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Maori freehold land owners
are sitting on an industry worth potentially $8 billion,
but less than one third
of the entire Maori freehold land estate
is in full primary production.
Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy says
despite the great work being achieved
by some Maori landowners,
more work is needed
to kick start the remaining owners into production.
Roihana Nuri reports.
These cows walk twice every day to the milking sheds.
It started as a dairy farm.
We bought the land
and built a dairy farm.
Himiona Farm in the Bay of Plenty
is an example of how Maori land can be used productively.
We take the manure from cows to a worm farm we have on site.
Minister for Primary Industry Nathan Guy says
this farm is in the minority of Maori land blocks
realising its primary potential.
But the realisation of those primary opportunities
rest solely with Maori landowners nationwide.
Some of them want to come to us,
but they're leasing their land to other farmers.
Once those leases are up,
they hope to come and join us.
Himiona Farm was just announced as one of the finalists
in this year's Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards.
Roihana Nuri, Te Karere.
Along with Putauaki Trust's Himiona Farm,
the other two finalists of the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy
are the Bay of Plenty's
Ngati Awa Farms Ltd, Ngakauroa Farm,
and Taranaki's Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd.
The winner will be announced in Tauranga on June 13.