The Māori Kiwifruit Growers, a New Zealand-based advocacy group, has been granted nearly $1 million from the Ministry for Primary Industries' Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund. This financial injection, supplemented by a co-investment of $987,523, aims to bolster export earnings for growers and strengthen Aotearoa's ties with indigenous communities worldwide.
The group plans to expand upon a pilot project with Zespri, the country's primary kiwifruit exporter. This collaboration enabled the shipment of three containers of Zespri-branded kiwifruit to Hawaii in 2020, marking a first for the advocacy group. Chairman Anaru Timutimu revealed that the group plans to send 16 more containers to Hawaii this year, establishing themselves as the sole supplier of New Zealand kiwifruit to the region.
Timutimu stated that the funding will help to elevate Māori growers and broaden their opportunities in the export market. He also expressed plans to continue marketing alongside Zespri, targeting markets with indigenous links or alignment with Māori values.
A spokesperson for Zespri confirmed the company's collaboration with 15 other firms to export New Zealand-grown kiwifruit to various global markets, reinforcing Zespri's commitment to supporting Māori growers and fostering a more resilient, connected, and innovative industry.
Source: www.rnz.co.nz