Founded by Max Farndale 1947 - 2018
Therapeutic value restores hill country
Cultivation of the manuka tree has become a priority on hillsides from Nelson to Waikato.
The manuka tree, a member of the myrtle family, is the basis for the sharply growing industry in the production of therapeutic manuka honey.
The health benefits of the manuka tree (pictured) were introduced to the rest of the world by Captain Cook who dubbed it the tea tree.
The demand for manuka honey has created another cooperative opportunity in the form of share production between farmers and apiarists.
In return for allocating blocks of land for the location of hives, the farmer receives a cut from the revenue derived from the honey produced.
International demand for manuka honey more than matches supply which means that apiarists are in the most coveted position of New Zealand primary exporters in that they are able to set their own premium price.
This is as opposed to accepting the international commodity price.
Because the manuka tree flowers out of synch with other nectar-producing flora, the manuka content of the honey can be defined.
StatisticallyNew Zealand is the world's third-largest exporter of honey by value, behind China and Argentina.
Manuka honey accounts for most of this.
Even so these figures account only for the foodstuffs value of the honey. They do not take into account the branded manuka honey dedicated to medical applications.
The activity around the hives is conferring meanwhile a healthy transfusion to regional joinery firms and transport operators among others.
The joiners who once made trusses, doors and window frames are rapidly converting to making hives while truck operators are busy transferring the hives between locations.
Similarly regional construction firms are building honey pack houses.
Farmers are finding their marginal lands, especially the areas on which sheep cannot be enticed to graze, have become a new source of shared profit..
What could go wrong?
In a word, Australia.
The manuka tree also grows in Australia. It is claimed too that it originated in Australia and found its way to New Zealand as an element of the southerly migration of flora and fauna.
Australia offers economies of cultivation scale and viewed as even more significant is its terrain allowing for the rapid shuttling of hives between flowering districts and pack houses.
Some have seen a comparison between the New Zealand kiwifruit boom and the resulting competition from countries such as Chile.
But such quibbling aside, it is hard not to see a new and diversified frontier opening up for hill country farmers.
There is no investment in things like heavy duty fencing (deer and goat farming.)
Even where manuka plantations need to be established, farmers are able run sheep in the plantation once the trees became established after 3-4 years.
In addition there is now good shelter for the stock.
|From the MscNewsWire reporters' desk | Tuesday 20 December, 2016 |
The distance between China and New Zealand has just became a lot closer today with the announcement of five new business landing pads now available for Kiwi businesses in China.
Five leading business innovation hubs in Shanghai, Chengdu and Chongqing have fostered a relationship with New Zealand based business FunderTech to open their doors to foreign businesses. The Chinese Local Government are supporting the initiative by providing shared workspaces while FunderTech will be providing a wrap-around support service for kiwi businesses to accelerate grow and investment opportunities. The deal provides flexible terms for up to 40 foreign businesses to establish at an innovation hub.
Incubation Hub Manager for Chengdu Ms Li announced the plans “Chengdu is the fastest growing economy in China and we need to continue to attract the best and the brightest people from the world to our city. With direct flights now operating from Auckland to Chengdu, we are opening a new gateway for New Zealand businesses.”
Kiwi businesses are being given an eye watering offer that is almost half the annual rental price of taking an office in the equivalent innovation hub in Auckland with a great deal more benefits.
Each innovation hub has something different to offer but will include a shared local Business Development Manager; a modern office space for three employees with room to grow; a range of modern office furniture; assistance with company registration; assistance with a multi entry visa application; assistance with establishing a business bank account; assistance with finding accommodation and some incubation hubs also offer a months free accommodation; unlimited wifi access; and regular social networking opportunities.
FunderTech Managing Director Rob Thomas said “Kiwis are amazing innovators but our businesses need to be closer to capital and consumer markets. Each city has a population of more than ten million people and it’s important to bring New Zealand companies close to the action.”
FunderTech Director David Liu also added, “The incubation hubs in rapidly growing China cities present a great opportunity for Kiwi start-ups. The enormous China market in bloom is full of both competition and opportunities, the incubation hubs are the active agents that can help Kiwis learn the rules of Chinese business games and prepare them to fly high.”
Mr Thomas continues “The decision to set up an office in China should be well thought through. There are a number of pitfalls that business can make when entering the market. However, the wrap-around service and the deal struck by FunderTech with the Innovation Hubs will provide an affordable and viable way to bridge the gap for kiwi business entering into China.”
FunderTech is also offering business support modules available to accelerate the landing process which include consumer research, product & marketing, manufacture and importation. They are also assisting businesses apply for Local Government Grants and introductions to Chinese Angel Investors.
Since FunderTech established its business in August they have taken five kiwi businesses into China. New Zealand founder of the NZ SME Network Tenby Powell joined them as the keynote speaker at the Chengdu Innovation Hub in October.
The next FunderTech angel investor roadshow is planned for February 2017, after the Chinese New Year, which will involve visiting Incubation Hubs and pitching to Angel Investors. For more information please visit the www.FunderTech.com website.
