The Race to Save Antiquity

Dr. Zahi Hawass

ISSUE EIGHT | $4.95

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TERRA MADRESlow Food with Culture

INDIGENOUS WISDOMSurviving Climate Change EGYPT’S REVOLUTIONThe Pivot of CleantechThe Pivot of Cleantech

MAORI PARTYThe Harawira Conscience

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www.fomana.co.nz

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www.fomana.co.nz

04. Terra MadreIndigenous voices opened the bi-ennial Slow Food association conference in style.

16. Potato CulturesAncient links between Peru and Mäori are being re-forged as Aymara-Quechua growers combat climate change.

22. Dr Zahi Hawass Egypt's new Minister of Antiquities steps up efforts to protect the ancient culture of the Pharoahs.

32. Off The HookNgäti Porou Fisheries CEO, Mark Ngata, is at the epicentre of the tribes exponential growth in the fisheries sector.

REGULARS08. Egypt's Rising Sun12. Mining Our Intellect 26. Caveat Emptor 28. Young, Gifted & Brown30. A Gift for Healing 38. Spotlight on Politics40. Investing in R & D44. Mull on This

CONTENTSFEATURES

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Ka hinga atu he tete kura, ara mai he tete kura. Tihei Mauriora and welcome to the first edition of Koha Magazine for 2011. With the turbulent financial seas of 2010 safely tucked away in the back of our minds, for many NZ businesses, this year is set to usher in a spirit of transformation. As we say in the Mäori world, as one fern frond dies-one is born to take its place. But as we have all seen, the current of change has also brought new challenges.

With a series of traumatic events setting the tone for this year–from the Pike River mining tragedy to the recent Christchurch quake that has claimed some 145 plus lives—even the most stalwart optimists among us could easily consider that the year ahead is off to a disastrous start. Indeed, the momentum of suffering inflicted on our communities has been undeniably potent and all pervading for many and business confidence in the south has reached a low ebb.

Sadly, our cousins in Northern Africa and the Middle East have not escaped the harbinger of universal law for what comes around, also goes around. The stench of chaos is in the air signaling an end of an era—a period of economic transition that has left Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and other MENA countries exposed to the vulnerable face of the global economy. Capitalism, for all its high net worth, remains a shadowy ladder for most of the Middle East’s poor and as each of these countries look to their future, the beyond seems as illusive as ever.

But from the darkness, emerges the light. And it’s this theme that our latest issue of KOHA turns its attention too. Out of the watery abyss of scandal, mayhem and Hone Harawira’s impetuous departure from the Mäori Party, we can be quickly reminded that there is still hope. Our cover feature highlights the work of Egypt’s Dr. Zahi Hawass whose battle to save Egypt's antiquities has become a beacon for the country’s emerging Nationhood. We also look at Egypt's Cleantech revolution and consider how NZ could leverage off this work. We showcase the inspiring and insightful story of Mäori potato growers who are teaming up with Quechua-Aymara communities to reclaim indigenous knowledge. And we also discover that dreamkeepers like Karen Brunton of Haumanu Natural Products and eco-warrior Rueben Porter still walk among us bringing good to the lives of local communities around the country.

Welcome to 2011. May we all take heed to the lessons before us in a year that brings both endings and new beginnings. Tu Hawaiiki.

Come to the edge.

www.KOHA.biz

C O M M E N TMERE TAKOKO

EDITOR

Terra Madre Food with Culture

By Michelle Hudson

The Slow Food association advocates the concept of neo-gastronomy – recognition of the strong connections between plate, planet, people and culture.

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Representatives from Taitokerau Hua Parakore (Organic) Producers (TOPIS), Ngäti Hine Health Trust and Te Waka Kai Ora were amongst the more than 6,400 participants from 161 countries.

Over 100 workshops held over the 3 days include sesions led by indigenous peoples on topics from new food certification models to agrobiodiversity and food sovereignty.

Terra Madre is the one of the largest world meetings in Italy. Hosted by the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Turin, Italy every two years, it is held simultaneously with the Salone Del Gusto food expo. Slow Food's international exposition of good, clean and fair food draws over 150,000 visitors. Small-scale food producers from all over the world travel to the event to share their excellent foods, allowing visitors to discover and taste Slow Food Presidia products and cuisines.

The delegation from Aotearoa was invited to talk about Hua Parakore (Mäori organic certification), Native Trade & womens rights. The main message imparted was ensuring Te Reo, traditional knowledge, tikanga and taonga are retained thus ensuring a supply of healthly kai for our whänau, häpu and iwi.

Other Indigenous delegates also talked about building an appreciation for native perspectives in order to have solutions that the western world is looking for when drafting policies and documents regarding the healing of papatüänuku and sustainable land use.

Five powerful indigneous speakers representing continents and hemispheres, opened the plenary session. Malebo Mancha Maze from the Gamo farmers’ community in Ethiopia, made a striking start, dressed in red robes and scattering grass from his mountains as a blessing. “Food is life and food is us,” he said in Gamo. “If we keep food in our hands then life will be ensured.”

Representing the Americas was Adolfo Timótio Verá Mirim from the Juçara Palm Heart Presidium in Brazil, who spoke in his native Guaraní about the nightmare of colonization, which devastated the Guaraní population. He described the disappearance of many indigenous cultures in South America during the colonization process as genocide. “We respect nature,” he said. “Our land is sick. Nature is being exploited in a unsustainable way. Indigenous people are the true sons of the earth, the earth’s custodians. Our differences must be respected. All countries must sign the treaties protecting our rights, and also set up laws to protect these rights.”

He also called on nations to support the declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples, the ILO conventions and conventions on biodiversity.

From the Russian Far East came Albina Morilova, of the Itelmen (Kamchadal) ethnic group, speaking in Itelmen. She talked about the difficulties of maintaining the Itelmen culture and language, particularly after the decimation of the population when settlers arrived in the

People's Movement - Indigenous Voices opened the Fourth Terra Madre Slow Food biannual gathering of food communities.

Indigenous Voices opened the Fourth Terra Madre Slow Food biannual gathering of food communities, cooks, academics, young people and musicians from around the world. Held in Torino, Italy, Mäori organic growers were among over 150,000 people who attended the three day event. Michelle Hudson reports.

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18th century, bringing with them disease and forced conversion to the Russian Orthodox church. Speaking the Itelmen language was even banned in the 1950s. “It’s a very simple language, expressing traditional concepts about daily life and the natural world,” said Morilova. “Young people aren’t interested in learning it and there are no teachers so it’s not taught in schools. We are worried about the situation of our culture and language. We have to keep protecting them.” Albina said, echoing the concerns of many Native peoples worldwide.

Ol-Johán Sikku, a Sami from the Sápmi region of northern Europe spoke next. “We want to build a future where traditional knowledge can tie together the past and the times to come,” he said. “All indigenous people have similarities,” continued Sikku. “We know we cannot waste the environment on which we live. We are only borrowing anything we take from the earth. We know how to keep the earth clean. Together we can advise and instruct the world on how to take care of nature. Together we have the opportunity and strength to influence the world’s leaders. We no longer have time to wait. Mother Earth needs our collective wisdom and power to make a change.” He invited all indigenous people to come to Sápmi next June for the first Terra Madre Indigenous People gathering.

Finally, Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, an Aborigine from Australia, described in Gamilaraay how she founded the Yaama Dhiyaan Hospitality and Training School, which gives young people training and employment opportunities while sharing Aboriginal knowledge and culture with them. “The young people who come to me are like birds with their wings clipped. Once they graduate, they are proud of their culture,

their knowledge and the leadership that allows them able to control their own destiny and to realize their dreams. We must make sure the resources of the earth are guaranteed for future generations,” she said. “We do not own the land, the land owns us.”

Terra Madre or Slow Food is a global, grassroots organization with supporters in over 150 countries around the world linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to their community and the environment. The movement stands at the crossroads of ecology and gastronomy, ethics and pleasure. It opposes the standardization of taste and culture, and the unrestrained power of the food industry multinationals and industrial agriculture. Te Waka Kai Ora believe that everyone has a fundamental right to the pleasure of good food and consequently the responsibility to protect the heritage of food, tradition and culture that make this pleasure possible.

The Slow Food association advocates the concept of neo-gastronomy - recognition of the strong connections between plate, planet, people and culture.

Now is the Time to reconnect with local food.

Terra Madre Gathering: Over 150,000 visitors attended the three day event.

Clean Food: A non-profit association, Slow Food was founded in 1989 to counter the rise of fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the world.

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There’s a pulse beating under the shifting sands of time that envelope the vastness that is Egypt. It’s the magic that calls out to the millions of people, many from miles across the ocean, who make the long journey to share in its wonder every year. And its summed up in one world; power.

Now, the essence of Egypt’s greatness—the creative energy of the rising sun is being harnessed to make way for a revolution that could spark a genuine transformation in power. The Clean Tech era has arrived.

Clean Tech projects set to transform energy sector

By Mere Takoko

EGYPTS RISING SUN

As pro-democracy demonstrations continued into their second week, Egypt’s stock market plummeted by 16.0 percent leaving the market’s year-to-date losses at over 25%, and further weakening confidence among already rattled investors.

With oil prices peaking at US$103 a barrel on January 28th, the highest since September 2008, U.S. traders watched nervously, recognising that a 10 percent rise in oil prices could cost the American economy more a billion dollars and up to 270,000 jobs.

Closer to home, the news did not bode well for Egypt’s international credit rating.

Banks were forced to shut their doors causing Moody’s Investors Service to downgrade it’s ratings for five Egyptian banks while Standard & Poor’s lowered its rating for two. Raising concerns that included a possible liquidity squeeze and rising inflation, the effects were also felt in other MENA countries with some experiencing a 5% dip in stock markets.

