Experience with real life on agenda

Te Horipo Karaitiana, CEO, Federation of Maori Authotrities. Photo / Duncan Brown

Speakers with first-hand knowledge of the realities of their industry are included in this year's Federation of Maori Authorities national conference (FOMA).

Maori farming success and industry safety will be key topics at the conference from September 26-28 in Whanganui.

Taranaki Maori trust, Te Rua o te Moko, will share its story about reconnecting with its land and its people, and eventually building a multimillion-dollar dairy farming operation.

The top Hawera-based operation was presented with the eminent Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Excellence in Farming Award for Dairy and $40,000 worth of sponsored prizes at an annual awards ceremony in Tauranga.

"Te Rua o te Moko are really leading by example.

"They have worked hard to reconnect their people and the land, including 49ha that was returned through the Treaty settlement process," federation chief executive Te Horipo Karaitiana said.

"Not only are they running a successful dairy operation, but last year they also celebrated with the first graduates from their dairy training programme who are all now working in the industry."

The conference will include presentations from speakers who have first-hand experience.

Forestry industry representative Wiremu Edmonds is a fourth-generation bushman whose son died in a forestry accident last year.

Mr Edmonds is now involved in developing a new ACC health and safety programme and will be speaking on industry safety at the conference.

The Federation of Maori Authorities has member organisations from 11 regions throughout the country and represents businesses involved in industries including forestry, dairy, horticulture, property, agriculture, fishing and energy.

The federation's 150 member organisations have a collective asset base worth around $8million.

The conference welcomes anyone with an interest in Maori economic development.

• The full conference programme and registration information is available at http://federation.conference.maori.nz/index.htm. Registrations close on September 19.

Direct all inquiries to Te Horipo Karaitiana on 021 585 851.