The Ministry of Social Development and Miro Limited Partnership, a Maori-owned berry fruit company have launched a new partnership.
With funding from the ministry, Miro, which is owned by more than 20 Maori trusts, iwi and entities across Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Taranaki and Nelson/Marlborough, has launched its employment and training programme.
Miro aims to build a global export berry fruit business, owned and run by Maori, on Maori-owned land, using new horticultural technologies and intellectual property.
Ministry funding will support the employment and training of up to 40 staff on Miro orchards during the next 12 months.
Willie Jackson, Minister of Employment and associate minister for Maori development, attended and spoke at the launch, hosted yesterday afternoon by Ngati Haua at the iwi's Rukumoana Marae in Morrinsville.