Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey is focussing on upskilling and educating Maori on how to take advantage of what is set to be a ‘boom' in the horticulture industry in the Bay of Plenty.

The goal comes following a series of visits made by the MP on Tuesday, to some of the Bay of Plenty's leading forces within the sector.

The visits have included a hui with Ngai te Rangi Iwi Trust Board members; an orchard tour of a Ngai Tukairangi Trust orchard; a tour of Zespri; as well as discussions with organisations such as Venture Centure and BayTrust.

SunLive met with Tamati at Zespri to hear some of his initial reflections about the direction of the industry within the region.

'Kiwifruit is already a huge player in the Bay of Plenty and in my electorate which is Waiariki,” says Tamati.

'About 86 per cent of New Zealand's green kiwifruit grows in the region, and a further 76 per cent of New Zealand's gold kiwifruit grows in the region as well.

'With numbers like that, it makes sense for me to be at the front of what's going on.”

He says the visit has been a good opportunity to view the industry from an international standpoint, along with being a chance to hear from key leaders as part of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Grower Industry Forum.

The visit was a first for Tamati who says he was also the recipient of a Zespri scholarship during his time as a university student.

'It's nice to pay a bit of homage to them for that. I actually got to say thank you for it and wonder around their operations to see what they do.

'It's been beneficial to come here and see the other side of the coin, the macro picture and what it looks like on an international stage.

'They are expecting huge growth and by 2025 they are predicting $4b worth of sales into the worldwide market, which is only seven years away.”

Tamati says he's confident in the potential of the industry, however Maori involvement within it is something he wants to improve.

'The market is definitely going forwards, but we need to make sure our Maori trusts are well-positioned and well-educated to be able to take advantage of the boom that's coming.”

The NZKGI forum who met with Tamati at Zespri, includes a Maori subset who handle specific Maori issues, he says this subset plays a valuable role in helping Maori to move forward within the industry.

'It's also been nice to go to Ngai Tukairangi and see the industry from a Maori grower's point of view,” he says. 'While Zespri is our door to the international market, it's actually the Maori growers at the front line that I want to hear from.”

Tamati says he has also had a chance to hear about the challenges faced by those in the industry.

'Labour is a big one; making sure there are enough people to pick. They've already identified some new solutions with one being developing ways to make the employment cycle longer, rather than it being only the months they are out picking for.

'People who want a job, want one they can depend on, not something that's only around for three months and then nine months' time you're out in the benefit queue again.”

Accommodation is another issue affecting employment, says Tamati.

'In Gisborne they have set aside $2.5m dollars for accommodation for seasonal kiwifruit workers. It's not necessarily something they want to do, but it's something they recognise they have to do.

'There are also some other initiatives they are working on together with the Government, specifically in getting young people in work through the Mana in Mahi programme.

'This programme centres on those who are facing long-term unemployment issues and need a bit more support to come off the benefit. So trying to channel more of these people into horticulture jobs.”

He says biosecurity is another huge threat facing the industry.

'PSA wasn't all that long ago and industry leaders want to make sure they reach their targets, but the biggest threat to that is what is coming in through our borders.

'The smallest pest could pass through, like what happened with PSA, and it would mean all of it is ruined.”