Plant Discovery and Breeding
Mangaoporo, our cultivation site at Ruatorea, is home to intergenerational plant knowledge and world-class R&D.
It is from here that Rua produces research and variety discovery crops. Our ultimate goal is to develop superior and unique strains here in Te Tairāwhiti that will be grown at scale for global distribution.
The facility is fully licenced for cannabis cultivation and possession, and the team specialises in:
Plant research
Genetic discovery
Seed production
Breeding development
Our boutique, state-of-the-art indoor research facility has 164m2 of indoor growing space. Here, Rua has capacity to maintain hundreds of genetics ready for commercial cultivation.
The facility also features a 4000m2 outdoor production and research space. Each summer season, our team runs a parallel indoor/outdoor breeding programme. This allows us to identify how Rua genetics perform across different cultivation spectrums and the different characteristics expressed when sun-grown.
Discovering World-class Genetics
Collaborative Research Partnerships
Rua’s research and development strategy is highly collaborative and future-focused. It is centred on identifying long-term opportunities across the medicinal cannabis value chain.
Our key priority is to create premium-quality products for global markets with valuable and defendable points of difference.
Rua invests significantly in R&D. We maximise opportunities by working with Crown Research Institutes and Universities across the country – exceptional partners who recognise the potential of the medicinal cannabis industry in New Zealand.
Our People
Talmage Herbert
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Ngāti Porou, Te Rārawa
Certificate in Sustainable Land-based Practices
Inspired by the work of Rua’s co-founders, Talmage returned home to join the team at Rua. His toolkit includes a passion for cannabis and formal training in sustainable land-based practices.
Pete Sollitt
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Ngāti Porou
Certificate in Sustainable Land-based Practices
The stalwart of our cultivation team, Pete brings decades of plant knowledge and expertise to our R&D and breeding programmes.
Porou Tawhiwhirangi
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Ngāti Porou
Certificate in Sustainable Land-based Practices
Porou, is one of several East Coast growers considered the driving-force behind the region’s developing hemp and medicinal cannabis industries. A highly-skilled grower, Porou is a widely respected trainer and mentor dedicated to creating a legitimate and sustainable pathway to employment in the medicinal cannabis industry.
Dr Jessika Nowak
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Ph.D. Food Microbiology
Jessika studied pharmacy at the University of Tübingen in Germany and practised at a community pharmacy before completing her PhD in Food Microbiology at Massey University in NZ.
Jessika comes to Rua from Leaderbrand, New Zealand’s premium fresh produce grower and supplier, where she managed R&D projects and developed new quality systems.
