Ngawha Innovation & Enterprise Park progress with Specialty Coffee Project

We are pleased to share the latest progress from the Northland Specialty Coffee Project, co-led by Sue Dobbie and Justine Stuart here at the Park. With funding from MPI Māori Agribusiness, the project aims to create a business case for landowners and to structure a roadmap for the establishment of a specialty coffee industry here in Northland.

The project steering group includes coffee experts, as well as representatives from Plant & Food Research, Northland Inc, MPI and Māori land trusts. The team is engaging with 80 interested individuals, including landowners or existing growers in the North, alongside significant interest from Māori landowners.

It has become increasingly evident that there could also be a range of additional value-adding, positive impacts to this industry – including leveraging coffee plant bi-products as well as new careers and workforce opportunities for the community.

A consistent message unfolding is that a collaborative approach and mahi tahi will be paramount to support development and success.

Looking ahead, a series of workshops will commence in March, focusing on subjects such as growing, processing and marketing, with a complete roadmap and rollout activities being drawn up from the workshop outcomes.

If you are interested in learning more about this project, contact Justine Stuart or Sue Dobbie

Get in Touch | Contact Ngawha Innovation & Enterprise Park (ngawhapark.nz)