For other investors, Egypt’s economic woes threatened what for many is the epicentre of a silent transformation that has been gaining momentum over the past decade—the country’s aggressive push to develop it’s vast renewable energy potential.

Few people are aware that in the midst of Egypt’s struggle to cope with domestic economic problems, from state corruption and a top-heavy bureaucracy to high unemployment and rising commodity prices, a momentous technological revolution has been underway in recent years attracting foreign interests from Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Italy.

That revolution is Clean Tech. Egypt is the first country in the world to tap into the US$5.2bn Clean Technology Fund currently managed by the World Bank. The fund was set up after the ill-fated Copenhagen Climate Change summit last year and thus far, a total lof $1.2 bn Egyptian pounds have been ear marked to support the development of of ambitious wind projects that have attracted both international investors and world-wide attention.

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And the reasons for this interest have been obvious for all. Egypt is the highest-ranking nation in the Middle East for renewable investment potential due to its innovative renewable energy policies—policies set down in the 1980s by former President Mubarak’s administration.

The government established the New & Renewable Energy Authority in 1986 and its current policy aims to generate 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. It has also been offering a range of incentives to investors, including free land and tax credits which, until now, attracted large foreign investment and much needed capital.

Egypt’s solar projects are just as innovative. The Kuraymat solar thermal power station, located 104 miles south of Cairo, is the first commercial solar plant in the Arab world. It features rows of curved mirrors spread over a total of 13 hectares to centralise and capture the heat of the sun. The 150 MW plant was also funded by the World Bank and is the first in a wave of energy developments that former vice chairman of Egypt’s nuclear power authority, Mounir Megahed, says aims to reduce Egypt’s dependence on fossil fuel.

“Our oil resources are very limited…our natural gas resources are more than we have for oil but are still very limited … we don’t have coal,” said Megahed. But it’s not only Egypt’s energy sector that stands to gain. A new study released by US researchers has found that wind turbines could also help to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, particularly during the hotter summer months.

In Egypt, which is particularly vulnerable to climate change, the move toward renewable energy is seen as an essential part of its future energy and food security. As a country considered by many in the industry to be the essential pivot point for economies wishing to transition from fossil fuel dependency to clean and safe energy, Clean Tech analysts are watching nervously as Egypt continues its turbulent path to political change.

FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY

It is no secret that the sustainability of most of Egypt’s key foreign revenue sources—tourism, the Suez Canal, and foreign investment—all hinge on investors’ perception of stability in this nation of 85 million people.

It’s an image that Mubarak and his administration carefully tried to craft for years, often clouding Egypt’s structural economic and demographic challenges. Roughly 40 percent of Egyptians currently live below the poverty line earning less than US$2 per day. Food prices have steadily increased in recent years and with inflation, food security is a crucial issue for Egypt’s growing underclass.

Analysts estimate that food price inflation is currently at an unsustainable 17 percent. Beef, which sold at 40 Egyptian pounds per kilogram (NZ$10.00) a few months ago, now hovers at 64 pounds per kilo—making it a luxury item that most can only afford once a month or less.

For some time the country has been moving toward becoming a second tier emerging market as international pressures for greater integration in the global economy has pushed the state towards more market-friendly policies. But the result of this development path, as many opposition leaders have observed, has been widespread poverty and social unrest.

Before the January 25th revolution began, the Egyptian Organisation for Human Rights (EOHR) urged the government to review privatisation

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"It was set up so that the people could have their customary issues and interests heard. The tribunal can reject those arguments, but it has to hear the people."

Egypt’s soaring population growth means that the country’s food and energy security will remain the central issue for economic policy makers.

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policies that “helped impoverish people.” This includes the curtailing of social services usually provided to Egypt’s poor.

As early as 1999, analysts warned that the widening gap between the “haves” and the “have nots” in Egypt would set off a vicious economic cycle that could continue to funnel the country’s wealth almost entirely to a politically connected elite.

“Issues of democratization, human rights and more equitable sharing of resources should not be sacrificed for the sake of securing a “quiet” economic transition, or maintaining the myth of stability,” said political commentator Fareed Ezz-Edine.

For many, the question of what development path is best for Egypt going into the future is part and parcel of the formula for ensuring the success of the Clean Tech industry. And that means breaking down existing energy monopolies as well as maintaining energy prices that are low cost and accessible to ordinary Egyptians.

THE PIVOT OF CLEAN TECH

Egypt’s ongoing susceptibility to the vagaries of it’s economic transition is expected to continue through much of 2011, denting the interest of international companies who have invested over US$100bn over the past 7 years alone.

As financial markets remain unsettled, the renewable energy industry is bracing for the prospect that continued unrest and a slow economic recovery could have a lingering impact on the future of solar and wind projects. Analysts have not only expressed concerns that short term market volatility will hamper the progress of existing projects, but it’s current rating as the regions preferred centre for Clean Tech investment.

Some companies now fear a lasting investment drought, stalling growth and hurting job creation in the sector. As western investors continue to scramble for the nearest exit, the likelihood of capital outflows could be devastating to the fledgling industry which was expected to contribute to sustained economic growth for a country that has to cater for the 650,000 new entrants that enter Egypt’s Labour market every year.

The recent economic and political developments are also affecting Egypt’s debt which is likely to worsen as the country is faced with heavy costs associated with reforms—namely more subsidies—and this could continue to spread throughout the MENA region, leading to an underperformance of local currency debt and equity markets.

But amidst the turbulent waters of Egypt’s expected recession, officials based at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry say they remain optimistic.

Who Will Feed Egypt? Over 40 per cent of Egytians earn less than US$2 per day and depend on subsidies for basic foods such as bread.

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In the face of investor anxieties from European and U.S. based companies, Saudi Arabian and U.A.E companies, are planning to “stay put” and could even increase investment into the sector should their non-Arab counterparts forfeit their commitments.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry confirmed that the government was in talks with a number of Abu Dhabi energy groups who were still planning to embark on bilateral agricultural and energy investment projects which have been in the pipeline for some months now.

While Saudi investment in the country total over US $10 billion, U.A.E investments represent US $4.1 billion and have been growing steadily for the past 5 years.“The U.A.E. is well aware of the investment value in Egypt and the political and economic dimension of relations with Egypt, which are historical,” said the Secretary Generation of the Egyptian Business Council in Dubai, Khaled Arafa.

With an emphasis on building a strategic Egypt-U.A.E and Egypt-Saudi Arabia alliances, finding energy solutions that cater for the needs of ordinary Egyptians could also see a revolution in current price structures for Egypt’s renewable energy generation. The Government believes it is likely to negotiate investment agreements with neighbour countries that bolster efforts to protect Egyptians against crippling export bans, record-high commodity prices, potential food shortages and global peaks in oil through its continued focus on reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

EGYPTS RENEWABLE AGE

Despite Egypt’s seemingly endless economic woes, its strategic location at the cross roads of the Middle East and North Africa and control of

the Suez Canal, means that it will continue to be the “pivot point” in the regions efforts to move MENA economies toward enhanced energy security.

But with its future prosperity hanging in the balance during a period of world history where rising food and energy prices are the norm, impending economic reforms will have to find innovative ways to protect its unemployed and impoverished citizens from being even more exposed.

For now, international Clean Tech economists and investors can do little but watch on and monitor how Egypt will recover economically and hope that a smooth transition in political power will occur that maintains a favourable environment for renewable energy development.

With food and energy subsidies already costing 7% of gross domestic product, the new political forces that come into play will also need to accelerate capital flows into technological innovations in agriculture and energy to cope with its surging population which will number 121 million by 2050.

Government officials said Egypt remains committed its renewable energy policies and that Clean Tech is still a major priority in Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Industry’s brief to secure its future food and energy reserves.

“There is little doubt that renewable energy will play a bigger role in Egypt than it currently does. For us it’s a clear matter of survival and we remain confident that our long-standing investment relationships will not fail,” said Ministry officials.

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“The U.A.E. is well aware of the investment value in Egypt and the political and economic dimensions of relations which are historic."

The Cleantech Opportunity and ImperativeBy Nathan Agent

Photograph by Iain McGregor

IntellectMining Our

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“While the government forges ahead with plans to exploit our oil and coal reserves, the Chinese are looking instead to mine and promote their intellect.”

A perfect storm of crises is forcing governments to wake up and realise that doing business in the 21st century has to be different.

In the face of a looming decline in oil production, along with energy security fears and price spikes, global financial turmoil and the threat of climate change, the world’s leaders are being challenged to reconsider the way their economies are structured.

We are witnessing the historic dawn of a new global industry – clean technology – a catch-all term used to describe cutting edge, green technologies that are radically cleaning up the way we power our industries, our businesses and our homes. The urgent need for action on climate change is bringing science, innovation and investment together to deliver solutions.

As governments across the world look to re-start the engine of economic development – that stalled so spectacularly in 2008 – there has been an increasing focus on redirecting investment to cleaner technologies. In 2009 the value of this investment hit US$162bn – eclipsing investments in fossil fuels for the second year running. You can be sure that the same will be true for 2010.

The Cleantech boom has investment and business experts such as Ernst and Young and PriceWaterhouseCoopers excitedly declaring that the clean energy economy is one of the great global economic and environmental opportunities of the 21st Century.

