18 Oct 2012

Chinese farmer invites iwi to tour

8:30 pm on 18 October 2012

The foreign firm in line to take over 16 former Crafar farms in the North Island has invited a group of tribes to China to explore new business opportunities.

Shanghai Pengxin has already been in negotiation with two Maori trusts to sell them two of the farms, which have wahi tapu or sacred sites.

But Tiroa E and Te Hape B rejected the offer, saying the $66 million price was too high.

New Zealand spokesperson for the Chinese company Cedric Allan says that door is still open to the trusts - and that the Chinese company is also discussing new ventures with other tribes.

He says a delegation will tour China before the end of the year looking at other opportunities to help iwi do business.