A new entrant to the dairy processing industry is due to collect its first milk on Monday.
Miraka Ltd is based at Mokai, just north of Lake Taupo.
Country Life reports supply is coming from over 40 Maori trust farms.
Chief executive Richard Wyeth says the initial intake will be about 100,000 litres of milk per day.
He says it will operate at 80% of capacity in its first year, which was planned.
Mr Wyeth says the targeted supply base is 70km around the factory and the emphasis in the first year will be on producing whole milk powder for export.
Miraka Ltd has links to Vietnam for markets, as well as Global Dairy Network.
Exports will be through the port of Tauranga.
Mr Wyeth says the first intake of milk on Monday is special after 80 months of planning comes to fruition.
He says the plant will employ about 30 people.
