Finding value in macadamias

VALUE-ADDED: Torere Macadamias Ltd has received a grant of $43,220 for a project to identify the nutritional value of New Zealand-grown macadamias. TML director Vanessa Hayes, pictured here with partner Rod Husband, has spearheaded research into macadamias in partnership with government agency Plant and Food Research. File picture

A grant of $43,220 will help Gisborne's Torere Macadamias in a joint project to identify the nutritional value of New Zealand-grown macadamias.

The aim is to add sales value to the New Zealand macadamia.

Available nutritional information for macadamias applies mainly to overseas varieties.

Scientific evidence is also lacking as to why New Zealand macadamias differ in taste and size so profoundly from the same varieties grown in other countries.

Torere Macadamias Ltd (TML), with Plant and Food Research, have been awarded the grant over four months, to identify and verify the uniqueness and nutritional value of New Zealand-grown macadamias.

This knowledge will provide a sound basis upon which to develop and validate innovative high-value products for future local and export markets.

TML's extensive research over many years has identified the best commercial dropping varieties suitable for the New Zealand climate.

Staff of TML are all Maori, including whanau and trainee orchard managers from the Eastern Bay of Plenty, the East Coast and Gisborne.

“Our staff's health and social well-being are vitally important and supported by TML with a safe, organic workplace,” says TML director Vanessa Hayes.

“Staff gain experience in all aspects of the macadamia business, from planting seed nuts to product sales and marketing.

“Torere Macadamia staff are committed to training and working together to develop their whenua organically and sustainably with great pride,” she says.

“HVN is hugely supportive of industries like TML,” says Joanne Todd, director of the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge.“We are very excited to be able to fund small, innovative, industries like TML, who not only add to our future Aotearoa New Zealand local and export markets, but are also an extremely high-value food product, “ she says.

Earlier this month the New Zealand Macadamia Society conference and annual general meeting provided an opportunity for members to hear from industry leaders and representatives, and to discuss their various experiences as growers and suppliers in the macadamia industry.

HVN's research operations manager, Dr Simmon Hofstetter, spoke at the conference about the HVN programme and its support of the industry via the newly-awarded grant.

“The conference provided good insight into the work being done to resolve issues facing the New Zealand macadamia industry, including the increasing support for its long-term strategy,” Dr Hofstetter said.

“Producers and researchers are working together to understand and solve challenges to the industry, and the High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge is honoured to be able to support a piece of the industry's ongoing efforts.”

The HVN Challenge is a mission-led programme of innovative research into the health attributes of New Zealand-produced foods for our major export markets.

It is hosted by the Liggins Institute at Auckland Unversity, and funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

The Challenge will, over the next three years, fund a number of projects through a competitive contestable funding process, and has recently approved other contestable funding opportunities with business partners.

The HVN Contestable Fund request for proposals remains open for applications.