The trust was a recipient of the previous government’s Jobs for Nature funding programme, which enabled the organisation to continue carrying out mass environmental work across the Whakatipu Basin.
However that funding ran out at the start of this month.
That led Mana Tahuna chief executive Mike Rewi to ask "what can we do next to make Mana Tahuna as self-sustainable as possible?"
With pest control and planting the two biggest operations within the trust, Rewi says he saw potential in turning the former into a game meat business.
Currently, the trust employs two hunters, who pursue small pests, such as possums and rabbits, and large pests including goats, pigs and deer.
To date, Rewi says, the hunters have amassed two tonne of venison from the latter.
After looking at the dollar value of wild venison, and knowing Mana Tahuna has sufficient supply to sell the meat commercially, Rewi contacted the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).
It got on board with the initiative in late 2022, and ever since has been collaborating with the trust on a feasibility study.
Rewi says they’re about three-quarters of the way through that process.
It’s focused on looking at the market demand for game meat, and Mana Tahuna’s ability to supply it and establish an abattoir.
And so far it looks like a goer.
"It is looking very promising that we will go through with the business," he says.
"There is definitely a market with large pests for human consumption, and a massive demand with the smaller pests to be made into organic pet food."
Once the feasibility study’s complete, the next step is to look at funding options to establish the abattoir.
Rewi: "It would be a conversation with MPI, whether they can fund it, or if we go locally, through philanthropists."
