A NGĀI TAHU-HELMED WAKA COMMENCING A PIONEERING JOURNEY INTO THE BLUE ECONOMY
whiore’s focus
Our focus is the marine flora & fauna along the coastline of Ngāi Tahu’s takiwa. These extraordinary growing environments include most of Te Waipounamu (the South Island), Rakiura (Stewart Island) and the sub-Antarctic islands.
Whiore are at the forefront of efforts to preserve and enhance those environments, supporting iwi initiatives to remove invasive seaweed species, while selectively and carefully harvesting native species in a sustainable and ecologically sound way.
Utilizing these materials to develop innovative culinary products, alternatives for petro-chemical based fertilisers to support regenerative farming, and novel dietary supplements that enhance well-being and support healthy ageing.
Exploring opportunities to develop new low-impact forms of polyculture (multi-species aquaculture) in environmentally suitable areas with the support of mana whenua and local communities.
Whiore do all of our mahi in consultation with Ngāi Tahu’s Runaka (marae-based communities), providing opportunities for capability development and ongoing employment to local Ngāi Tahu.
Whiore’s initial business focus
Undaria Pinnatifida (Wakame)
Whiore is focussing initially on opportunities relating to the invasive species Undaria.
Turning unwanted invader to a valuable resource
Introduced from Japan, where it is known as wakame and is a prized staple of their diet, Undaria has become very well established along the southern coastline and is now the focus of an iwi-driven control programme.
Whiore are identifying uses for this material ranging from food products to soil conditioners/plant growth stimulants and extracts for use in nutraceuticals.
Whiore has set up a wholly-owned subsidiary NZ Undaria Limited to pursue these opportunities, prioritising the production of key bio-active extracts from Undaria pinnafitida.
Fucoidan Extraction
In a New Zealand first, we produced a commercial quantity of fucoidan-rich extract, applying a state-of-the-art extraction process specially developed for our unique conditions and material inputs. This proprietary process allows us to process freshly-harvested seaweed, an industry first.
Nutraceutical
In a further significant milestone, NZ Undaria have released in early 2025, the very first NZ-manufactured fucoidan nutraceutical product, under the Ocean Ōra brand.
our people
At the helm of our waka are two accomplished Ngāi Tahu entrepreneurs and innovators.
Graham Kitson – Chairman
Graham earned his stripes first in academia as an economist and then business.
He worked for the Asian Development Bank and taught at Sophia University in Japan before establishing Jatra Corporation, an early pioneer in forging trade links into Japan and Asia. This work was recognised by Lincoln University, which awarded Graham an honorary Doctor of Science in 2008.
Graham is also a highly successful businessman, establishing Hi-Tech Foods which exported value-added food products to Japan and a very successful nursery in Christchurch.
He is a founder of Whiore, which he believes can play an important part of Ngāi Tahu’s wider economic strategy as it moves into the post-Covid era.
An SOS from Tipene O’Regan lead to Graham’s first formal involvement with Ngai Tahu over 30 years ago. Legal costs incurred through the early stages of the tribe’s Treaty settlement negotiations with the Crown stripped the cupboards bare and Tipene approached Graham to ask if he could help raise vital funds.
Graham brokered a relationship with the Yamada group of companies in Japan which resulted in an immediate fillip of the iwi coffers – and the establishment of a longstanding relationship between Tipene and Masashi Yamada. That survives to this day through the Yamada/O’Regan Educational Trust of which Graham is a Trustee.
Alan Groves – CEO
Recognized for his efforts over more than 20 years to support innovation in virtually every facet of the Māori economy, Alan is also a serial entrepreneur, investor and innovator in his own right.
He was recently a co-founder and the initial COO of CH4 Global, a company pioneering the development of methane inhibitors based on a seaweed (Asparagopsis Armata) native to NZ and in particular the coastlines, harbors and sheltered bays around Rakiura and Te Waipounamu.
Alan has worked extensively in aquaculture focused on native fauna such as paua, oysters and greenshell mussels, and more recently seaweeds. He has also developed a range of nutraceuticals based on marine bio-actives derived from these and other endemic species.
Alan, who has an MBA from Victoria University, is a trustee of Whenua Māori on Rakiura and in Murihiku and is a former trustee of Rakiura Māori Land Trust.
Alan shares with Graham a deep whakapapa connection to Rakiura and the neighbouring Ruapuke island
Our Technical Expertise
Supplementing Whiore’s leadership team are some of NZ’s leading experts in fields highly relevant to Whiore’s business. They include:
Dr Richard Furneaux – Distinguished Scientist, Ferrier Institute
One of NZ’s foremost Organic and Natural Product chemists, with specific expertise in carbohydrates and polysaccharides including those derived from seaweeds.
Prof. Chris Hepburn – University of Otago
Highly knowledgeable about the marine flora & fauna and growing environments of the southern coastline and islands, with a particular focus on seaweeds. Has played a key role in setting up Ngāi Tahu’s Undaria control programme.
Dr Jane Kitson – Director, Kitson Consulting
Ecologist and environmental scientist with research interests in freshwater, estuaries, coasts, mahinga kai and cultural monitoring. Specific expertise in important Ngāi Tahu mahinga kai such as Kanakana (lamprey) and Titi (muttonbird). Deputy chair Titi Islands Administering Body. Formerly on the Board of Nga Pae o te Maramatanga.
Whiore is the traditional name of Rakiura’s South Cape. It is a reference to the shape of the cape which looks like the tip of a whale tail.
We have charted a bold and challenging course.
With the horizon beckoning, it is time to push the waka out from the safety of the shore
Contact Us
If you have an interest in an Undaria supply, or Whiore’s wider business, please contact Alan at:
[email protected]