Virtual farmers' market to open

Maori entrepreneurs will have added support when a Hawke's Bay-based website comes online next month.
Kahungunu Asset Holding Company was looking for ways to expand people's wealth when it started the Aunty's Garden network last year.
From April this year www.auntiesgarden.com will offer a virtual farmers market to connect buyers and growers of natural produce and goods.
General manager Aramanu Ropiha said Aunty's Garden was about creating pathways for Maori entrepreneurs to deliver their products to market.
"We have about 50 'aunties' and we're putting out a call to encourage more people to join our movement," she said. "Our greatest resources - our people and our land - are rich with economic potential.
Aunty's Garden gives us a way to break down the barriers and unlock their potential, by providing producers with a market for their goods."
The network was named in honour of the women who worked tirelessly to support their whanau, retain their traditions and hold fast to the land of their tipuna, Ms Ropiha said. Anyone could be an "Aunty" from a grower selling potatoes at the garden gate, to large-scale producers.
Waipatu Marae was hosting an event tomorrow to celebrate the first summer of Aunty's Garden.
There would be garden tours, history and waiata, harvesting and a cooking competition.
A Powhiri would be held at 9.30am at Waipatu Marae.