Putting Niue Taro back on the map

Niue taro is the best in the Pacific; true or false? Not trying to be bias or anything but it is without doubt the best you can ever find in the Pacific region. With its uniqueness taste and texture, it leaves you wanting more and more. They are back on the market shelves again; all peeled, packaged, labelled and ready for consumption. “I don’t think it’s any secret that the Niue taros are amongst the, if not the best taro in the Pacific. We are trying to use that competitive advantage to take some taro out of here” – Brendon Pasisi.

A new idea put to action

The Niue taro once upon a time was sitting on the Auckland fruits and vegetables shelves in New Zealand a few years back, but unfortunately it was not successful due to some technical issues. Nevertheless, this initiative was awoken again by local farmers Bill Motufoou and John Tiakia who are members of the Niue Growers Association, to look into exporting Niue taro to New Zealand again.

Over the years the Niue taro was always exporting fresh and unpeeled taros, so the two farmers came up with a more effective way for people to buy the taro fast. And this is having the taros peeled, packaged, labelled, frozen and exported; making the Niue taro readily available for everyone.

In most countries there would be competition between farmers. But in this case, Bill and John are working together with the farmers to achieve the supply's that can meet the overseas market demands.

Exporting and Marketing strategies

Exporting is one thing, getting the customers to buy the product is another.

Since taro's been peeled and well packed now, Bill and John received assistance from NOEA (Niue Organic Export Association), who also deals with the export of conventional products, and DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) to find ways to improve products to be marketed ready for New Zealand. Economist and Marketing officer of DAFF, Jamal Talagi, who is also coordinating NOEA says that “product development at this level in government is relatively new and is explored more now with the establishment of the new Test Kitchen (also known as the Agro-Processing Facility). Some of the key things missing in the production line for export products is sourcing the appropriate packaging for products and the development of labels that are acceptable in markets abroad”.

Bill and John's product is called “Talo Niue” which will be registered in New Zealand as a product belonging to Niue. The initial costs for the labels and packaging for Talo Niue product was covered under the Product Development Budget of Government, which is administered by DAFF.

Talo Niue – a positive outlook for Niue

Local farmer Bill mentioned that the production level is still at a small scale production, taking one step at a time. Niuean's residing in New Zealand along with other Pacific islanders that love the Niue taro are happy that Niuean grown taro is available again in Auckland.

Significant to the Taro Business is the dwindling number growers who are mostly the aging population. It is a concern for the people of Niue that more and more young people are seeking white collar jobs over agricultural opportunities.  For more information, please contact Shop Exports New Zealand, who act as Bill and John’s agents overseas that deal with the export, handling and delivery process. Fresh and Frozen Taro go out of Niue via air freight every week.

Photo Credit: Punu Vakaafi (label designer)

Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer, 
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Edited by Jamal Talagi, Economic and Marketing Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.