News

Māui Inc. Update  

We are excited to share that Māui Inc. is actively working to ready the Mussel Spat research farm with final kit.  This is just the start of a significant journey, and there’s a long way to go.  Māui Inc. holds the dream of growing aquaculture in Te Hiku for the benefit of all. 

Mussel Spat Farm Installation in Ahipara!  
As many of you will already know and have seen, the installation of the Māui Inc. Mussel Spat farm kei waho o Ahipara is now well underway, we are in the water!!  This initiative is part of a local business venture aimed at fostering sustainable aquaculture practices and contributing to the economic growth and social fabric of our community here in Ahipara and the wider rohe o Te Hiku.    

What is a Mussel Spat Farm?  
For those who may be wondering, a Mussel Spat farm is a facility where juvenile mussels, also known as Spat, are captured and nurtured until they are ready to be harvested and transported South for grow out on Mussel farms throughout the country.  This venture aligns with our commitment to sustainable practises and the responsible use of our coastal resources. 

Supporting Local Business:  
The Mussel Spat farm is not only a positive environmental endeavour but also a local business initiative that aims to bring economic benefits to our community.  By supporting local businesses, we contribute to the overall well-being of Ahipara and Te Hiku and will strengthen our sense of community. 

Cardinal Marker Installation:  
At Labour Weekend, the first part of our installation took place, and you may have already noticed the Cardinal Markers off the coast of Ahipara.  These markers play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of both marine activities and the Mussel Spat farm.  Cardinal Markers indicate the direction of safe water and draw attention to potential hazards, assisting boats in navigating the area safely.  These markers are highly visible to the community, during the day and at night and are clearly visible from the beach and foreshore, ensuring the safety of marine activities and marking the boundaries of the Mussel Spat farm. 

Orange End Marker Floats:  
As part of the ongoing installation process, on the weekend gone, we had a local vessel working in the water deploying orange floats known as End Marker Floats.   These floats play a crucial role in marking the end of each backbone, guiding the installation of the Mussel Spat farm structures.   

Stay Updated:  
To keep everyone informed about the progress of the Mussel Spat farm and any related updates, we will be providing information on this website.  Please check back regularly for updates.  We have a Q&A section on this website for topline visibility to the questions that have been asked of us the most in recent weeks.