Primary industries with a focus on the Forestry Sector
Māori have inherent connections to the whenua. These connections are cultural, spiritual and commercial. Māori owners are a significant group within the forestry sector and own over almost 50% of commercially planted forest land in New Zealand (Scion website).
Forestry is more than growing and harvesting and careers can be found across the whole value chain including planting and managing native and exotic forests, environmental, technology, logistics and machinery operation and innovation and science.
This discovery tour was hosted at Scions new three-storey building called Te Whare Nui o Tuteata, named after a tupuna of Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotu and Ngāti Te Kahu.
‘Te Whare Nui o Tuteata showcases the latest in engineered timber products and manufacturing techniques within its bold and innovative structural form, while using products that are designed for our climate and meet our preferences for sustainability and environmental performance’ (Scion Media release, 5 November 2020).
The tour included a site visit of the nursery, Science labs and the Te Whare Nui o Tuteata and rangatahi heard from three dynamic Māori Scientists including:
They were able to share their experiences in their area of work, their passion on what drives their mahi and how they got to where they are. This enabled rangatahi to see what the journey looked like and what opportunities there are in this sector.
