New Future for Kaingaroa Village and NZ's Bioeconomy [NZ]Friday 3 Jul 2026
The agreement establishes a framework for the parties to work together over the coming months to investigate opportunities in advanced wood manufacturing, renewable energy, green chemistry, and other high-value bio-based industries, building on the region’s forestry resources and existing commercial infrastructure. The next stage is an exciting period of discovery and planning, bringing together technical expertise, community input, environmental stewardship, and commercial insight to create a master plan for Kaingaroa Village. This work will help shape a shared vision for future investment, employment, innovation, and long-term prosperity for the region. Ngāti Manawa Chair Kani Edwards said the agreement represents an opportunity to explore a future that delivers lasting benefits for the iwi, its people and the wider region. “For more than 30 years we have witnessed the impact of forestry restructuring and economic decline on our people. This Heads of Agreement provides an opportunity to investigate how we can once again create prosperity from the resources that surround us, while ensuring the benefits flow back to our communities and future generations. “This is not simply about industry. It is about restoring opportunity, building capability, creating employment pathways, and enabling our whānau to prosper at home.” Once a thriving forestry hub, Kaingaroa Village and neighbouring Murupara played a critical role in supporting one of the largest plantation forestry estates in the Southern Hemisphere Following forestry reforms and the privatisation of forestry assets both communities experienced significant economic decline despite remaining at the heart of New Zealand s largest commercial forest resource. Wayne Mulligan CEO and Founder of NZ Bio Forestry said the partnership begins with acknowledging the past while focusing on the future “It is a privilege to be invited into partnership with Ngāti Manawa. Kaingaroa Village and the surrounding forests once powered regional prosperity. “Statistics are not just numbers. They represent real people, whānau, tamariki and lost opportunities. “This partnership begins with truth — acknowledging what has happened, and what is still being felt. From that foundation, we turn to the future — building trust, creating value, and restoring opportunity.” Mr Mulligan said the proposed project seeks to address some of the challenges facing New Zealand’s forestry sector by creating higher-value uses for wood fibre and biomass, while supporting regional employment, decarbonisation and advanced manufacturing. “While some talk about going to Mars, we look to Manawa — to Murupara and Kaingaroa Village — as the place where New Zealand’s next industrial transformation can begin.” The Heads of Agreement establishes a focused six-month programme of due diligence work on feasibility, commercial viability, master planning, stakeholder and community engagement, and governance, all with the aim of commencing construction of a facility in late 2026/early 2027. Source & image credit: Ngāti Manawa / NZ Bio Forestry .  | ||
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