Government Investment Backs Māori Enterprise Growth from Geothermal Energy to Export Orchards

On Friday, 4 September 2026, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka announced that more than $3.4 million from the Māori Development Fund (MDF) is being invested into three Māori enterprises to drive regional prosperity and export growth. The funding targets diverse sectors, including renewable energy, horticulture, and premium viticulture, as part of the Government’s wider economic growth plan. At Mōkai, Halcyon Power has received $865,000 to advance green hydrogen production. A joint venture between Tūaropaki Trust and Japan’s Obayashi Corporation, the company utilizes renewable geothermal energy for its operations. Having already successfully shipped hydrogen to Fiji, the firm is now focusing on expansion into the Singapore market. Minister Potaka noted that such investments help Māori assets become productive businesses that secure long-term wealth for future generations. In the horticulture sector, Ngāti Pāhauwera has been allocated $2.1 million to develop a 30-hectare export apple orchard in Raupunga. The project has already seen the planting of 23,000 trees and the employment of 19 new staff members in its operations. Beyond direct employment, the initiative has contributed over $400,000 to local contractors, demonstrating the broader regional impact of Māori-led enterprise. Additionally, the B Corp-certified wine producer Tiraki, based in Marlborough, received $100,000 to bolster its presence in the United States. The Māori-owned winery currently exports to more than 30 markets and has recently expanded its US footprint from eight to 12 states. The MDF, administered by Te Puni Kōkiri, received $38.21 million in Budget 2026 to continue supporting Māori ambition and overcoming barriers to business growth. Mr Potaka stated that backing Māori enterprise leads to stronger whānau and a more robust national economy.