WHANAUNGATANGA – WHĀNAU WORKING TOGETHER

If I think for a moment about an Aotearoa company that tells their story and built a business on a pure understanding of the land, its people, identity and community, it would be Kono. Kono translates in te reo into ‘basket’ ... and for me this means that all of their resources and all of the strength of their people are gathered together to present as one.

Kono is an associated business of the Wakatū Incorporation and is a vertically integrated, family-owned Māori food and beverage producer. You may recognise their Tohu, Aronui and Kono wines, Tutū cider, Yellow Brick Road seafood and Hop Federation craft beer businesses. These don’t just represent assets for Kono; they are part of their overall vision as an entity which is to preserve and enhance their taonga (treasured possession) for current and future generations. Most businesses develop or discover their true vision over many cycles of trading. Kono established theirs by focusing on their people, resources and environment. From this came not just a fiscal plan, but a 500-year plan.

The blueprint for such a vision can only be achieved through sustainability and successful development of land along with the provision of high-quality goods. For Kono, this allows them to also nurture their people’s cultural identity.

Wine is a fascinating beverage: its stories are intricately woven into communities worldwide. On a sensory level just the sound of opening a bottle of fine wine to the first sip can spark a conversation and bring people together in myriad ways, fuelling stories about the world we live in to discovering something we have in common.

Be sure to try the Tohu range of wines this winter; their Whenua series Matua Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a favourite.