The Minister for Māori Development, the Hon Nanaia Mahuta, has announced the first Māori business collective to have a presence on one of China’s main e-commerce platforms, Tmall Global, which is part of the Alibaba Group.

The Hui Māori Collective comprises 13 companies which together sell a range of premium products. These include wine, Mānuka honey, dairy (milk powder), fruit bars, and Kawakawa soft drink.

Their Māori-branded product suite will be hosted on NZ Post’s flagship store on Tmall Global. Chinese customers can order online, NZ Post will then package the order from its airport warehouse and send direct to Chinese consumers in a partnership with China Post.

“It is exciting to see Māori companies combine their products in such an innovative manner for an important export market," Nanaia Mahuta said. 

“And in an additional innovation, the Modern Māori Quartet has joined the coalition to support their aim of becoming one of Aotearoa’s global cultural ambassadors. 

"This blending of world-class Māori entertainment together with premium food and beverage products will provide Chinese consumers with a unique shopping experience and help the coalition to stand out on Tmall Global.”