| 53 Tatau Tatau Horticulture Partnership HORTICULTURE Hard work has already borne fruit So far 48 hectares of apples have been planted on the 109 hectares. Haumako Horticulture’s hard work has already borne fruit with the Wairoa orchard honoured at the Hawkes Bay Export Awards. Haumako Horticulture is a post-settlement entity established by Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust. The commercial venture is focused on developing high-production horticulture to benefit the Wairoa community. So far 48 hectares of apples have been planted on the 109 hectares the trust purchased. The land was previously used for cropping and grazing and is now abundant with Envy and Jugala variety apples. Haumako General Manager Robin Kaa (Rongomaiwahine) said the aim was to create employment and training opportunities. “We want to create a sustainable workforce in Wairoa while growing the skill base.” Long term through diversified planting the focus was on creating 12 months of work, in a bid to alleviate the seasonal nature of horticultural roles. It’s been a journey. “The first year we had the cyclone and we ended up giving the fruit to whanau. The next year we were able to export then last year we lost 40 per cent of our crop to hail. We have since put up hail netting which was always part of the plan. We did export the remaining 60 per cent of our crop.” They run a three year long cadetship. “Initially we had 12 cadets who were 16 T T Emma Bailey Your HR Business Partner team@growhr.co.nz | 06 878 5454 www.growhr.co.nz Providing expertise in human resources, employment relations, and remuneration & benefits to help you unlock the full potential of your team. With the right people practices in place, your workforce becomes your greatest asset. Discover how tailored people solutions can align with your business goals and position you for long-term success. claasharvestcentre.com HAWKES BAY 1320–1322 Omahu Road, Hastings 06 872 1010 CLAAS Harvest Centre Hawkes Bay is proud to support Tatau Tatau Horticulture Partnership Website: www.zornsurveying.co.nz Email: info@zornsurveying.co.nz HAWKE'S BAY FENCING & EARTHWORKS SERVICES Proudly Supporting Tatau Tatau Horticulture Partnership At Te Kumi Enterprises, based in Wairoa, we provide comprehensive rural and commercial services across the greater Hawke's Bay region. Our expertise spans rural fencing, stockyards, earthworks, drainage, dams, culverts, orchard trellis structures, hail netting, and more. With a commitment to precision, efficiency, and quality service, we ensure every project is completed to the highest standard. Rural Fencing, Stockyards, Drainage and Earthworks Services inWairoa and Hawke’s Bay 027 828 3960 tekumiltd@gmail.com tekumienterprises.co.nz years old. We quickly learned we weren’t able to deal with that. So the next year we took on eight who were aged up to 30 and that worked out well having the variation of ages.” The biggest misconception is, it is “just picking apples,” Robin said. “There is lots of maths and science to horticulture which they learn through the cadetship. Also working in an orchard you have to manage staff.” They are also studying towards their Level 3 Certificate in Primary Industries. The cadet’s hard work has already paid off with one winning best apple grower of the year at the Gisborne Young Grower of Year competition 2024. Then in July at the Export NZ ASB Hawkes Bay Export Awards they won the Judges Choice award and were finalists in the Emerging Business Award. “When it first came across my desk I initially didn’t want to enter because we didn’t have a great year with the hail. But then there a lot of great things we have done and to be recognised by the judges was great. “We are heads down doing the mahi in Wairoa so it was nice to get out and have someone recognise our hard work.” The feedback from the judges was particularly useful, Robin said. “You get feedback which was really valuable and basically free consultancy. “It was great to network and make new connections. Even to be considered a finalist amongst the other amazing businesses was an honour. Horticulture is a new venture for Wairoa so there was lots of consultation. “Our environmental practices are driven by Tikanga Maori. Now the community can see the positive impact of the orchard. We have spent about $2.5 million in the community through wages and using local contractors.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=