Hua a te whenua me te moana

Our gift from the land and sea

Our connection to the land and sea is at the heart of our identity as Māori. Food and hospitality underpin our way of life.

Sharing food is a traditional way of bringing people together. With open arms we invite you to learn about our ways.

An associated business of Wakatū Incorporation, Kono NZ LP (Kono) is a vertically integrated, family-owned Māori food and beverage producer – an artisan producer, and exporter of award-winning wine, cider, craft beer, seafood, fruit and natural fruit bars.

Aspiring to be the world’s best indigenous food and beverage provider, Kono has a global consumer focus, particularly in Asia where we have successfully established a wholly-owned trading entity in Shanghai.

Kono is a specialist across all aspects of its operations. From farming and harvesting, to processing and the marketing of seafood, wine, cider, apples, pears, kiwifruit, hops and natural fruit bars.

We farm more than 530 hectares of land and sea and whilst based in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions of New Zealand, we have a geographic spread of export partners across the world. With an intergenerational perspective, Kono prides itself on living its values of instilling practices our ancestors would recognise and that our children will be proud of.

Toku toa, he toa rangatira
My bravery is inherited from
the chiefs who were my forebears

Click on an image below to read what our team members have shared about their personal values and their thoughts on kaitiakitanga or guardianship.

The K Icon: our visual identity

The face of Kono encapsulates the power of four - four corners of beautifully woven harakeke kono from which we take our name, four iwi to whom our owners whakapapa, and ngā wāhanga e whā o te tau, giving us our four seasons.

Referencing traditional art forms, the linear lines of our new face pay tribute to the whenu (strands) of fibre that are the basis of all mediums of weaving. The combined attributes of strength, durability, unity and flexibility are the hallmark of finely woven products. 

The carving patterns of kaokao (chevrons), niho taniwha (triangles) and hekeheke (lines) are integrated. The positive and negative space are akin to the grooves and notches (pākati and hae) found in elaborate works of carved art and these patterns invoke themes of courage, leadership, exploration, movement, protection, responsibility and care. 

All of these characteristics, qualities, and values infuse our icon, connecting Kono to the customs of ages past, the design practices of today, and our aspirations for the future. 

Our icon speaks of who we are. Above all, it is a promise – that we will live up to the principles of pono, whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, and kaitiakitanga.

Nāa tō rourou, nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi

With my basket and yours, we, the people will prosper and be well