What started out in early 2018 as a discussion with Waiū Dairy on the possibility of producing a plant based beverage has now morphed into one of Poutama’s largest collaborative groupings, MIHI (Movers In Hemp Innovation).
MIHI recently held its third annual hui at the Riddet Institute, Palmerston North with 45 people turning up for the occasion. And what an occasion it turned out to be more so in the sense of progress that MIHI is steadily making.
An impressive line-up of speakers presented a diverse range of topics with not all of them being about hemp and cannabis. Nevertheless though the MIHI hui revolved around this versatile plant from its fibre as a building and clothing material, that also delved into bio-material use then onto a multitude of uses as a high value nutritional food product and of course its manifold medicinal properties touching on but a few of at least 144 different cannabinoids that can be isolated from cannabis.
The presenters opened up a wide range of possibilities and opportunities for the MIHI members to consider. In between all of this there was the sampling of hemp ice-cream and hemp milk. The nutritional properties of hemp were traversed along with blending Mānuka Honey with CBD for topical and cosmetic applications. Dr Anant Dave spoke about the blending of hemp and dairy proteins as a way for people to get a fuller protein complement.
Entrepreneur and scientist John Hart took the conversation in another direction with his presentation on insect protein derived from crickets.
Jason Wargent from Biolumic talked about how crops need to thrive in many different situations and conditions. From tolerating attack by disease, to providing more yield with less nutrients, boosting roots, controlling pathogens and achieving higher growth rates and yields. MIHI members PAMU and Sustainable Hemp Coop (SHC) gave an update on their activities over the past 12 months. SHC hosted a field day back in February where the originators of the Finola hemp seed came out from Finland to talk about the seed they’ve developed and which is now widely grown in different parts of the World.
The MIHI research team presented on their market and regulatory research into the US market highlighting where the opportunities and challenges lie in approaching this market. Budding entrepreneur and winner of the first iHemp Ideation Challenge, Briana Brocklist-Lodge, spoke about her work on developing women’s sanitary pads and nappies from hemp fibre. This prompted conversation on blending wool with hemp for hi-tech wearables which appealed to the sheep farmers among the MIHI members.
The Chairman of the NZ Hemp Industry Association Inc (NZHIA), Richard Barge, gave an update on the Association’s activities. Formed in 1997 NZHIA promotes the Economic, Environmental, Health & Social Benefits of a New Zealand Hemp Industry. NZHIA has just released two Investor Economic Evaluation reports saying the hemp industry could be worth $2bn and create 20,000 jobs by 2030-revitalising regional Aotearoa.
Then it was time for Te Whare o Te Taniwha – Raising Capital session. Three pitches were given to the MIHI members. First pitch which was actually held earlier in the day came in the form of energetic persona, Ihaka Beach, one of the founders of Kanapu Hemp Food. Ihaka launched into a passionate waiata before telling the Kanapu story and their efforts to bring a hemp milk product to market while raising capital to do so. Manu Caddie one of the founders of Hikurangi Cannabis, now Ruabioscience, talked about the process of going through an IPO to raise capital. The IPO has been oversubscribed in anticipation of listing on the NZX 22nd October – check it out!! Last pitch came from the softly spoken but fiercely tenacious, Candice Pardy, founder of Jobloads. Candice’s tech App has a global application in matching seasonal labour with primary sector businesses as well as businesses in the construction, hospitality and tourism sectors.
To end the day, Mike Hall-Taylor a director of Hempyre Australasia Ltd talked about the leverage Hempyre could bring to the MIHI group through a global partnership opportunity. Hempyre through Next Frontier Brands serves the worlds growing demand for hemp and CBD beverages, wellness and lifestyle brands. Hempyre has access to retail globally with a focus on FMCG products and are currently working on a 100% made in NZ wellness brand. Mike talked about a partnership between MIHI and Hempyre which is best explained by the following, and which MIHI will put serious consideration towards.
As is the tradition with the MIHI annual hui a networking event was held at Wharerata where kai and beverages from the Poutama Cuisine Cluster were promoted and consumed – oysters, clams, smoked fish, kina & eel pate, wine, beer and sparkling tonic!!
Day two was a leisurely amble through the programme kicked off by former NIKE, Icebreaker, First Light and Henergy go to man, Michael Jamieson. Michael talked about building a brand, something he has had a lot of experience in and which is of course of value to MIHI. He was followed by an impromptu and unplanned korero from Poutama’s Middle East connector, Stu Donald of Southern Cross Brands.
Adam Tapsell from Kahui Legal took the MIHI members through the process of forming a legal structure which was then followed by next steps for MIHI in becoming a stand-alone entity…..and that’s where the MIHI story for this part ends until the next time…..
