ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Our vision at Puāwai is to cultivate medicinal cannabis and make it accessible for all. The Puāwai journey began with a partnership between Longo and his family in utilizing Māori freehold whenua known as the Ellison Block. And so, Puāwai Farms was born.
OUR GOAL FOR MĀORI WHANAU
At the heart of New Zealand's beautiful Hawke's Bay region. Puāwai Farms stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience. In honoring its Māori roots while fostering sustainable growth. We envision a future where the Māori-owned land harnessed to its full potential. Not only for the development of economic growth. But rather to further develope and foster social equity in the region.
Puāwai Farms is now positioned to execute on this vision. Puāwai Farms believes that the employment of Māori on our farmland will bear many positive results. These results will ease economic challenges for our Māori people in the region.
These are challenges such as high youth unemployment, low wages with entry level jobs. But the most important factor is the pathway into leadership positions from entry level positions. Puāwai fosters the opportunity to build these pathways for our people.
Our commitment to sustainable horticulture aligns with ongoing efforts to develop Māori-owned land in Hawke's Bay. Like these projects, we are now positioned to harness the abundant resources. These a seen in its fertile soil, ample water, and favorable climate. As a result, this will produce high-quality cannabis products.
Puāwai Farms is an active participant in the New Zealand government's vision. This is for economic growth through the Whenua Māori allocation. We will stimulate new economic opportunities on Māori-owned land. In this we will contribute to regional development.
In partnering with Puāwai Farms. You are not only investing in a thriving enterprise. But rather also promoting economic independence for Māori communities. In this uplifting the Hawke's Bay region and preserving New Zealand's rich cultural heritage. Your contribution will pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future. This rooted in the strength and resilience of the Māori people. Together, let's create a future where Māori lands flourish, Māori families thrive, and the Māori economy is robust.
OUR PEOPLE
Puawai Farms is surrounded by a talented team with a proventrack record in the cannabis industry in California. This ranges from start-up commercial cultivation, compliance and governance, project management, processing and wholesale distibution networks. This experience perfectly positions Puawai Farms for success.
Longo Reo Te Kooro
Managing Director
Longo was born and raised in Hastings and left for America in 2017, to be a part of the recreational cannabis industry in central California. Longo started out at the entry level stage of the industry working as manicurist of flower. In one year, Longo became a cultivator, where he spent four years understanding the cultivation aspect of the industry. Following this Longo developed a human resource team and took on projects in harvesting, manicuring and packaging finished flower for farms that sized anywhere between 10,000 square foot canopies to as high as 3- acre canopies. At its height Longo was managing in excess of 23 employees at one time.
Mike Maclean
Cultivation Director
Mike started cultivating cannabis in California in 2008 and through 2012, where Mike started consulting and manufacturing cannabis base products in the form of vape cartridges, edibles, and concentrates. Mike continued this practice in the industry until 2017, when he cofounded and was an owner operator at Busch Creek Farms, Unique Botanical Concepts and Fisher Brother Farms. All farms were 1-acre commercial cultivation farms on neighboring parcels, located in Potter Valley California. From 2017 till 2022 Mike produced approximately 30,000 units which amounted to millions in top line revenue between the three canopies over this 5 year period.
Jordan Tuhura
Funding Director
Jordan
was born in Gisborne and graduated from the University of Otago with a DipGrad in Accounting & BCom Major in Management. After graduation, Jordan worked in private wealth management in Sydney, assisting in the management of finances for high net worth clients. From there, he worked as a Senior Project Manager for Māui Studios and developed the ability to raise funds through government grants for creative projects. These skills were then utilized to help raise over $4.5 million for Mana Tāhuna, a charitable trust dedicated to providing support for the Māori community in Queenstown. Jordan is now the acting CEO and co-founder of Tuatahi Creatives and works to empower Māori led organizations in achieving their aspirations.
