The Riddet Institute and the Federation of Maori Authorities have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will help provide distinctiveness and added value to Maori primary produce.
The Riddet Institute, a national Centre of Research Excellence, intends to provide strategic advice on food research and innovation for specific opportunities that have been identified by the Federation.
The Riddet Institute commissioned report ‘A Call to Arms’, published in 2012, acknowledged that Maori agri-food assets have considerable potential. Maori primary industry assets form 15 percent of national dairy production, 18-20 percent of beef and lamb production and 50 percent of all seafood production.
Dr Abby Thompson, the Riddet Institute’s food innovation manager, says – “A key role of the Riddet Institute is supporting the growth and development of New Zealand’s agri-food industry, while the Federation has a similar role in advancing the Maori economy. This MoU recognises the synergy that is possible through our working more closely together, and combining our respective areas of expertise.”
Federation chief executive TeHoripo Karaitiana says the Maori agri-business sector had lifted its performance considerably over the past decade and was now starting to look “beyond the farm gate” at niche, high-value opportunities in the international market place.
“That makes a relationship with an internationally recognised research provider such as the Riddet all the more important,” he says. “They will be able to help us understand what the future of food is, and how we should be positioning ourselves and looking to distinguish our market offerings.” He noted that Riddet’s expertise and areas of research interest extended well beyond traditional food forms into the new means of delivering nutrition and supporting nutritional uptake.
“These are areas we need to turn our attention to,” he says.
Background
The Federation of Maori Authorities was formed in 1987 and represents over 110 Maori authorities with an estimated natural resource asset value of approximately $7 billion. The Federation is the peak industry body of the Maori economic sector and members have enterprises in seafood, forestry, dairy, horticulture, property, agriculture, energy and investments both in New Zealand and abroad.
A Business Economic Research Ltd (BERL) 2010 Report estimated the Maori economy had assets valued at $37 billion.
The Riddet Institute became a national Centre of Research Excellence (CoRE) in 2007. Its role is to explore food structures and how they affect human digestion. The Institute has more than 60 PhD scholars undertaking studies at the nexus of food science and digestion. Its headquarters are in Palmerston North on Massey’s Manawatu campus.
PHOTO: From left: Distinguished Professor Paul Moughan, co-director, Riddet Institute, Distinguished Professor Harjinder Singh, co-director, Riddet Institute, Dr Selwyn Katene, Assistant Vice Chancellor (Maori, Pasifika & New Migrants), Massey University, and TeHoripo Karaitiana, chief executive, Federation of Maori Authorities.
