10 Sep 2014

Maori business builds China bonds

7:23 am on 10 September 2014

A Maori-owned food and beverage company is aiming to develop international business relationships by exhibiting its services at the Asia Fruit Logistica trade event in Hong Kong.

Kono Horticulture is a first time exhibitor.

Its part of the Kono group which is a branch of the Nelson-Marlborough based Wakatu Incorporation.

Its general manager Ru Collin said the Chinese were similar to Maori where a good relationship must be established first before doing business deals.

He said being a Maori agribusiness, it generated a lot of interest in the fact that the word "kono" means food basket.

Mr Collin said it was all about building relationships and his company had a big focus on dealing with the right people for the right reasons.

He said the aim was to establish longer term relationships wherever Kono Horticulture can.