Whenua Magazine - Issue 27

Page 16

PKW CONSIDERS HORTICULTURE TO ENHANCE BUSINESS DIVERSITY With diversification a key emphasis of the Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) long-term strategy, the organisation’s governance and senior management teams recently visited Wakatū Incorporation to investigate potential future opportunities for business growth.

Based in Nelson and one of the

commonality in the challenge and

and develop as Māori businesses,

largest private landowners in Te Tau

opportunity of perpetual leases, the

both domestically and offshore.”

Ihu region, Wakatū has a diverse

need to diversify and the desire to

portfolio with its main interests in

protect and grow assets for the benefit

horticulture including apples, berries,

of future generations.

kiwifruit, pears and hops grown over

Diversification into horticulture meets

224 hectares. It markets its produce and other consumables under the Kono brand name.

PKW core strategic imperatives by creating employment opportunities as well as building a sustainable,

Warwick adds, “We are exploring the opportunities horticulture offers us by considering the best path to follow. We want to work in partnership with those already experienced in the sector to gain the technical acumen we need and understand the marketplace — in

“This trip was an excellent opportunity

balanced portfolio of investments.

to catch up with our Te Tau Ihu

“We wanted to kōrero with our Wakatū

apprenticeship.”

whānau because the horticulture

“There are, of course, challenges

whānau with whom we share a great deal of whakapapa due to the migration of many Ngāti Tama and Te Atiawa people down to Te Tau Ihu during the 1800s,” says CEO Warwick Tauwhare-George. While Wakatū and PKW have different

sector offers the potential to deliver strong returns for our shareholders, taking into consideration our environmental, cultural and social drivers. Plus, collaboration is essential to enabling success.”

essence to complete our horticulture

with any new venture. A new start-up operation would require considerable investment in both capital and people resources, plus the risk profile attached to new ventures is usually elevated. Inversely, we could

core businesses of dairy farming

“Sharing opportunities and sharing

purchase an established operation

and horticulture, the two share a

experiences enables us all to grow

which would more than likely have a

14 | HE WHENUA


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