Seeka chief executive Michael Franks, Kiingi Tuheitia, and Trade Minister and Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo/Supplied
Seeka chief executive Michael Franks, Kiingi Tuheitia, and Trade Minister and Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Photo/Supplied
This week's opening of Seeka's new head office in Te Puke was especially notable for the presence of the Maori king and the strong gathering of iwi leaders from across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
Kiingi Tuheitia officiated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiling of the building's entrance centrepiece,created by master carver James Tapiata.
The two-hour long ceremony was also attended by Trade Minister and Rotorua MP Todd McClay, Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber, and hundreds of growers and other kiwifruit industry stakeholders, as well as large numbers of senior kaumatua.
The strong Maori presence highlighted Seeka's deep ties with iwi growers and the fact that Maori stakeholders are its single largest New Zealand shareholder group. NZX-listed and Te Puke-headquartered Seeka is Australasia's biggest kiwifruit grower and a leading post-harvest operator and premium produce company.
The strong iwi presence and the Maori king's participation reflected the increasing willingness of Maori to work across iwi lines to develop their business interests, said Mr McClay.
"What we're seeing now is Maori businesses looking at wider economic opportunities, rather than looking to run businesses just in their own areas," he said.
"From a Government point of view, that's not only a good thing, but quite important. It actually means we're going to see regions develop more quickly than they might have otherwise."
Seeka spent more than a year and $4 million rebuilding and modernising the iconic kiwifruit slice-shaped 18-sided (octadecagon) building, a 1200 sq m former tourist centre set in 7.5ha of countryside just outside Te Puke.
"What we are opening today is only the start," said Seeka chief executive Michael Franks.
"We intend to relocate more of our operations to the campus here and attract others to create a cluster of related businesses in what has traditionally been the heartland of kiwifruit."
Mr Franks emphasised the contribution of the company's founders, and also the iwi forefathers of the land and owners who sold the property to Seeka.
"We hope that we have delivered on our commitment to you," he said, adding that Seeka was honoured the Maori king had agreed to attend.
The Maori king's core support base is in the Waikato among Tainui iwi. But the king noted in a statement that the Kingitanga had a long association with Tauranga Moana.
"We are honoured to take part in opening the new Seeka head office," said Kiingi Tuheitia, adding that Seeka had been a committed partner of iwi in helping them develop their resources.
"I am delighted to be here to demonstrate our ongoing engagement with the region, and our support for Seeka and what it is doing for the kiwifruit industry and for all of us economically."
Maori MP for Te Tai Hauauru, Tuku Morgan, who is Tainui, told the gathering they had been impressed by the scale and the breadth of the Seeka operation.
"The king has come to lend his support," he said, adding that iwi across the regions should be looking for opportunities to engage in joint ventures on commercial activities across the kiwifruit sector.
The opening of the new Seeka head office. Photo/John Borren
"We should be bold and courageous and come together and collectivise our scale, our ability and our capability, so that other New Zealanders and countries across the world can see what we can do."
Mr McClay said Maori interests had a major stake in the primary industries, and the Government was working with iwi businesses to help increase their engagement with the export economy.
Seeka Maori development project manager Turi Ngatai, who is affiliated to Tauranga's Ngaiterangi and Ngati Ranginui iwi, said the king's presence was significant, and he was seen as a galvaniser in bringing iwi together.
"We recognise that iwi play a huge part in kiwifruit in New Zealand. And, of course, a lot of the land for future development is in Maori hands as well. Seeka recognises that Maori are keen to participate in the sector and absolutely supports that."
Anthony Olsen, Maori representative on the Bay of Connections, said its He Mauri Ohooho strategy was at the forefront of looking at opportunities for Maori economic development.
That included bringing undeveloped and underdeveloped land into production, he said.
And there were opportunities for Maori to partner to access skills sets that might be outside their own iwi, to move further along the value chain.
"Maori aren't just looking to grow stuff and flick it on," he said.
"It's about understanding how they can actually be part of the value continuum."
Notable investment
Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber described the new Seeka head office as a significant investment in the future of the area.
"Kiwifruit and forestry are some of the big drivers of our economy. This investment is incredibly important and we want to do whatever we can in local government to ensure we don't hinder these developments."
Seeka worked with Te Puke firm Architecture Page Henderson to renovate the unusual 18-sided structure. Key changes included creating segmented office spaces for the staff around the outside perimeter of the building, with the largely open-plan central area free for visitors and meeting spaces. The new offices also include a gym and showers, and a cafeteria. There is also 150-seat auditorium.
The renovations retained the structure's original structure of rafters cantilevered off a central column of wooden poles. Other features included new air conditioning, a new roof with skylights allowing fresh air to flush through the building, custom-built LED environmentally sensitive lighting, and an IT-based security system with swipe cards.
Office equipment includes adjustable standup desks. Seeka has also removed desk and office based printers and now has just three, with individual printouts accessed via swipe card on demand.
There are now about 80 staff in the new head office, up from 60 in the old one.
"The staff love the new workspace, and especially the access to the rural location," said Seeka general manager grower services and marketing Annmarie Lee.
"We have moved out and into our community of growers."