Yet, while the rest of the world wakes up to the realities of a carbon-constrained future and seizes the opportunities that this will bring, the government’s Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee, proud flag bearer for the coal and oil industries of yesteryear, seems intent on anchoring New Zealand in the past. As other nations are cashing in on the move to clean up their economies, Gerry’s lacklustre and myopic vision for New Zealand hinges on a fragile reliance of 19th century extractive industries.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Indeed, it could be very different. As a nation, we are a renewable energy powerhouse with an enviable clean, green brand and a resilient ‘can do’ culture. We have a rich history of driving innovation and we have set milestones for the world to follow. If the government genuinely commits to achieving strong, sustained economic prosperity and energy security, then it should embrace this heady cocktail of key ingredients to make New Zealand the ‘masterchef’ of the clean technology world.

Over the last several years, clean technology industries have grown around the world, driven largely by governments which have stepped in to incentivise and deliver the investment, policy and support

frameworks that are critical to helping clean technologies get up and running. There are lessons here that we could learn from and mimic.

A recent PriceWaterhouseCoopers report shows that more than 80 per cent of New Zealand’s CEOs want more government action and leadership, particularly in areas where regulation enables business to tackle climate change.

If we look to those nations that are already cashing in on this shift to a low carbon economy – such as China, the United Kingdom, the United States and South Korea – it is clear that governments which have a blueprint for clean energy investment are achieving the greatest growth. As the old saying goes – you reap what you sow.

For example, the latest member of New Zealand’s Free Trade fraternity, China, has acknowledged that its rapid economic growth has come at a high cost – severe, suffocating pollution, soil degradation and toxic waterways – as well as a huge climate footprint. In doing so, the Chinese have recognised that clean technologies will become the beating heart of the Red Dragon’s future prosperity in a more sustainable way.

This determination to shift to a green economy and build an environmentally friendly society is embodied in the government’s support of research and development, and a commitment to carry these technologies through to commercialisation.

Crucially, while the government forges ahead with plans to exploit our oil and coal reserves, the Chinese are looking instead to mine and promote their intellect and turn this into big business opportunities. It is investing heavily in its universities and nurturing the talent that will form the backbone of a greener way of doing business.

Elsewhere, the United Kingdom, the state of California in the US and South Korea have all been quick to adopt national renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, as well as seeding the market with the lure of feed-in tariffs, carbon reduction targets and other financial incentives. As a result, these countries are assuming leadership positions in the clean energy sector.

In the UK, the government is on the cusp of introducing a green investment bank to increase the cash flow into the low carbon building blocks that will radically change the face of the British economy. The bank would be instrumental in rewiring the nation for a low-carbon future. A similar approach could be used to finance a new low-carbon infrastructure for New Zealand. It could target renewable energy systems and cleaner, more efficient transport networks by creating green investment bonds to access the large pools of capital held by institutional, or ‘Mum and Dad’, investors.

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We got the smarts: New Zealand is uniquely positioned to

take full advantage of the global shift to clean tech thanks

to our wealth of engineering experience, smart ideas and

technical expertise.

To make this change, the government needs to offer clear guidance and policy support for New Zealand businesses to come forward, invest and develop. Simply relying on the market is not enough. It would do well to look and learn from those in New Zealand who are already seizing the initiative, such as the creative and forward thinking minds that have just launched the Clean Technology Centre on the Kapiti Coast. Situated on the outskirts of Otaki, to the north of Wellington, the Centre will be a breeding ground for innovation and cutting edge, clean technologies such as solar, biofuels, waste-to-energy and renewable power generation – all of which have the potential to transform our local, regional and national economies.

The project is an exciting and refreshing venture involving the aspiration of a regional council, emphatically driven by a strong Mäori business

sector which has been forward thinking in adopting and demonstrating sustainable technologies; an agricultural and rural community with farmers keen to support and demonstrate smart agricultural practices; and a growing hub of companies keen to capitalise on being part of a global solution. NASA, the US space agency, is also looking to set up shop in Otaki; such is the potential of the venture.

This further strengthens the belief that New Zealand is uniquely positioned to take full advantage of this global shift, and cash in on our wealth of engineering experience, smart ideas and technical expertise that’s grown in the renewable energy and sustainable agriculture sectors. Put simply, New Zealanders could be at the heart of this energy revolution and, by doing so, enhance our reputation, and do the right thing, by our children and the planet.

The bottom line is that politicians need to show vision, not vertigo, when it comes to taking bold decisions on how to handle our future prosperity. We have an imperative to join the global efforts to tackle climate change, as well as steer our economy through these volatile times. With clean technologies we can do both.

As Jiang Yaoping, China’s vice minister of commerce recently said: “The low-carbon economy is definitely the future.”

when it comes to taking bold decisions on how to handle our future prosperity. We have an imperative to join the global efforts to tackle climate change, as well as steer our economy through these volatile times. With clean technologies we can do both.

As Jiang Yaoping, China’s vice minister of commerce recently said: "The low-carbon economy is definitely the future."

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POTATO CULTURES

Jagged cliffs of rock rise up between the snow and ice. Years of being covered by the glacier have left it barren and lifeless. This is Yanamarey. In the past ten years its ice caps have retreated about 200m. In a few years, like many other glaciers in Peru, it will have almost completely vanished. At about 5000m (26,000ft) above sea level, it is one of the glaciers worst affected by climate change in Peru. And Peru, in turn, is one of the countries worst affected by climate change in the world.

Sitting between the tropics where the heat of the sun is particularly fierce, Peru hosts

more tropical glaciers than anywhere else, making it particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures. In fact, experts predict that most Peruvian glaciers below 5,500m will disappear by 2015. This is the majority of Peru’s glaciers. According to the Tyndall Centre on Climate Change in the UK, this South American nation is the world’s third most affected country by climate hazards after Honduras and Bangladesh.

One of the main reasons Peru is so vulnerable to climate change has to do with water. The majority of its population lives on a narrow strip of land between the Andes and the

sea. The people who live there receive their water from the mountains. Melting glaciers also provide water for hydroelectricity, industry and farming. Farmers say warmer temperatures and unusual cold snaps during the growing season are affecting the mainstay of local subsistence: the potato; a crop which has been grown by local communities for millennia.

Quechuan agronomist, Alejandro Argumedo, believes climate change not only threatens farmers but Peru’s whole native culture: “Potato is not just a food. Potato is also spirituality; it’s culture,” he says.

Ancient Peruvian Knowledge

Solution to Climate Change?

Photographs courtesy of Maori Television Service

By Mere Takoko

Ancient links between Peru and Aotearoa are being reforged as potato growers unite to find ways to preserve traditional indigenous knowledge and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

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Along the frigid spine of the Andes, farmers have cultivated potatoes and other tuber plants for at least 8000 years and the area is considered as “the centre of origin” of the potato. Over 1200 varieties of the world’s 4000 known varieties of potato or “papa” are still grown by indigenous Aymara and Quechua villagers. Respect for these gifts of Pacamama (mother earth) is so profound that there are songs, dances and ceremonies celebrating the crop. But rising temperatures are opening the door to disease and farmers are being forced to abandon traditional family plots to move to higher altitudes where it is colder.

Argumedo says it was only natural for indigenous growers to come together to set up a potato gene bank to preserve the diversity of potato varieties. The ‘Parque de la Papa’ (Potato Park) is a unique indigenous-run

conservation project. It involves an association of six Quechua villages who have agreed to bring together 8,661 hectares of land to revitalise traditional agriculture practices to preserve food and agro-ecological systems for future generations. High in the Peruvian Andes, these communities hope to combat the impacts of climate change by reclaiming traditional knowledge.

Throughout history, Peruvian farmers have nurtured thousands of potato varieties by adaption to variations in weather caused by events such as El Nino, says Argumedo. “They had to adapt their crops to those conditions. So the diversity of the crops they created is a response to the chaos of the system.”

The potato is the world’s fourth most important food crop, which is why scientists from the Lima-based International Potato Center (CIP) are working with the villagers to help replenish their seed stock. The centre maintains the world’s largest bank of potato germplasm, including 3,800 traditional Andean varieties. As co-founder of Parque de la Papa and Director of the Quechua-Aymara Association for Sustainable Livelihoods, Argumedo was involved with brokering

“The origin of the potato is in the Andes. While the link and journey between the kümara and South America is well known and proven, the story of the potato is not.”

an agreement with CIP that led to potato varieties which had been lost in the last few decades being repatriated by indigenous communities.

“The agreement recognises indigenous knowledge and pays tribute to the Aymara and Quechua farmers who cultivated and preserved almost 4,000 varieties of potatoes,” says Argumedo.

In 2009, which was declared the International Year of the Potato, scientists analysed the DNA markers of 261 wild and 98 cultivated varieties. Through these markers they were able to trace the potato to a single wild progenitor found in the Cuzco region of the Peruvian Andes. That’s motivated Mäori potato expert and soil science specialist, Dr Nick Roskruge, to travel to Peru to work with scientists from CIP to compare the DNA of taewa to those deposited at the seed bank.

Roskruge, who is a senior lecturer for Massey University’s Institute of Natural Resources, hopes the fingerprint DNA of taewa will validate the connection between taewa and South America. By comparing the fingerprint of taewa to the DNA markers of varieties held by CIP, scientists will be able to show

“Potato is not just a food. Potato is also spirituality, its culture,” says Argumedo.

Godly Food: Over 1200 varieties of potato are grown in

Parque de la Papa, a unique potato preservation project.

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whether there is a whakapapa or geneological connection.

“The origin of the potato is in the Andes. While the link and journey between the kümara and South America is well known and proven, the story of the potato is not.”

For the past two years Roskruge has worked with CIPs germplasm bank. By spending time with both scientists at the centre and indigenous communities, he hopes to nurture relationships between Peruvian and Mäori potato growers to share knowledge. He also says he plans to compare oral history to investigate the whakapapa of Mäori potatoes to the Andes.

