Sunday, 01 May 2016 15:55

Sweet opportunities for locals

Written by 
30 hectares of mānuka will be initially planted on Northland College land – an initiative that provides current and future employment opportunities for Kaikohe people. 30 hectares of mānuka will be initially planted on Northland College land – an initiative that provides current and future employment opportunities for Kaikohe people.

This week marked the first day of work for 11 Work and Income clients, who will be developing Northland College's mānuka plantation site.

30 hectares of mānuka will be initially planted on Northland College land – an initiative that provides current and future employment opportunities for Kaikohe people.

The Northland College Mānuka Initiative stems from the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan which identifies 58 actions for stimulating the Northland economy.

Senior Regional Official, Ben Dalton is responsible for the government's delivery of the Action Plan and highlights the significance of the Northland College Manuka Initiative.

"The mānuka honey production industry as well as many other primary industries have been identified as a growing industry in Northland. That means there will be more jobs available, and skilled workers will be in demand," says Dalton.

"The 11 people have been trained in foundation forestry skills and will be working for 16 weeks. Solid training combined with solid experience on the job means these workers will be ready when new jobs open up. We want local primary industries to be able to employ skilled locals."

"The initiative not only provides work opportunities immediately, it also provides Northland College students the opportunity to study Apiculture through Lincoln University, and gain practical experience on site, giving them an upper hand for future employment," Dalton adds.

The Initiative is being implemented by Northland College and supported by Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Puni Kokiri and Ministry for Social Development.

Background information

With government support, an initial 30 hectares of Northland College land will be planted in high performing mānuka cultivars for honey production. By 2017, this is expected to extend to 100 hectares.

Knowing what mānuka cultivars to plant, and how the plantation is to be planted and managed for honey production are a result of successful scientific research to date that the Ministry for Primary Industries and Manuka Research Partnership (NZ) Ltd are investing in through the Primary Growth Partnership.

The mānuka site will provide revenue in the future for the College to reinvest.

The mānuka plantation site has the potential for high erosion and the mānuka will help stabilise the land to stop more erosion.

This initiative was a highlight of the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan in February this year. 5 Ministers visited the school and planted mānuka trees on the school grounds to symbolise the significance of the project.

More like this

Winners and losers

The main beneficiaries of the EU FTA will be kiwifruit, onions, honey, wine and seafood.

Battle over honey continues

New Zealand honey producers are "disappointed but undeterred", while Australian beekeepers have welcomed a "common sense" ruling.

Sticky mess

OPINION: Your canine crusader sees that NZ Manuka industry has upset its Australian counterparts – again!

Sweet deal for EU honey exports

The impact of a new European Union free trade agreement removing a 17.3% tariff on NZ-sourced honey in July is translating into increasing sales volumes, according to one exporter.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter