanese seed acquired in advance. Harvesting is due in February, with the first shipment to the new markets due one month later.

The yields are expected to return $390 for each .405 ha (one acre) for sweet corn and $7OO for the same area for pumpkins. The first sales will provide the development costs for more crops and orchards on a progressive scale, until the 300,000 hectares owned by Maoris in the Bay of Plenty are cultivated. Several thousand Maori owners will benefit from the long-term plan which will also open up employment for rural Maori young people. The mission’s leader, Mr Claude Edwards, of Opotiki, said that crops already planted under contract to Huarahi had been committed for sale at prices which would ensure the growers a good return.