Planting the Seeds: Why We’re Building a Hemp Economy for Te Tai Tokerau
Welcome to TaiTokerau Hemp.
Our mission is simple but urgent: to build a self-sustaining, regional hemp economy right here in Te Tai Tokerau that honours the whenua, empowers local landowners, and provides the materials needed for warm, healthy homes.
For generations, our region has held incredible agricultural potential, yet too much land remains underutilised or reliant on traditional farming models that don't always align with long-term environmental wellbeing. Industrial hemp offers a transformative path forward. It cleans and regenerates the soil, sequesters carbon rapidly, and yields high-value natural fibre in a single growing season.
But growing the crop is only half the story.
By processing hemp locally into natural, breathable building materials like hempcrete, we can directly support papakāinga developments, whānau home builds, and local contractors. We are creating a full circle, where the materials used to build healthy, warm homes in Northland are grown right here by Northland hands.
Want to get involved?
Whether you represent a Māori Land Trust or incorporation looking to unlock new agricultural revenue, or you’re a builder or whānau planning a sustainable home build, we want to kōrero.
Together, let's grow a sustainable future for Te Tai Tokerau.
- Dave Hovell, Founder, TaiTokerau Hemp
Prefer direct email? Reach me at kiaora@taitokerauhemp.co.nz