“Validation using a molecular approach through DNA is fine, within the indigenous community another layer of validation comes from stories. Comparing the knowledge of indigenous communities in the Andes to Mäori stories and knowledge helps increase the understanding of the relationship and journey of the potato over time.”

Roskruge is also the chairman of Tahuri Whenua, the national Mäori vegetable growers collective and has helped to organise a number of delegations of Mäori growers to join him in Peru to talk with indigenous communities about the link between South America and Mäori potatoes.

“In time there is the potential to develop a reciprocal exchange to New Zealand,” he says.

The Mäori growers’ delegation will visit Parque de la Papa and meet with the potato growers. While the focus of the trip is not commercial, he says he is open to exploring how Mäori growers could evolve opportunities to exchange knowledge with the potato park.

“The work that Alejandro Argumedo and the communities there are doing is really progressive. They have a very deep culture centred around the potato so we will definitely look at how we can come together.”

Argumedo is equally optimistic about the potential for Mäori and Peruvian potato growers to come together. The long time

campaigner for indigenous peoples’ rights is also actively involved in protecting indigenous knowledge and genetic resources. This is an area he says in which he hopes to work with Mäori.

“As indigenous peoples, by protecting our foods and traditional knowledge we are preserving our way of life,” says Argumedo.

Although the communities of Parque de la Papa oppose the patenting of indigenous knowledge, traditional potatoes with medicinal properties are being produced by the co-operative for local sale and benefit sharing. The area of nutraceuticals is something that is an area that he believes Mäori and Peruvian potato growers could consider together. But it’s the Andean potato heritage that could really offer Mäori the greatest value.

“Since we first began to repatriate our potatoes, our culture has come back. All the elders were happy about that and their life became enriched again,” says Argumedo.

With the prospect of climate change set to change the face of agriculture worldwide, these millennia old knowledge systems could also provide a key to ensuring food security for millions of people around the world. Developed by the distant ancestors of the Aymara and Quechua, Alejandro says it is time for more knowledge sharing to occur between indigenous peoples.

“I think there will be a strong need for unity to face these challenges and I hope we come back together through things we know like the kümara and potato.”

Glacier Recession: Experts predict that many of Peru’s ancient glaciers will disappear by the year 2015 unless serious efforts are made to mitigate the causes of climate change.

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Egypt's Antiquities An Affair of the Heart

By Mere Takoko

Dr. Zahi Hawass

As Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Dr Zahi Hawass has dedicated his life to uncovering the mysteries that have been the source of great fascination and obsession for travellers and writers for centuries.

It’s a demanding life running all aspects of Egypt’s cultural heritage, but it’s also one that has catapulted the archaeologist to cable television sets worldwide.

But filming for BBC, Discovery Channel, National Geographic or the History Channel may be put on hold for now as the larger than life showman steps up efforts to protect Egypt’s Antiquities.

He’s been described as a master of show and tell, and was voted one of

the top 100 influential people on earth by Time Magazine. Some even go

as far to say that Egypt’s Antiquities Chief, Dr Zahi Hawass, is the most

famous Egyptian after King Tutankhamun. That’s largely thanks to his

extraordinary ability to bring ancient Egypt to life.

“I think God gave me a talent to know how to talk about the face of

Egypt. The face of Egypt was explained in the past by foreigners only. No

Egyptians in the field of archaeology used to promote Egypt,” says Hawass,

who has spent over 30 years working on every major archaeological site

in Egypt from Alexandria to Abu Simbel.

When he’s not talking in sold-out lecture auditoriums, overseeing a multi-

million dollar administration or holding international press conferences,

the ‘godfather’ of modern-day Egyptology can be found adding to his

considerable body of written works which range from scholarly articles

to children’s books.

The consummate storyteller, Hawass has transformed the way the world

sees Egypt..

Photographs by Kenneth Garrett.

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Dr Zahi Hawass is Egypt's Minister of Antiquities.

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Closer to home he has also been instrumental in training a new generation of Egyptian archaeologists, ushering in fresh perspectives about the culture of the Pharaohs.

Through his contagious and all consuming passion for antiquity, the star of the History Channel’s Chasing Mummies series has also helped to bring about an awareness and appreciation of ancient Egypt among the country’s young people.

Only a decade ago schools in Egypt rarely offered studies in antiquity. Today, schoolchildren are regularly seen visiting the historic sites and temples that dot every cranny of Egypt’s vast landscape.

It’s been a long battle for Hawass who can often be heard lamenting the fact that when he first began his career, Egyptian archaeology was scoffed at by his peers or simply ignored.

But under his steady and determined gaze, Egyptians have largely reconnected with their past due to efforts to educate the public about Egyptology through specialised programs and lectures. And it’s this shift that has seen the country come of age in the aftermath of recent pro-democracy demonstrations that thrust the Arab nation to the brink of civil war.

When Dr Hawass woke up on Saturday morning after protests began, it was if the

Gear UpIt's Time For Business

“I want to make advantage of every opportunity. I always push myself to be fitter, stronger and faster.”

kernel of his life’s work had been destroyed as he faced his biggest upset to date in his efforts to protect Egypt’s antiquities.

As Tahrir Square became the focal point of the political uprising, the Cairo Museum grounds were overrun by a thousand protestors on what has been described as Egyptology’s “Black Friday” – the night the lights almost went out for the nation of 85 million people.

Molotov cocktails were hurled onto the grounds as mobs succeeded in burning out the adjacent National Democratic Party offices. The ensuing chaos provided cover for nine intruders to break into the museum.

Dr Zahi Hawass with Egyptian archaeologists conducting excavations at Bahariya Oasis, in the Western Dessert.

Hawass, who is a Fulbright scholar and holds a PHD from the University of Pennsylvania, has published dozens of scholarly works and has overseen discoveries such as the identification of Queen Hatshepsut and the tombs of workers at Giza. He has also groomed a new generation of Egyptian archaeologists and fostered a greater cultural awareness of ancient history among

Egyptians.

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The men were eventually stopped by concerned citizens, but not before causing serious damage to 70 late period artefacts, including a statue from Tutankhamun’s gallery, and stealing five artifacts.

“My heart is broken and my blood is boiling. I feel that everything I have done in the last nine years has been destroyed in one day,” said Hawass in the aftermath of the looting.

But where there is darkness, there is also light. Ordinary Egyptians stormed into the museum to stop the the majority of the thieves. Even as military tanks and personnel moved in to protect Cairo’s two most

important monuments—the Cairo Museum and the Great Pyramids of Giza—hundreds of citizens had already formed a human chain around the museum.

When Hawass arrived with his military escort on Saturday morning, it was to the drum of a new awakening for the country’s nationhood.

“Egyptians love their cultural heritage. It is the one thing that unites the country at the moment,” said a relieved Hawass as similar reports of antiquities officers, villagers and young Egyptians banding together to protect heritage sites were echoed around the country.

In the aftermath of the uprising, the veteran archaeologist told reporters that he believed efforts to increase cultural awareness and appreciation of Egypt’s antiquity that had inspired ordinary people to risk their lives.

“We’ve tried to Egyptianize Egyptology,” said Hawass, who was promoted to Minister of Antiquities during the crisis. “If you keep the antiquities safe, Egypt is safe."

While such brave actions reflect a huge turning point in how Egypt’s heritage now has pride of place and is at the centre of the nation’s identity, the attack on Egypt’s antiquities are far from being celebrated by the international community.

"My heart is broken and my blood is boiling. I feel that everything I have done in the last nine years has been destroyed in one day."

The Fight for Stolen AntiquityZahi Hawass assesses damage to antiquities sites across Egypt in the wake of recent looting at the Cairo Museum. The Antiquities Chief quickly orders military back up to Egypt’s most important heritage sites. Within minutes of his arrival at the Cairo museum, which was vandalised by nine intruders, the newly appointed Minister of Antiquities was on the phone with his staff around the country. Military guards soon secured sites throughout the country.

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Foreign Egyptologists and institutions looked on in horror as news reports revealed five artefacts had been stolen and the Cairo Museum building had been damaged. The rumour mill was enough for some of Hawass’s strongest critics to accuse Egypt of being unable to take care of its treasures.

The British Museum, which hosts the Rosetta Stone, said it “deplores the reported thefts and destruction which have taken place.” In Berlin, tongues were also set wagging as the city’s Mayor reiterated that the bust of Queen Nefertiti, which is held at the Berlin Museum, would not leave Germany.

Such comments do not bode well for Hawass who, just days prior to Egypt’s uprising, had made global headlines demanding the return of both the Rosetta Stone and Queen Nefertiti’s bust.

And it’s not just Egypt’s repatriation efforts that have been delivered a devastating blow.

Egypt’s cultural heritage sector is the country’s top foreign revenue earner and brings in precious tourist dollars, creating thousands of local jobs. It’s vital not only for the country's economy, but also to pay for Egypt’s monument restoration and

conservation projects which are currently under development.

The Grand Egyptian Museum for instance, which will be built in 2013 and will host all the 4,500 artefacts in the Cairo Museum including objects belonging to King Tutankhamun, has a huge price tag — a whopping US$550mn — making it the most expensive museum project to date. All told, a total of 19 Museums are either under or will soon commence construction in order to house Egypt’s wealth of cultural artefacts.

“Egypt will lose billions and billions of dollars, and for Egypt to recuperate this money, it will take at least three years,” said Hawass after over a million tourists fled Egypt as protests intensified.

“I went to see the Sphinx earlier today, and I felt in my heart that he was sad. I looked carefully into his eyes, and imagined that I saw tears.”

