Federation of Maori Authorities continue as a major force

Media Statement
Wednesday May 23, 2012

Federation of Maori Authorities continue as a major force in NZ farming and forestry

New research released by Statistic New Zealand today shows that the 140 members of the Federation of Maori Authorities own a total of 272,200 hectares of New Zealand farm and forestry land.

The figures come from a survey of farms owned by Federation members, who make up a large part of all farm and forestry land collectively owned by Maori.

The research also found that Federation farms which were on average 2000ha - eight times larger than the average New Zealand farm.

FoMA Chairman Traci Houpapa said the research provided the latest break-down of the extent and diversity of the activities of FoMA members.

“FoMA members continue to be significant stakeholders in the beef, sheep, forestry and dairying sector. We account for more than two per cent of New Zealand’s total farming and forestry sector alnd, which is equivalent to a land area one and a half times the size of Stewart Island.

“The success of our members is one which has major benefits for the country. The new research provides a fresh up-date on the extent of our membership participation in the farming and forestry sector.”

Ms Houpapa said the data provided further impetus to work collectively to assist to increase the productivity of members, a focus that had major benefits for the communities the membership share throughout the country and for the country as a whole.

The research found that the majority of Federation members' farms occupy nearly 2 per cent of New Zealand's total farming and forestry area.”

Agricultural statistics manager Hamish Hill said Federation farms are mainly large commercial livestock farms.

Other highlights from the research (at 30 June 2011) include that Federation members’ farms had:

568,000 sheep (1.8 percent of New Zealand's sheep)
79,900 beef cattle (2.1 percent of the New Zealand total)
39,900 dairy cattle (0.6 percent of New Zealand's dairy herd)
a forestry plantation area that was 2.9 percent of the national planted area.

This information is from the 2011 Agricultural Production Survey and was developed with the Federation’s assistance. These statistics are part of a pilot programme to develop statistics that identify Maori business activity within economic data.

About the Federation

FoMA was formed 25 years ago to provide support and a collective political voice for its members. In that time membership of Federation has grown to include 140 Maori authorities or entities. Our membership ranges from single farm businesses to broad-based enterprises that own and manage interests across the raft of primary industries. The collective asset base of the Federation membership is estimated to be $10 billion dollars. Our members include agriculturalists, forestry owners, and mixed-use land owners. Membership comprises of a variety of Maori entities - iwi, hapu, and other Maori land owners.

The Federation’s strategic goal is to promote sustainable economic prosperity, for our members, our communities and our country.
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