Objectives and Aims of the Trust

To conduct and co-ordinate research for the public good, on diseases and afflictions affecting New Zealanders, and to disseminate research information to the public.

• Research the early prevention and treatment of disease, to establish a "wellness" approach to human health.
• Establish and maintain research collaborations with both national and internationally recognised leaders in each research field investigated.
• Research the medicinal properties of plants to establish their appropriate neutraceutical use and use as functional foods.
• Research natural methods to maintaining health and wellbeing.
• Publish research findings.
• Distribute researched solutions.

The New Zealand Tree Crops Association

This organisation was founded in 1975. Nationally the membership is approximately 1600. The Central Districts Branch, which covers an area from New Plymouth to Otaki, has a membership of approximately 100.

This organisation is a voluntary association of people from all walks of life who share an interest in growing productive trees. Members' interests include fruit, nut, fodder, specialty timbers and heritage variety trees in organic and permaculture systems.

The Association's strength is the willingness of members to share information, ideas and skills. This is achieved through a quarterly journal "The Tree Cropper", branch newsletters, regularly updated factsheets which list the latest information on a wide range of interesting tree crops, field days and special interest groups (e.g. hazelnuts) formed within the general membership.

New or interesting varieties of trees are trialed to evaluate their potential as tree crops.

An increasing area of interest is the link between diet, particularly fruits; nuts; and vegetables; and health. This is an area being explored by the Central Districts Branch, through the Central Tree Crops Research Trust.