As the dusts of discontent finally begin to clear in Egypt, the future for the country’s cultural heritage empire remains cloudy and unpredictable. What is certain is that the

Minister of Antiquities and his team of world-class archaeologists and conservationists will face a new set of pressures in their work to protect Egypt’s antiquities, including increased demands for higher wages from cultural heritage workers who recently organised protests in the wake of the huge financial turmoil caused by the collapse in tourism.

“If we don’t act now, I believe that the monuments of Egypt will be completely deteriorated in 100 years if we do not protect them,” warns Hawass, who has led major restoration projects for the Great Sphinx, the Serapeum and the Step Pyramid at Saqqara, and is currently working on efforts to conserve royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Queens.

With tourism continuing to wane, there are real fears that some conservation projects may need to be placed on hold. And that news is not good for the other culturally rich countries that have been cooperating with Egypt to strengthen their domestic cultural heritage sectors.

With his arsenal of tools, including his celebrity and access to international media, countries like Peru and Greece have looked

Repatriation Efforts in Doubt?In April of 2010, the Supreme Council of Antiquities (now absorbed by Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities) hosted an international gathering to foster international cooperation to repatriate cultural artifacts. Representatives from 22 countries attended the meeting, highlighting the extent of global efforts to combat the illicit trade in artefacts and to pressure Western museums to return hundreds of stolen artefacts to their home Nations. Dr Hawass has personally negotiated the return of hundreds of artifacts to Egypt and elsewhere.

"Many people think that the best moment in the life of an archaeologist is to actually discover

something but for me the best thing is to return something to Egypt."

Bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin, Germany.The bust of Queen Nefertiti is currently held by the Berlin Museum in Germany. Taken illegally from Egypt, it is at the top of Egypts "wish list" of antiquities that it wants back. But recent protests in Tahrir Square have been met with heavy criticism from the Mayor of Berlin who recently told media that Germany would not be returning the Queen back to her homeland. Dr Hawass and his team of archaeologists and conservationalists had hoped to see the bust return for the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza in 2013.

Rosetta Stone, London, England.Until recently, Egyptology was largely captured by the works of European and American scholars a legacy that dates to one of the disciplines most important achievements, the translation of the Egyptian language by Jean-Francois Champollion using the Rosetta Stone. The representation of ancient Egyptians was dominated by European intellectuals until the early 1950s when the Egyptian Ministry of Culture was established and the country finally regained complete control of all of its ancient sites.

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towards Hawass to spearhead a global campaign to stop the illicit trade in antiquities and to repatriate stolen artefacts.

Since his appointment in 2002, the Supreme Council of Antiquities Chief has overseen the return over five thousand artefacts and Hawass has personally brokered the return of hundreds of objects belonging to other countries.

“Many people think that the best moment in the life of an archaeologist is to actually discover something but for me the best thing is to return something to Egypt.”

With his recent appointment to Cabinet, time will tell if Hawass can recapture the momentum needed to achieve his goal: the repatriation of stolen artefacts to Egypt.

“I always say that when someone goes and steals something from a tomb, he does

not only damage my history, but his history because Egyptian monuments belong to everyone all over the world,” says Hawass.

With Egypt’s embattled economy showing no sign of a quick recovery, the interests of the international heritage community may have to take a backseat as Egypt’s new Minister of Antiquities is forced to focus on affairs closer to home. The 63-year-old remains resolute.

“I think there is an awareness now among people about the benefit of returning stolen artefacts. I feel the whole world will support us in returning these artefacts to Egypt and other countries,” says Hawass.

“Sometimes when I make an announcement people think this is a dream and can’t happen, but I always make my dreams come true.”

’Egyptians love their cultural heritage. It is the one thing that unites the country at the moment, says Hawass, who has brought a

critical time perspective to current threats to Egypt’s heritage sites – including mass tourism, climate related erosion, pollution and

a rising water table caused by the encroachment of agricultural lands.

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C A V E A T E M P T O R :A Cautionary Tale from Hawaii By Kat Brady

There is a beautiful archipelago in the North Pacific where waves kiss the shore and palm trees sway … while overhead the prison privateers circle like buzzards. Anti-prison campaigner, Kat Brady, discusses the inherent contradictions of the trafficking of native Hawaiian prisoners to mainland U.S.A.

It was 1995 and Hawai`i was sweating because the federal government was threatening to take over their shamefully overcrowded prison system. In desperation, the Legislature approved the transfer of some prisoners to a non-state facility as a ‘temporary fix’ to overcrowding. The first human trafficking took place during the Christmas holiday of 1995 when three hundred men were whisked out of Hawai`i in the middle of the night to a private prison in Texas.

This trafficking of humans by Hawai`i to private corporations on the U.S. continent has increased almost sevenfold since the first contract was executed. Today Hawai`i has exiled almost 2,000 men to Saguaro and Red Rock, two private prisons owned and operated by Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) in Eloy, Arizona.

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The data on private prisons, primarily medium custody facilities, show that they have 49% more assaults on staff and 65% more inmate-on-inmate assaults than public prisons. They have been found to have higher levels of escapes, disturbances, and drug use. At several of the private prisons housing Hawai`i individuals (the majority of whom are classified as community and minimum custody), drug counsellors and other staff were fired for selling crystal methamphetamine and for sexual assault.

Private prison staff have 35% fewer training hours than public prison staff and they have a turnover rate in excess of 52% while public prisons have a 16% turnover rate. Not surprisingly, they have higher levels of operational problems and a comparative lack of inmate programs, such as educational, vocational and counselling programs, which lead to inmate idleness and a lack of preparation for re-entry.

Hawai`i can attest to the lack of programming, since we contracted for many courses that either never started or were never completed. The inferior medical care and the lack of professionalism of the administration and staff at most private prisons that have housed Hawai`i individuals

“We need a sustainable business strategy in order for Mäori Television to survive and thrive into the future.”

has been shocking. Rehabilitation is not a priority for these corporations: profit is. In fact, the warden of Saguaro prison has been reported as saying, “My job is to make money for the corporation.”

And these corporations have spent millions lobbying to defeat bills that call for transparency and accountability. CCA alone has spent millions of dollars over the years lobbying both federal and state governments to increase their market share.

Only after entering the private prison web, will governments discover how difficult it is to extract themselves when the ‘free market’ has seemingly unlimited funds to spend on lobbying to expand its interests.

Let Hawai`i’s ‘temporary fix’ to our overcrowding problem be instructive. Our ‘temporary fix’ is now a full blown addiction that may have inadvertently enhanced the growth of gang activity in prison,

returned more hardened individuals to our communities, and increased youth gang activity on our streets.

Don’t hand over your core government functions to the corporate sector. Even if the government contracts out their responsibility, liability for constitutional violations in private prisons cannot be waived through contracting.

Instead, enact smart Justice policies that will directly address the problem at hand and fund culturally competent community-based programs to prevent crime, restorative justice programs to heal from the impacts of crime, and a comprehensive re-entry system to address the needs of those working towards successful re-entry after being convicted of a crime.

Caveat emptor, Aotearoa!

Kat Brady is the Coordinator of the grassroots initiative, Community Alliance

on Prisons that has been promoting smart justice policies for Hawai`i for more

than a decade. She can be reached at kat.caphi@gmail.com

Native Hawaiians provide a cautionary tale for Mäori currently looking to invest in New Zealand’s penal system.

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A new low-cost sustainable housing initiative in Ahipara brought together local häpu with the engineering department of the University of Auckland. The result--an innovative and low cost

eco-home that could soon be replicated throughout the country.

YOUNGGIFTED & BROWNRueben Porter

The year 1841 heralded the dawn of a new era when a French missionary from the Society of Mary, Philippe Joseph Viard, made the journey to Aotearoa to establish a stronghold for the Marists in the Taitokerau. At that time over 30,000 local Mäori had already converted to Christianity making the area an ideal site from which to spread the Catholic faith throughout the Western Pacific.

With few assets or materials, Viard erected a church and house from rammed earth in Kororareka and called it the Pompallier House. It is one of the earliest French colonial buildings to survive in New Zealand and is still a major attraction today some 171 years later. It is also a source of inspiration for a new and innovative local housing project in Ahipara, some 152 kms away.

Rueben Porter and his wife Heeni Hoterene are in the final stages of construction of a papakäinga made from similar techniques to the rammed earth employed at Pompallier House. The couple’s long-standing commitment to sustainability has seen them support a number of local projects from organic gardening to celestial navigation.

Porter, who is the chairman of Te Taitokerau Organic Producers Society, says their latest project is all part of encouraging local people to use land sustainably to ensure the land, the sea and the people are healthy and prosperous for the next 20 generations.

Situated under the local tribal mountain, Rangituhituhi, organic gardens and orchards provide an idyllic backdrop for the home, which integrates environmental design with Mäori cultural sensibilities. The site, which is famed for its plentiful fishing grounds and world-class surf breaks, was also the first place in the world to fly the Tino Rangitiratanga flag in the 1980s.

“We chose to build here because it’s about sending a message to other young Mäori that we need to do more than just talk about sustainability and self-determination. We need more input into creating the kind of future that really reflects our aspirations,” says Porter.

Built in conjunction with Auckland University engineering department and local hapu from Ahipara, the project has created interest throughout the country.

“The benefits of this type of building is that it marries our traditional values of nurturing the land and the environment with the tools of the päkehä world,” adds Porter.

It doesn’t hurt either that it is affordable, organic and easy to maintain he says. When the building is completed later this year, Reuben and his wife will be debt free.

“We haven’t used large sums of money or access to materials needed to build a conventional house. We can’t afford a large mortgage nor do we want one.”

