Maori landowners and honey producers will be buzzing in Rotorua over the next two days as they attend the He kai kei aku ringa National Maori Manuka Hui.
Associate Minister for Economic Development Te Ururoa Flavell, who is opening the hui at the Holiday Inn this morning, said there are major opportunities for Maori landowners in manuka honey because of rising demand and prices.
"New Zealand exports more than $220 million of honey a year and volumes have more than doubled in the last 10 years in response to rising prices."
"There are huge opportunities here for Maori landowners to maximise the return from their manuka-covered land particularly in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, East Coast, and Northland.
"Iwi are already investing in the industry and there are many success stories. Government can help support this momentum by bringing all those involved in the industry together at this hui so they have a clearer understanding of the balance between risks and rewards in the industry," he said.