Pits for growing giant swamp taro, called babai, are highly susceptible to saltwater intrusion. Photo:
A first ever shipment of taro from Papua New Guinea has arrived in New Zealand.
The 13 tonnes of what's described as premium Morobe taro goes up against imports from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, and the Cook Islands.
Wantok Produce is the brainchild of PNG-based ear, nose and throat doctor, Lautofa McCarthy.
His group has been working with the PNG National Agricultural Research Agency, or NARI, on developing the trade, which they're hoping to become much bigger.
RNZ Pacific's Don Wiseman spoke with Dr McCarthy and began by asking about the requirements placed on the trade by the Ministry of Primary Industries.