KOHA magazine recently spoke with Porter about the project and his views on how to rebuild a culture of sustainability among young Mäori families throughout the country.

“Its about sending a message to other young Mäori that we need to do more than just talk about sustainability and self-determination.”

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For more information visit www.maorifood.com

Why was it so important for you to focus on tikanga Mäori?

Our ancestors gave us so many valuable tools to nurture our lives to improve our quality of life. They achieved a sustainable culture by adapting to their ever-changing environment and staying in balance with those changes. In those days, this land was plentiful and it was pristine. For us, a sustainable lifestyle is exactly that. Our ancestors were deeply concerned with how to live in harmony with the environment and over the course of thousands of years, they adopted systems that were the most sustainable. A system that we have used as our guide incorporates the precepts of Mana Whenua, Mana Tängata and Mana Atua.

What are the underlying principles that have guided your design process?

The principles of guardianship and caring for others have been key drivers. It’s about keeping a balance between the land, the people and the spiritual environment. All of these elements were considered as a whole. Often people approach land utilisation from the perspective of how one creates economic profit or savings. But our first consideration was the environmental impacts of our building materials with a view to how they would impact on the next

generation. So naturally, we sourced organic materials locally and worked with Auckland University’s best engineers to ensure that they would be able to last for 200 years or more.

So this is literally a grass roots häpu initiative?

Yes. We are great advocates of local community development, as opposed to regional or national. We made it our key focus to support each other and our local häpu; families and individuals came together in a spirit of unity to bring goodness to the project. It was important that this balance, this good spirit is maintained because it’s vital for the health of a family. We achieved this by holding a wänanga or learning session on Matariki and watched the star pathways move across the night sky. There is spiritual power in our knowledge that we tried to capture and this essence has been incorporated into the design of the home.

How do you hope the project will influence other young Mäori families?

If we can inspire other young Mäori families to follow the path that our tüpuna and elders left us then that is a great reward. As young Mäori we need to have more input into the kind of future we want. We need to ask the simple question of what we want our communities to look like in five or even 100 years. Heeni and I, with the help of our community, have developed a model for low cost housing unaided by government or beneficiary assistance. We didn’t have large sums of money and we can’t afford a mortgage nor do we want one. It’s really important to us that we are able to stand independently and I think a lot of young families can relate to that.

“The principles of guardianship and caring for others have been key drivers. It is about keeping a balance between the land, the people and the spiritual environment," says Rueben Porter.

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A GIFT FOR Hea l ing

Traditional Mäori medicinal

knowledge is capturing

the attention of natural

health practitioners world-

wide. Now, thanks to an

innovative approach to

manufacturing medicine

with a touch of culture,

Karen Brunton of Haumanu

Natural Products is bringing

a spiritual dimension to

the business of healing.

Maori Business set to restore health

Photos courtesy of Karen Brunton

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As a memory keeper, a family secret drives Karen Brunton’s latest venture Haumanu Natural Products. And it all started with a dream – a dream that spoke to Karen about how to use native plants to combat the symptoms of heart disease, diabetes and skin ailments.

“The secret ingredient that I use in a lot of my products came to me in my sleep. I use it in my sports product, and head lice products. Every time I went to bed this plant would appear,” explains Karen who is a practitioner of both traditional Mäori medicine and weaving.

At that time, the Taupo based entrepreneur was working at a local health and massage business in town, where a lot of families were coming with children suffering from severe cases of eczema. After seeing that cortisone based products had minimal success, she set out to weave her talents as a healer to come up with a more effective cure.

“I saw a need for a chemical free product for children’s eczema so I decided to develop my own remedy. The first product was kawakawa salve which became so popular with both kids and adults that I decided to set up a company to market and distribute it,” says Karen.

But while some may lift an eyebrow or two at her unorthodox approach, she remains

casually emphatic in explaining that her “spiritual gifts” are part of a long heritage enjoyed by her family.

“I come from a long line of females on my mum’s side who used traditional plants to heal our people along the Whanganui River. I’ve also attended all of Rob McGowan’s courses on native plants and spending time in the nghere which is organised through the Waikato University but my inspiration comes from a genuine passion to help others.”

Established a few short years ago, in 2008, Haumanu Natural Products has found a niche among professional sports people, particularly endurance athletes who have religiously adopted Haumanu’s sports salve to reduce chafing during events and also an excellent chamios cream for cyclists. Members of the Calder/Stewart cycle team used the salve during the Southland Cycle Tour in November 2010. Cyclist Hayden Roulston, and Greg Henderson were part of this cycle team who have both represented New Zealand at Olympic and Commonwealth games.

But it’s not only Haumanu’s use of native plants and other chemical free ingredients that are capturing the attention of customers. In staying true to the arts of traditional Mäori medicine, Karen also imbues healing energy into her manufacturing process through karakia (prayer) and ceremonies that give

Karen Brunton (Right) and Ikaroa-Rawhiti MP, Parekura Horomia, who competed in the recent Iron Maori triathlon held in Napier.

"Haumanu means to restore health and that means restoring our traditional healing arts."

thanks to the deities of the Mäori spirit world.

“Our products are unique in that we incorporate traditional healing practices into the way our products are made. Whenever you use Mäori medicine, you must clear yourself of negative thoughts, anxiety and tiredness,” she says.

All ingredients are also hand picked from tribal forests by Karen and her husband. Harvesting in this traditional manner is important to Karen who is deeply concerned with the ongoing loss of Mäori medicinal arts.

“We need to make and use our rongoa and then the knowledge is not lost. I believe that by sharing our practices with others, we will have a better chance of ensuring our traditions survive,” she says.

With future plans to market her range of balms, lotions and salves to mainstream, Karen currently distributes products online and through selected health stores in the Taupo area. The entrepreneur also has her eye on export markets and is working with Te Puni Kokiri’s business assistance program to expand her company through smarter marketing and a more focused distribution strategy.

Also on the radar is a new sports product made with manuka honey, another Mäori medicine that is growing in popularity worldwide. Use of manuka, says Karen, fits well with her philosophy of sharing the knowledge passed on by her ancestors.

“Haumanu means to restore health and that means restoring our traditional healing arts. These practices have been in my family for generations and by sharing them along with genuine love and healing energy, my products offer something unique.”

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MARK NGATA OF NGATI POROU FISHERIES

By Jasmine Kaa

OFF THE HOOK

When Mark Ngata, the General Manager of Ngāti

Porou Seafoods Group finds a spare moment to take in

the view outside his office window, perhaps he reflects

upon how his life has come full circle. Mark’s office is

based at the Gisborne wharf, where his working life

started. As an 18-year-old Mark worked as a deck hand

on fishing vessels which operated out of Gisborne during

his school holidays. From these humble beginnings

his career has seen him voyage around the world,

before eventually disembarking to where it all began.

Since mid-2006 Mark has been at the helm of commercial fishing operations owned by Ngäti Porou. Under the umbrella of Ngäti Porou Seafoods Group he manages three companies, applying the extensive knowledge he has built up over almost 20 years in the fisheries sector. At the time Mark applied for the position he was based in Christchurch as the operations manager for Ngäi Tahu Fisheries. In that role he managed 300 staff with an annual turnover of $100 million.

So what motivated him to exchange running a mammoth commercial business for a comparatively smaller scaled

operation? His decision he says was based on his desire to return home and contribute to growing the fisheries assets for the future benefit of all Ngäti Porou. “I’ve always loved Gisborne and this region, I didn’t want to leave in the first place but I’m glad I did now otherwise I would not have this opportunity now.”

Mark was born and raised in Gisborne. He is the son of Watarawi Ngata and Frances Mullany who are both from Te Araroa where Mark spent much of his time growing up. After finishing school Mark says he was, “a bit of a loose cannon with no real focus,” and worked in a variety of labouring jobs. It wasn’t until a number of years later that Mark’s career in the fisheries industry really took off. That opportunity came in the early 1990s when Mark was living in a continent half a world away.

As a young man he says it took him a while to find a career he wanted to commit to, but after a short stint working at the Department of Mäori Affairs, he found his calling in the NZ Police force. He served as a police officer in Gisborne for a few years before being based in Auckland. It was during this period he became part of a NZ Police contingent seconded by the United Nations to Namibia to help assist the transition

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of the country from South African rule to Namibian independence in the early 1990s.When his tour of duty finished Mark scored a job working

with the Namibian Rugby Union, and the French Embassy developing rugby amongst the non-white communities.

As Namibia began re-building their economy in the early 1990s the indigenous people of the country also re-gained control and access to their resources. Part of this hand back included the allocation of fisheries quotas and assets. Mark believes interesting parallels can be drawn

from the experience of the Namibian people and Mäori during this period.

“In the 1990s entry for Mäori into the commercial fishing industry was facilitated through the Waitangi Fisheries settlement. Since then developing ways to best manage and grow this resource has been an issue for the indigenous peoples of both countries.”

It was during this period of reconstruction that Mark was shoulder tapped by one of South Africa’s largest fishing companies with factories in South Africa, Namibia, and Angola.

By Melissa Yiannoutsos

“I was asked to take up the opportunity I believe because of my confidence in managing people, leadership skills, work ethic, honesty and integrity.”

Over the next ten years Mark increased his knowledge of all components of the fishing industry by running other commercial operations with an export focus. The inspiration to return to New Zealand came when the factory Mark was managing at the time was asked to process orange roughy for an exploratory joint venture between a South African company and New Zealand company Sealord.

