15 Apr 2013

Maori forest owners should look to China - Maori Trustee

7:08 pm on 15 April 2013

The Maori Trustee, who has returned from a trip to China with the Prime Minister, says the country holds big opportunities for Maori forest owners.

The office of the Maori Trustee administers and leases Maori land.

Jamie Tuuta was part of a delegation of government ministers and business leaders that travelled with John Key to China last week.

He says there is a lot of scope for business with China, especially in the forestry sector, given Maori own more than 40% of the forest estate planted before 1990.

Mr Tuuta says there have been discussions with the Chinese about softwood processing in New Zealand.