Growing a Sustainable Future for Te Tai Tokerau
Taitokerau Hemp is unlocking the potential of regional industrial hemp — supporting growers, enabling alternative housing solutions, and circulating economic value right here in Northland.
Kōrero Mai | Get in Touch ↴
Industrial hemp crop trial location.
The Vision
Taitokerau Hemp connects growers, processors, and builders across Te Tai Tokerau's hemp industry. This growing season, we're running the region's first industrial hemp trial in nearly a decade, across three sites with local landowners, with an initial focus on hempcrete — a natural building material that can bring the cost of small, rural homes down while creating local employment.
Hempcrete is a natural wall material made from woody hemp core (hurd), lime, and water. It replaces synthetic insulation and plastic wraps with a single breathable layer that regulates indoor humidity and eliminates mould.
The Basics: What is Hempcrete?
Hempcrete is a natural wall material made by mixing woody hemp core (hurd) with a lime binder and water. It replaces synthetic insulation, plasterboard, and plastic wraps with a single breathable layer that naturally regulates indoor humidity, eliminates mould, and dramatically cuts heating costs.
Taitokera Hemp founder, Dave Hovell, with crop trial landowner.
Why I Started Taitokerau Hemp
Born and raised in Te Tai Tokerau, I've seen first-hand the impact of primary industries extracting value from our land and people while our talented young people leave the region. Hemp has real potential to change that — creating career opportunities from farming to construction to processing, right here.
This season's trial is being grown at three sites across Te Tai Tokerau. It's early days, but it's real ground, real seed, and a real first step toward warmer, healthier homes for whānau.
Dave Hovell
Founder, Taitokerau Hemp
“Kia takoto pai to mahi i waho, kia rite ano hoki hei meatanga mau i te mara; muri iho ka hangā e koe to whare.”