Thirty years of Māori leadership in the kiwifruit industry is facing its biggest threat in the form of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, also known as the Psa virus.

Māori kiwifruit growers currently contribute $95 million to the $1 billion generated by the Kiwifruit Industry export annually.

Of the $95 million generated by Māori kiwifruit growers, almost 90 per cent of that is from Māori kiwifruit growers in the Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Psa was first discovered in Te Puke in November 2010. At the time, there was limited information and no resources to support growers to manage orchards infected by Psa. Kiwifruit growers were concerned that, without access to appropriate resources, the virus will threaten the kiwifruit industry’s substantial contribution towards the regional and national economies.

Te Puni Kōkiri, supported the Western Bay of Plenty Māori kiwifruit growers, and led by Te Awanui Huka Pak Trust, pooled resources to develop a Māori Kiwifruit Grower Toolkit.

Te Awanui Huka Pak Trust chair, Neil Te Kani, commented on the importance of having access to current resources. “During this time of crisis, it is critical that we have the right tools in place, in which to ensure the on-going viability of our orchards and to maintain our strategic position in the kiwifruit industry. The production of this first response document provides land governors with a clear direction towards decision making options.”

The toolkit is unique and is the only resource of its kind. Mr Te Kani acknowledged Māori leadership within the wider kiwifruit industry: “The toolkit is widely circulated and seen as the industry standard both at an operational and strategic level. We acknowledge the contribution by Te Puni Kōkiri and industry leaders who, without their assistance, the toolkit would not be possible.”

The toolkit can be accessed on the following link: www.kvh.org.nz