17 Feb 2017

Landcorp Chair Traci Houpapa

From Country Life, 9:20 pm on 17 February 2017
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Photo: RNZ/Susan Murray

Traci Houpapa has been chairman of Landcorp for two years. During that time there has been a huge change in emphasis for the SOE.

Sustainability and environmental accountability are now key strategic drivers. New Zealand's largest farmer is also getting into "value added" by partnering with other companies to market Landcorp product here and overseas.

The brand is Pāmu, meaning "to farm" in Maori.  Traci Houpapa says the organisation had to move away from being "a farmer" to an agri-business organisation, and Landcorp is hoping the current moves, which include traceability for the customer, will help its bottom line. 

Last year Landcorp made a $9.4 million loss. This financial year it's expecting to be in the black by between between 2 and 7 million dollars.  

For the next two years Traci Houpapa says Landcorp will continue to refine what it's currently doing, but in the longer term it is looking at products such as deer milk.

On a personal note we find out what Traci’s reading at present, and what music she’s listening to.