FARM UPDATES

TRACEABILITY

NZ Mānuka growers are revitalizing traditional (Māori) farming and healing practices.

We spoke with Vicki Murray, one of the five trustees to the land and a mokopuna tuarua (descendant) of Ngamihi Materangatira Waaka-Paora.

1. How long have you been involved in growing Mānuka on your land?

The trees were planted around June last year, we look forward to September or October when it is anticipated the first harvest will occur.

2. In what ways are you collaborating to grow Mānuka and what has the positive impact been for you and your Iwi?

We knew other growers would need to have a model to follow, they would feel more secure in investing in a product if it was seen to be working by someone else, someone they knew and could talk to. We decided to focus at the local level first, to increase the amount of canopied tree volume by bringing the smaller land trusts into growing before approaching the iwi. The impact is that trusts are collaborating more, even if it's having discussions around various opportunities to develop their lands. We are really still at the foundational stages where folk are quietly optimistic but still waiting cautiously to see what happens to us.

3. What does the land mean to you, are you able to explain a little on the heritage of the land?

Because of the land wars and confiscations, we only have small parcels of land remaining, the responsibility trustees have to the many beneficiaries of the land is huge. Our options have been limited due to the lack of finances and the restrictions open to us to develop the land under multiple title ownership, so we are grateful to be able to have finally found an investment which meets our needs. Several improvements have occurred as a result of us entering into a partnership with NZ Mānuka Group, the first is the rental received for the lease of the land used has increased. The second and equally important to us is the mānuka trees are natives and as such would have been a resource in our (Māori) traditional practices. The revitalisation of such practices as modes of healing are central to our cultural, social and health strategies.

4. Can you explain the land trust and what the land was used for prior to working with NZ Mānuka?

A comprehensive study on the historical use of the block is yet to be taken but we know our ancestors planted various food crops in the lands around the marae. The land is succeeded to by descendants of the original owners. The trustees of this particular parcel of land are the fourth generation descendants from our great grandmother. Most recently over the last twenty years or so, the previous trustees of the block leased the land to a local maize grower. The only return to the trust was a lease for the use of the land.

5. What are some of the traditional therapeutic applications of Mānuka that you are aware of?

Once again, we have lost much of our traditional knowledge in this area. We do know our ancestors applied all types of rongoa (medicinal remedies) harvested from trees and plants such as poultices and salves, as herbs and flavouring in drinks and cooking. Now that we have a mānuka plantation we look forward to researching and resuming those ancient practices again. Our great grandmother, was a healer during the influenza epidemic in the 1900's, it is her attitude to providing care to the people in her community that has inspired us (well, me in particular) to agree to the planting of manuka for oil on our land.

6. What sustainability practices have you put in place on your land?

We are still at the planning stages regarding sustainability hampered by the lack of finances but our primary focus is on sourcing access to water and planting companion trees and shrubs surrounding the mānuka trees to protect and improve their growth and production of oil

Down Under Enterprises is the exclusive representative of New Zealand Mānuka in North America. From our Australian and US (Ohio-based) warehouses, we supply 100% pure and natural Mānuka Oil from Mānuka plantations based on Māori lands where all the local communities receive training, work and financial return for their contribution.

Read more:

Reclaiming the traditional way of Māori land ownership

EMPLOYEE PROFILE

Meet Damien our Sales Director for APAC with a strong background in the Fine Fragrance Industry.

Our Sales Director for APAC (Asia-Pacific), Damien Madier, shares a bit about his background and what drew him to working in the natural products industry.

What did you do before joining the team at Down Under? I was the Export Sales Manager with an established company in the Fine Fragrance Industry. While based in Grasse, France, I had responsibility for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) region. My work took me to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iran, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Moldova, Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Nigeria and more – I travelled to most of these countries twice a year.

What led you to want to work in the natural products industry? My environmental interests and the sustainability of essential oils, their genuine therapeutic properties, and the evolving customer awareness of the real value of natural products. There has been a trend in the F&F industry to move (back) to naturals, and I see great prospects for natural products.

What do you love most about what you do? Working with products in which I believe, development and accomplishment of projects with customers and bringing a positive change to the world.

What’s your favorite way to spend the weekend? Spending time with family and friends, travelling and discovering. I like events and sports – particularly Thai Boxing and K-1!

SUSTAINABILITY

Roos on the farm!

We were delighted to receive some surprise visitors at our Buhlambar [BUH-lum-bar] Farm in recent days! Some local kangaroos have started spending time on the farm. This is quite unique and a very welcome development.

Many rigorous agricultural practices disrupt the dynamic equilibrium of a natural ecosystem. The land which is our farm is now experiencing more peaceful days as the growing of Tea Tree is a much less intensive agricultural process than previous cropping and grazing activities of prior owners. Sustainability is at the heart of our farming operations and allowing the land to return to native plantings has been a priority. The Koala corridor we are developing has also been beneficial for native species. Our furry friends dropping in on the farm is another positive indication that we have been successful in returning the land to a more natural and native ecosystem.