Māori Business & Cultural Mission @ Taste New Zealand Food Fair, Jaya Grocer

Maori Business Leaders Explore Partnerships in Malaysia

Now here's a rather interesting piece of news. Did you know seven Māori business leaders are visiting Malaysia and the wider region from 13-18 May to explore, build and extend economic relationships? Maori? This is something really new to me, where just recently, the Māori business and cultural mission kicked off with the Taste New Zealand Food Fair at Jaya Grocer, The Starling Mall on the morning of 15 May 2017. Read on for better understanding! 

 Founder of Storiiu, Brian Tan, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia, John Subritzky, Maori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell, New Zealand High Commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei, Matt Ritchie, and Chairman of Miraka Dairies, Kingi Similer after signing an MoU at Jaya Grocer, The Starling Mall on 15 May 2017.

The business leaders from the food and beverage, dairy, seafood and tourism sectors will connect with government and business leaders in Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu and Singapore. 

Chairman of Miraka Dairies, Kingi Smiler (right) traditionally greeting Founder of Storiiu, Brian Tan (left) with a New Zealand hongi after signing a Memorandum of Understanding at Jaya Grocer, The Starling Mall on the morning of 15 May 2017

New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei, Mr Matt Ritchie, said: “Malaysia is one of our top 10 trading partners and the visit coincides with this year marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Malaysia. Our two countries have a history of friendly and constructive links and our relationship continues to grow. We have strong ties in trade, security and education, and we want to build on our strengths in areas like food and beverage which offers huge potential to consumers.”

At Taste New Zealand Food Fair

Did you Know?

The Maori economy is estimated to be worth of $42 billion and contributes $11 billion to New Zealand GDP.

The Māori business and cultural mission kicked off with the Taste New Zealand Food Fair at Jaya Grocer, The Starling Mall on the morning of 15 May 2017. Taste New Zealand is a highly anticipated Food Fair featuring over 150 products including 30 new products from New Zealand – among some of the brands featured include The Collective Dairy, Whittaker’s, Griffin’s and Rockit Apple Snacks. The current fair runs from 3 May to 21 May at all Jaya Grocer outlets. Read all about it in the link below!

Taste New Zealand Food Fair Is Back! @ All Jaya Grocer Nationwide

Maori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell (right) showcasing the all-time favourite Zespri kiwifruits that are available at the Taste New Zealand Fair at all Jaya Grocer outlets nationwide until 21 May 2017.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing

The delegation then witnessed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between Miraka and Storiiu, a new food distribution business started by brother and sister, Brian and Chemmy Tan. Miraka is New Zealand’s first Māori-owned dairy processor and it is a fast-growing operator in New Zealand's multi-billion dollar dairy-processing industry. The term ‘Miraka’ is Maori for “milk”. Eighty percent of its shareholders are whanau trusts and corporations.

Maori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell (fourth from right) and members of Miraka Diary and Storiiu at Jaya Grocer, The Starling Mall on the morning of 15 May 2017.

The New Zealand congregation performing a Waiata

Earlier, representatives from Fonterra attended the re-opening of Fonterra’s milk powder manufacturing plant (Susumas). Fonterra is New Zealand’s largest investor in Malaysia and is well known for its portfolio of consumer and foodservice brands such as Anlene, Anmum, Anchor and Fernleaf. The visit concludes with a cultural exchange between Māori and the indigenous Sabah

people in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.