Iwi backs fibre future with multi-million Rubisco investment

Te Ao Māori

6 mins to read

Key points

What’s at stake: Arowhenua is taking a material direct investment position in a natural fibres company looking to grow wool, hemp and plant based materials into higher value export markets.
Background: Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Limited has invested in New Zealand Natural Fibres, the main shareholder of Rubisco, as part of a wider capital raise.
Main players: Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Rubisco, Carrfields, Hemp New Zealand, Autex, and growers across Canterbury and the wider primary sector.

When Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua Limited (TRoAL) invested in Rubisco last week, the announcement talked about sustainability, natural materials and regional manufacturing.

Behind that sits a more practical commercial story for the Ngāi Tahu papatipu rūnanga, one of the traditional tribal bodies of

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Mike McRoberts Wed, 20 May 2026

Contact the Writer: Mike@nbr.co.nz

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