A large Maori business and cultural group leaves on Sunday to promote New Zealand-grown kiwifruit in Japan at the start of the new selling season.
Mount Maunganui-based Te Awanui Huka Pak, the largest shareholder in Seeka Kiwifruit Industries, would lead a 55-strong delegation to Tokyo to meet leading players in the industry.
Te Awanui had been invited to open the Zespri Trade Conference on Tuesday and kaumatua Kihi Ngatai would lead the powhiri. About 300 Zespri VIP customers would attend the conference and the delegation would give gifts of Maori carvings.
The delegation, mainly orchardists, would also visit the markets and buyers in Tokyo to gain a greater appreciation of how their kiwifruit was sold in Japan.
Hemi Rolleston, chief executive of Te Awanui Huka Pak, said Japan "is our premium market and it's important for the growers to see the other side of [the] supply/value chain".