Pacific Partnership union Presidential sinking welcomed---but public displays of globalisation grief still mandatory
The pending collapse of the Trans Pacific Partnership trade union will be secretly welcomed by New Zealand traders and policymakers alike.
One reason is that New Zealand offers no finished goods challenge to United States manufacturers.
The other reason is that the Trump Exit evaporates dangers to still flourishing trade with China which would have been tarnished by New Zealand belonging to what is in effect an anti-China bloc.
New Zealand exports to the United States are overwhelmingly raw materials for further processing.The president-elect vows to restore United States pre-eminence in manufactured goods of all description.
Mr Trump claims that over the past 20 years that the United States has financed the rise of the Chinese middle class.
This he claims has been at the cost of the careers and jobs of the United States whose own middle class has been relegated in many states to low paying jobs, if they have jobs at all.
Mr Trump’s overwhelming loyalty is to the productivity of United States rust belt states, as they are known, which saw him through to the presidency.
Mr Trump is pledged to revive specific United States industries. They are in:-
None of these compete with anything coming from New Zealand. Indeed, New Zealand can claim common cause with the United States in seeing its own textile industry shrink in the face of exports from the Orient.
In the last analysed statistical year New Zealand was the United States’ 57th largest supplier of imports.
The main categories were: Meat (frozen beef), albumins, modified starch and glue (mostly caseins), wine dairy, eggs, and honey, along with milk protein concentrate .
The one challenge in the process finished consumer product category is wine (USD296 million.)Wine though is focussed on the West Coast, notably California. None of these wine states are by definition rust belt states.
They overwhelmingly voted for Hillary. They can expect no favours in protective tariffsfrom the incoming administration.
On the president-elect global hit list meanwhile are countries such as Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, and Vietnam, and Japan. These all compete in manufactured products with the United States.
They are all members of the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement and nations which the Trump Doctrine blames for taking away manufacturing jobs from his American constituency.
January 21 next will be the first day in office for President Trump with the proclaimed cancellation of the Trans Pacific Partnership as his first executive priority.
From the MSCNewsWire reporters' desk - Monday 28 November 2016
The new Customs and Excise Bill will strengthen border management and make life simpler for businesses, says Customs Minister Nicky Wagner.
“The Bill will take the place of the out-dated Customs and Excise Act 1996, which is difficult to understand and apply, creating unnecessary compliance costs for business,” Ms Wagner says.
“Businesses’ obligations will be clearer and there will be more flexibility in meeting them in the new modern legislation.
“We have addressed concerns raised by the public during consultation around Customs’ powers to search e-devices at the border.
“Customs’ powers to examine and access electronic devices will be restricted through a two-stage search threshold. This means that Customs will only be able to search a device if they have a reasonable suspicion or belief of offending under the Act.
“The new search powers strike a balance between protecting privacy and ensuring that Customs can continue to protect our borders.
“There will also be greater assurance for all New Zealanders that border risks and non-compliance will be identified and minimised.”
The Bill proposes a number of changes that support the movement of travellers and goods across the border, protect New Zealand from harm, and support the collection of Crown revenue, including:
“The Bill modernises but does not substantially change most of the provisions in the current Act, and will provide Customs with modern flexible legislation needed to protect the border.”
“Some detail has been moved into regulations to enable changes to be made in response to emerging risks and new technologies and risk management approaches,” Ms Wagner says.
UK Trade & Investment Policy swerve recognises European uncertainties
Doing business with China is set to become even easier under new China – New Zealand border initiatives currently underway, says Customs Minister Nicky Wagner.
Wellington, 19 April 2016 -Our customs agencies have agreed to launch a new Joint Electronic Verification (JEV) system to streamline and accelerate customs clearance procedures,” Ms Wagner says.
“Currently exporters and brokers are required to provide a Certificate of Origin to prove that their goods are of New Zealand Origin and to gain tariff preference.
“Under the new Joint Electronic Verification System initiative, exporters will need to enter their unique Certificate of Origin reference number on their electronic export documents, which will then be matched to the electronic data shared between the two agencies.
“Moving to an electronic verification system will make goods trade between our countries even easier, while significantly reducing the risk of New Zealand goods being held up at the Chinese border because of minor technical issues.
“New Zealand will be the first country to have a Joint Electronic Verification System with China, which will be launched later this year.
“China is our largest goods trading partner, with two-way trade more than doubling since the NZ-China FTA came into force.
“I am pleased our Customs agencies are working together to make it easier for our businesses to maximise the trade opportunities created by the FTA,” says Ms Wagner.
Down-payments required from Indian local government triggers alarm
Relationship is a growing one.
Palace of the Alhambra, Spain
By: Charles Nathaniel Worsley (1862-1923)
From the collection of Sir Heaton Rhodes
Oil on canvas - 118cm x 162cm
Valued $12,000 - $18,000
Offers invited over $9,000
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
Mount Egmont with Lake
By: John Philemon Backhouse (1845-1908)
Oil on Sea Shell - 13cm x 14cm
Valued $2,000-$3,000
Offers invited over $1,500
Contact: Henry Newrick – (+64 ) 27 471 2242
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