Mark began his working life as a deckhand on one of the many fishing vessels berthed at the Gisborne Wharf. Today he is the General

Manager of Ngäti Porou Seafoods Group. (Photo courtesy Gisborne Herald)

"We are working steadily to grow the assets and increase our participation in the industry. If you look at where we are now in just three years, it's a fantastic achievement."

34 35

Photos courtesy of Kinaki Herbs

“Through making that connection I began to wonder about home and soon felt like it was time to come home. While I was living in Southern Africa there was always this desire at the back of my mind of wanting to return. Especially after my Mum passed away I wanted to be closer to my father, and so our kids, who were all born in Namibia, could meet their whanau.”

Mark eventually returned to New Zealand and applied for jobs with all the major fishing companies. He saw a position as operations manager for Ngäi Tahu Fisheries advertised and after a

conversation with Ta Tipene O’Regan, who was chairman of Sealord at the time, successfully applied for the role.

Three years after taking up the new job Mark had an opportunity to give his expertise back to his own iwi. In 2002 he was asked to become one of the inaugural directors of Ngäti Porou Fisheries Ltd, which was set up in that same year by Te Rünanga o Ngäti Porou to manage and develop its commercial fisheries operations. This asset base expanded significantly in March 2006 when Te Ohu Kai Moana finally allocated Ngäti Porou the initial portion of the

Waitangi Fisheries Settlement worth $27 million. Of this $16.9 million comprised shares in Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd, $10 million in quota shares and $1.9 million in cash. To receive these assets Porou Ariki Trust (PAT), Ngäti Porou’s Mandated Iwi Authority was established. PAT is made up of representatives of Te Rünanga o Ngäti Porou and seven hapü cluster advisory trustees.

Shortly after these developments the opportunity came for Mark to make his way back to Gisborne. In June 2006 he became the second General manager of Ngäti Porou Fisheries and the newly established asset holding company Ngäti Porou Seafoods Ltd. One of Mark’s first tasks was to develop a strategic plan for the business that would see asset growth, sustainable new business initiatives, and profitability. Over time the commercial operations have grown to include a retail/foodservice division branded Real Fresh and Off The Hook. There is also a processing factory which exports fresh chilled fish to Australia.

Under the banner of ‘Ngäti Porou Seafoods Group’ assets have grown to $36m. Together the three companies employ 16 people full time with extra staff taken on during busy periods. Mark says the companies’ achievements over the past couple of years indicate they are on track to progress to the next stage of development.

“We are working steadily to grow the assets and increase our participation in the industry. If you look at where we are now in just three years, it’s a fantastic achievement. We are a strong profitable business and currently we are researching opportunities in a number of areas including aquaculture both in our region and possibly overseas.”

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All staff have the opportunity to obtain NZQA qualifications, and many within the processing and retail divisions have attained higher levels of accreditation. The company also promotes scholarships provided by Te Ohu Kaimoana to encourage more Mäori into the fisheries sector. In the past year Mark has also developed his own skill base by participating in a programme led by Lincoln, Massey and Otago Universities which has a global focus. FAME (Food & Agribusiness Market Experience) offers leaders in the food and agribusiness sectors the opportunity to develop their knowledge of overseas markets and customers’ needs through firsthand experience. Through the programme

Mark travelled with other New Zealand business leaders to visit international markets in Asia, America and Europe. Mark says the benefits of attending the programme were invaluable.

“With FAME you are taken out of the classroom and put into the market place to meet with major players in the business and political worlds of the country you are visiting. From talking to these key people you get a firm view of how their markets operate, and how New Zealand can gain access into these markets.”

Among the regions Mark travelled to was Inner Mongolia, a major sheep breeding and dairy processing country, where their

challenges are producing enough feed for stock, as more land turns to desert from lack of water and over-grazing. Mark also visited Northern Italy, where the world’s largest producer of pasta is based. This area has recently started a marketing drive in the United States, where horticulture is a key industry that uses foreign labourers to grow production and turnover.

Mark believes because New Zealand only supplies less than one per cent of the world’s commercial fish products we need to get specific about what we produce and which markets we are targeting. “But what we have going for us is we have one of the best fish management regimes in the world and by having this

Mark outside Real Fresh & Off The Hook, NPSG’s retail divisions.

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reputation other countries can count on us for the quality of our products.”

From his experience Mark says key markets New Zealand should target are Australia, Asia, and the United States. “I found that Asian people especially love seafood, and if you focus on one region like Shanghai, you have 20 million potential consumers.”

Through participating in FAME Mark says it has confirmed for him that the expansion Ngāti Porou Seafood Group wants to take in the near future is the right decision. “What the world wants right now are quality products that are safe to consume. Our company can assure

international markets of the superior quality of our products and commitment through telling our amazing stories.”

He goes on to explain, “Ngäti Porou always has had a relationship with the sea. We are part of the sea and kaimoana is an important part of our diet and culture. By talking about our connection to the sea and the sustainable methods we carry out to look after this resource, we have a competitive edge in comparison to other companies.”

Mark is looking forward to being a part of the company’s next stage of development. “The fishing industry is a great career to be in and I’m passionate about it. I just can’t

wait to get to work each day and I truly believe as an indigenous fishing business we can make a real difference. There are enormous opportunities for our people in this sector. When I hear people saying we need to ensure we can catch a feed, I say, ‘No, we are here to ensure our children can catch a feed.’ That’s what drives me.”

“What we have going for us is one of the best fish management regimes in the world and by having this reputation other countries can count on us.”

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SPOTLIGHT ON POLITICS:

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After sustained pressure from iwi, hapü, the Green Party, environmental They say 24 hours is a long time in politics, well try 40 days. As I write, it’s been well over a month since Te Ururoa Flavell pressed the nuclear button by launching a formal complaint against his former schoolboy chum and current parliamentary colleague – the human headline that is Hone Harawira.

For weeks, every aspect of the Mäori Party’s internal ructions has dominated media attention. The rift became the focus of Rätana and Waitangi, it knocked the opening of Parliament into news oblivion, the Mäori Television news service Te Kaea went so far as to dedicate the entire general news section of a bulletin to the sorry saga, and the day after the Te Matatini performing arts festival, it was Harawira’s mug on the NZ Herald’s front page – the winners of the kapa haka extravaganza were afforded a measly 30 words in an inconsequential column on page three. And obviously this reporter is also giving oxygen to the drama that has unfolded from ‘that article’ penned by Harawira for a Sunday newspaper – I even aired a story with a former Mäori Party staffer who quit in protest to the pro-National path allegedly adopted by her former employers.

The reason this story dominates is two multipronged. The Taitokerau MP, albeit unwittingly, got the jump on a news cycle recovering from a summer hiatus. His concerns about the continuing love fest between the Mäori Party and National are bleedingly obvious, well reported – at least by Mäori media – and hardly newsworthy. What fanned the flames, however, was the Mäori Party’s aggressive reaction and Harawira’s uncontrollable predisposition towards retaliation, which has literally resulted in tears on national television. Mainstream political pundits, who clearly have problems reconciling Mäori political paradigms with the conventions of a Westminster parliamentary system, have been quick to declare Harawira a goner. But Harawira not only lives another day, he infuriatingly continues to defy his party and an explicit media ban by writing another article rubbishing the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill – a bill his party co-authored.

And it just got worse. A leaked copy of Flavell’s submission to the Mäori Party’s disciplinary committee (the membership of which, quite frankly, looks like a jack-up), is a painful read. Flavell paints a picture of Harawira as a spoilt brat, a climate change denier who ‘spits the dummy’ when things don’t go his way, and is continuously “talking himself up” at the expense of his colleagues. According to Flavell, Harawira wanted to get his own knees under the cabinet table, which seemingly flies in the face of the maverick MP’s criticisms of the

National-led government. Flavell states that his other fellow colleagues “have lost any semblance of trust in Hone and clearly, he in us”. And when Harawira failed to turn up to a second disciplinary hui, Flavell hissed the no-show was ‘disrespectful’ and wants the matter resolved by the Mäori Party’s National Council within the week.

Harawira has enormous support, not just in Te Taitokerau, but nationwide – his is the kind of popularity the likes of Phil Goff can only dream of. But despite the threat of a major public backlash, it’s clear Flavell wants Harawira gone. It’s also clear his long-suffering leaders, who obviously believe in the machinations of the parliamentary system and its associated baubles, have reached the end of their tether. Te Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene isn’t the type to rock the boat, but has also publicly expressed exasperation at the clash of egos – presumably the male ones. We are in an election year, and have yet to hear a single policy or future vision from the Mäori Party beyond hopeful gurglings from Pita Sharples about their ability to survive without Harawira. What a sad sad state of affairs.

Last night I watched a story I did which featured Pem Bird before he became the Mäori Party president. Pem talks with high hopes about how the troubled town of Murupara is turning to tïkanga Mäori and the traditional concept of ‘tatau pounamu’ to form a peace accord between rival gangs. Pem’s argument about why tïkanga Mäori works is absolutely compelling – so I’m somewhat baffled that the political party he now presides over cannot find peace in a manner that’s consistent with kaupapa Mäori. In fact they are committed to getting their money’s worth out of lawyer Mai Chen, for whatever punitive legal advice she is billing them tens of thousands of dollars for. It seems Mäori Party politicians have less diplomacy and willingness to keep the peace than Mäori gangsters.

I don’t think Hone Harawira can survive the Mäori Party’s disciplinary process. What’s ironic is I also don’t think the party can survive without Hone Harawira. He is the Mäori Party’s curse and conscience. As they say in politics, you get what you deserve.

SPOTLIGHT ON POLITICS:

By Tina Wickliffe

This article was written days before Hone Harawira's announcement that he will stand as an independent

MP and will be forming his own political party.

