"We have a large range of tested and trialled high performance manuka varieties designed for specific regions, as well as eco-sourced varieties suitable for planting at or near their source. MFNZ is providing wrap-around services to ensure greater planting and growing success."
Te Uru Rakau has contracted MFNZ to manage planning, and assessing the suitability of sites for manuka plantations to be planted this winter.
"This is great opportunity for landowners to plant manuka on their land," says Te Uru Rakau head Julie Collins. "To get the very best possible outcomes, we need to ensure the right manuka seedlings are matched to the land. MFNZ has experience and expertise in this area. This initiative will contribute to the Government's One Billion Trees Programme."
Mr Lee said there was no limit on the size of the proposed plantations for which landowners could apply. But the land approved for planting would be determined as part of the assessment process.
"Ideally the land is already free of weeds and pests as this will enable planting to take place between July and September."
Mr Lee said while there was no minimum plantation size, larger-sized plantations would be assessed more favourably as the opportunities for producing higher-quality honey increased with plantation size.
Landowners would need to cover the costs of packing and dispatching the seedlings from the nursery, site preparation such as pest and weed control, fencing, planting costs and monitoring.
Landowners would not be eligible for this offer for land that had received funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries for planting in 2018 through programmes such as the Afforestation Grant Scheme, Hill Country Erosion Programme or the Erosion Control Funding Programme.
MFNZ will also work with councils and government agencies to help facilitate investment that could be available to landowners for planting. Landowners were advised to register their interest by yesterday, but Mr Lee told The Country he was encouraging late registrations as well.
Where applicable, landowners would be entitled to keep the carbon credits that accrue from the plantation.
MFNZ was formed in 2011 as a result of a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) programme called High-Performance Manuka Plantations.
Through a seven-year programme of research and pilot plantations, knowledge has been developed about how to establish and manage high performing manuka plantations for the production of medical-grade manuka honey. MFNZ was established to make that knowledge available to landowners.
MFNZ contains shareholding representing strong primary sector and apiary interests, including Comvita NZ Ltd, Hawke's Bay Regional Council, DC and CY Tweeddale Partnership, Nukuhau Carbon Ltd, Landcorp Farming Ltd and Te Tumu Paeroa.
The partnership has 15 manuka trial sites on 400ha across New Zealand. These have been monitored for manuka survival, growth, floral density and nectar quantity and production, stocking rates, pest and weed issues, nectar and honey production.
For more information or to register your interest, phone Manuka Farming NZ Ltd general manager Stephen Lee on 020 412 22858 or email stephen@manukafarming.co.nz.
It's an opportunity to plant 1.8 million manuka trees on around 1635ha across NZ.