LAND & PRODUCTION
Whenua & Opportunity
The Growing Potential Of Matakana
Every productive landscape begins with the land itself.
Matakana’s soils, climate, location and history have supported food production for generations.
Long before modern supply chains existed, communities relied upon local knowledge, local resources and productive land to sustain their people.
The land remains one of Matakana’s greatest assets.
A Diverse Landscape
Matakana is not defined by a single land use.
The island contains a mixture of farming land, forestry, coastal environments, wetlands, waterways and areas suitable for a range of productive activities.
This diversity creates opportunities to consider multiple forms of food production operating alongside one another.
The future may not rely upon a single crop or enterprise, but rather a combination of complementary activities.
Possible Production Opportunities
Future generations may choose to explore a wide variety of productive activities including:
• Market gardens
• Vegetables
• Fruit production
• Berry crops
• Culinary herbs
• Flower production
• Honey and pollination
• Native plant nurseries
• Seedling production
• Specialty and premium crops
The objective is not to identify a single solution, but to recognise the breadth of possibilities that may exist.
Food Production Close To Home
Around the world there is increasing interest in producing food closer to the communities that consume it.
Local production can strengthen food security, reduce transportation requirements and create stronger connections between growers and consumers.
Matakana’s proximity to Tauranga Moana presents an opportunity worthy of consideration.
From Land To Livelihood
Productive land generates more than food.
It can create employment, support family enterprises, encourage skills development and strengthen local economies.
The relationship between land and people has always been central to thriving communities.
Te Kete Hua encourages discussion about how those relationships may continue to evolve in the future.
A Foundation For Future Discussion
This page does not attempt to determine which crops should be grown or how land should be used.
Those decisions belong to future generations, landowners, shareholders and communities.
Instead, it simply acknowledges that Matakana possesses natural assets worthy of thoughtful consideration.
Productive land.
Productive people.
Productive futures.