The Harawira Hangover

Curse orConscience?

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Nearly 50% of NZ companies are engaged in innovative activities within their businesses. These activities can range from product and process development through to organisational changes and novel marketing efforts. However, despite this passion for business growth through novel ideas, less than 10% of NZ businesses report active R&D programmes.

Successful innovation is key to a company’s long-term survival and ensures market share and profits, but without a deep R&D programme how can a business possibly develop innovative ideas that stand up in a competitive market? Obviously, NZ businesses understand the value of strong marketing strategies but this is only half the puzzle. Ensuring products and services meet market demand for quality and price is also just as important; where achieving significant business growth relies on exporting we need to be able to differentiate ourselves on multiple levels.

Whilst the benefit of a structured long-term research and development programme within a company is often not appreciated in many NZ companies, we need look no further than our strong primary industry for examples of successful use of the R&D to drive a business’s position. Traditionally considered relatively low tech, NZ has become competitive on a world scale in this market because of investment in science and innovation.

From companies dedicated to breeding superior dairy cattle and unique kiwifruit strains to those investing in moving up the value chain through the diversification of product ranges, NZ’s most successful primary sector companies have invested heavily in R&D in both product development and process technologies.

Internationally companies also use R&D to secure their market position. When the global recession struck in 2007, smart businesses understood the importance of R&D to their long-term viability and did everything they could to maintain their investment in this area. Research and development programmes were of highest importance. Internationals such as Nokia, Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft all ensured their R&D

programmes were maintained with budgets between 10–20% of total sales. The dedication to this budget was made because companies understood that R&D is about ensuring the business is profitable in the next five to ten years and that the current market climate should not affect the long-term strategy.

So why do NZ businesses fail to engage when it comes to R&D? One possible reason is that in order to undertake a worthwhile programme significant planning is required, to ensure the outputs are still relevant when projects are completed. This can be a difficult exercise – a research project in itself.

Using market intelligence to forecast where competitors will be in five years, what technology will be available for license versus that which needs to be developed inhouse and where the company wants to be positioned in the market, are questions that all need to be addressed before research priorities can even be discussed.

These are often difficult tasks for a smaller business to even begin to answer, but are vital to ensure research outputs maximise profits. There is also the daunting task of sourcing quality talent to drive an R&D programme. Sometimes outsourcing rather than developing systems inhouse can save a company significant setup costs and allows some programme flexibility. Understanding the pool of talent available in the contract research market is required to ensure the appropriate choices are made. Quality, focused research and development programmes are vital for NZ business growth and sustainability, but if things go wrong they can deplete business funds rapidly.

Do your homework, plan, consult and outsource where it makes sense to ensure your business can continue to adapt for whatever the future brings. Planning an R&D strategy can be difficult; however, if implemented correctly, it can ensure a company’s position for future growth and global competitiveness.

By Jennifer Anderson

Why it just makes sense

Investing in R&D in 2011

As we leave the turbulent seas of 2010 behind us, what will be the garden gate of New Zealand's business growth? FOMANA Capital considers why having a solid R&D programme will give companies the edge in 2011.

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FOMANA InternationalGlobalisation is advancing New Zealand’s overall productivity and wealth opportunities. We link Mäori to a network of like-minded domestic and international companies to foster trade and export ventures.

FOMANA InvestmentIncreasingly sophisticated Mäori businesses are seeking capital for growth, buying into strategic assets and providing direct investment opportunities. We support Mäori to raise capital through domestic and foreign investment.

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FOMANA InnovationThe rising wealth of developing markets will require New Zealand businesses to imbed science and technology as a competitive advantage. We position Mäori alongside the science and technology sector to build new high growth opportunities and carbon neutral design solutions.

FOMANA DigitalAn increasing demand for Mäori products and services will require innovative and easy to navigate media solutions. We assist to build media channels that foster business growth and the Mäori point of difference

www.fomana.co.nz43

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Mull on ThisBusiness is Beautiful

It is understandable that many New Zealanders feel bewildered, as over the past few years the claws of uncertainty and loss of jobs, investments and life has gripped our South Pacific islands. From a combination of complex systems resulting in natural and man-made disasters a veil of nothingness and darkness is above many households. Households are families and individuals and this should not be forgotten. Many households feel confused and entrapped in a system that is uncaring and harsh. This perpetuates a fear of change.

So what are the natural and man-

made disasters?

New Zealand’s recent natural disasters have been drought, cyclones, flooding and two

extreme cases whereby hundreds of lives were lost in a coalmine and through thousands of earthquakes.

There is however another set of set of disasters also in play. These are albeit man-made are still natural as they reflect humanity and in particular societal values and behaviour. These are systems involving financial and economic dynamics. The natural disasters (earthquake etc) are on the back of a three year economic recession, huge losses and write-downs in excess of $6 billion in the financial sector; rising unemployment; creeping inflation which has continually hovered above the NZ government’s stated target of 1–3%; high levels of private debt, which have seen New Zealanders build ‘paper wealth’ through debt and property.

The OECD has reported for decades that New Zealand is slipping behind its competitors in key international measures, such as but not limited to: household incomes, income generated per employee, productivity, innovation, savings and foreign direct investments of assets in offshore countries. Recently New Zealanders’ received an increase in GST (goods and service tax) from 12.5% to 15% – this has also seen an sharp rise in the cost of food, petrol and other basics necessities – noting the actual price increases faced by New Zealanders is well above the GST (2.5%) increase. If that is not bad enough the past backbone of the New Zealand economy, the primary industry – our world famous exporters of commodities, have witnessed the New Zealand dollar move from .50cents US to around .75+ cents US

In this article, Wayne Mulligan provides an outline of why FOMANA

Capital believes innovation is fundamental to New Zealand and a road

map to achieve a competitive edge.

Photo by Bruce Rolff

By Wayne Mulligan

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www.fomana.co.nz6 7

resulting in many cases to lower returns to New Zealand.

Coupled with the above the New Zealand government has been borrowing in excess of $250 million per week. So we now hear that international rating agencies have placed New Zealand on a high alert watch. This could result in New Zealand – and therefore New Zealanders’ – paying higher interest rates. So it is fair to assume that New Zealand is in its darkest moments; when its natural and man-made financial and economic disasters are combined. Bugger!

Ki te Ao Mārama – From darkness to

the world of light.

Mull firmly believes that everything that New Zealand is experiencing does provide for fundamental learning. From this fundamental learning a new enlightenment can be grasped and then optimised. More importantly a refreshed and reinvigorated New Zealand can emerge. Let’s identify where we might locate the small rays of light and how these lights could foster Te Ao Märama (a truly enlightened New Zealand).

Firstly, let’s separate two elements: those that are the symptoms from those that are main problems. The main problem with New Zealand is leadership. What is required is a leadership that fosters a vision which inspires change and leads change. This change should foster dialogue in every boardroom, cafeteria and factory centred on “wealth creation and success as a nation”.

Conversations where a greater number of New Zealanders are able to be proud to shift their thinking from simply being an employee or worker, to taking an ownership stake as wealth creators of a new Aotearoa-New Zealand. Matters such as low household incomes, low productivity, low savings and low investment are symptoms as is the low level of financial literacy skills.

Secondly, let’s identify our competitive advantages. Reliability on commodities and/or on an innovation relating to setting up a single structure to drive commodities to export markets is not a competitive advantage. It is comparative at best. Sadly in New Zealand,

companies have repeated this tactic many times with the unintended consequence of providing a false sense of success – there are often short-term gains associated with sales and income (not necessarily margin growth). However this short-term success often does two things: 1. It takes the light off the strategic conversations therefore often limiting wealth creation conversation and change; 2. it places New Zealand further behind its competitors and enables other competitors to gain on New Zealand.

New Zealand’s comparative competitiveness is built on: an educated community; great expats networks; foreign trained students; immigrants; institutions; established companies with networks and channels into world markets. Plus New Zealand has a climate that enables certain agricultural activities. New Zealand does have a well-known brand – that resonates around the world. This brand is not simply about tourism, 100% Pure, landscapes or our farming or forestry, or the

EYE ON INNOVATION: Wayne Mulligan (far right)

PHOTO BY NICOLE FREEMAN

good food and beverages that are produced. The brand is not just about simply extracting natural resources or selling assets.

The true nature of the New Zealand brand as recently witnessed from the Christchurch earthquake and the Pike River coalmine disasters is something more fundamental. Mull will not endeavour to define our New Zealand brand – as that is not the point. The point is to see it and learn from it. Is your light on now? If it is then – naumai ki te ao – welcome to the beginning of a new and long journey towards Te Ao Märama.

Our New Zealand brand is the core platform for our competitive advantage. The question therefore is how do we harness this brand within New Zealand’s business and political sectors so as to lead building a wealth agenda for and with New Zealanders.

“Our New Zealand brand is the core platform for our competitive advantage. The question therefore is how do we harness this brand within New Zealand's business and political sectors to build a wealth agenda?”

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www.KOHA.biz

Koha.biz is an information and communications technology

service that offers a range of marketing and promotion

services. The mission of Koha.biz is to provide an online

platform to help make it easier for the world and Mäori to do

business.

Koha.biz provides a single channel link to connect potential

investors to our network of Mäori businesses, organisations

and tribal authorities. Our goal is to bring together

like-minded parties who work collectively to promote

investment opportunities in the clean technology sector

from energy to food production.

As a community based project, Koha.biz also has a focus

on savings and investment education. We work with

groups involved in this area to provide free financial literacy

resources to whänau, hapü and Iwi throughout Aotearoa.

G ro w i n g K n o w l e d g e E c o s y s t e m s

www.koha.biz47

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