Haere Mai Matariki
With the stars of Matariki to rise in June, Jeff Sinnott, a member of the Tuku Māori Winemakers Collective, looks at their relevance to our grape and wine community.
Making Hawke's Bay the leading exporter of premium primary produce is a key objective of Matariki – Hawke's Bay Regional Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2016.
It is a comprehensive plan to diversify and grow the Hawke's Bay economy, increasing jobs, income and investment in the region.
The plan aims to make Hawke's Bay the most innovative region in New Zealand, the leading exporter of premium primary produce and a hub for business growth. It focuses on improving pathways to employment, supporting business, lifting innovation and productivity, attracting investment and skilled migrants, developing infrastructure and increasing visitor spending.
As part of the Regional Growth Programme, the plan represents a coordinated approach to lifting the region's economic performance.
Local and central government, businesses and iwi worked together to develop the plan. Implementation of individual actions will be led by various groups and government agencies.
Iwi have been extensively involved in developing the strategy and action plan and have come together to form Te Kahui Ōhanga o Takitimu, which will play a key role in achieving collective economic goals for Māori.
Chinese textile company Saibosi has partnered with Wools of New Zealand to put the 'farm to floor' story of New Zealand wool rugs on screen for its customers.
Showcasing the huge range of new technologies and science that is now available was one of the highlights at last week's National Fieldays.
Coby Warmington, 29, a farm manager at Waima Topu Beef near Hokianga was named at the winner of the 2025 Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer Award for sheep and beef.
Northlanders scooped the pool at this year's prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Awards - winning both the main competition and the young Maori farmer award.
Red meat farmers are urging the Government to act on the growing number of whole sheep and beef farm sales for conversion to forestry, particularly carbon farming.
The days of rising on-farm inflation and subdued farmgate prices are coming to an end for farmers, helping lift confidence.
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