OPINION: Damien O'Connor is never one to shy away from speaking his mind and ruffling a few feathers, and in a nice way he did this at Federated Farmers’ conference last week.

A Māori-owned and operated berryfruit company, Miro, aims to return $170 million annual income in eight years to its blueberry growers using state-of-the-art systems.

$30 MILLION will be invested in building 10 kiwifruit orchards on Maori land in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne over the next 18 months, says entrepreneur Te Tumu Pairoa, in partnership with Quayside Holdings.

A new Maori-owned new dairy factory is being planned for the Kawerau region, modelled on the first Maori dairy company Miraka, near Taupo.

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has urged more students to undertake a new Māori Agribusiness major Massey University is offering as part of the Bachelor of AgriCommerce.

Horticulture can expect to see more talent and capital in the industry with Maori, says Plant and Food chief executive officer Peter Landon-Lane.

Five hundred years is a long time, but for Ngai Tahu Farming it’s just the beginning – they are working to a 500 year business plan for the iwi.

Hemi Dawson says Ngai Tahu Farming have to set the standard everyone aspires to because their mana is at stake.

A group of 11 farms owned by various iwi in Northland have formed a collective under the Te Hiku banner to gain greater influence through scale.

The key to getting ahead in dairying, says Tangaroa Walker, is to seize every opportunity and find ways to stand out.