Leaders’ forum for young horticulturalists
Eight competitors from the Young Horticulturist of the Year met recently for a Young Leaders' Forum.
Rotorua is set to host a unique forum this year on the innovative and commercial uses of New Zealand flax (Maori name; harakeke)
The forum aims to bring together people interested in the commercial potential of harakeke.
Commercial use of harakeke is not new in New Zealand; in fact, flax mills were in operation as early as the 1860s, with the last mill closing in 1985.
However, Sarah Heine, CEO of the Biopolymer Network, says that the aim of the forum is to cover the extensive work done on this plant over the last decade.
The forum will cover topics including species selection, plantations, industrial processing, muka (traditional fibre preparation) innovation, composites, natural skincare and other uses.
"This motivating forum will provide a platform for those seeking to commercialise an idea, concept or existing product and to allow discussion facilitated by Callaghan Innovation on the potential of harakeke and its future direction," says Heine.
The event is to be held on Friday, 20 February 2015 and is open to the public. Heine particularly encourages small business developers, researchers, scientists, natural skincare companies and anyone interested in the commercial opportunities of harakeke within New Zealand to come along.
People wanting to find out more about the NZ Flax (Harakeke) Forum and to register can go to:
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.