DIRECT USE

KEY BENEFITS:• Integrated, sustainable

business model

• Reliable, renewable energy source

KEY FEATURES:• Began operating in 2011

• Clean steam and electricity from geothermal fluids

• Processes 300 million litres of milk per year

Renewable geothermal energy used in milk processingMiraka uses renewable geothermal steam from the Mokai geothermal field to run its processing operations – a world first for the whole milk powder processing industry.

Miraka has an intergenerational view of business, with a shared vision of sustainable business practices that ensure future generations enjoy the benefits. Using renewable, geothermal energy is a key part of the long-term strategy.

The Miraka processing facility is located at Mokai, 30 kilometres northwest of Taupō in New Zealand’s central North Island. It has the capacity to process more than 300 million litres of milk into powders and UHT products every year. The milk supply comes from 100 local farms, around 60,000 cows, within an 85 kilometre radius of the factory.

Miraka is powered by geothermal energy with electricity and clean steam from the nearby geothermal resource.

The Miraka plant processes over 300 million litres of milk per year.

Earth Energy accessible reliable renewable

New Zealand requires reliable, renewable energy sources into the future. The Government is supporting GNS Science in fostering increased use of renewable resources. The Government’s Energy Strategy aims for greater direct use of geothermal energy.

For more information visit our website:

www.gns.cri.nz/earthenergy

or contact us:

Wairakei Research Centre114 Karetoto Road, Wairakei 3377 Private Bag 2000, Taupo 3352 New Zealand Phone: +64 7 374 8211 Email: earthenergy@gns.cri.nz

The milk processing plant accesses up to 2,400 tonnes per day of clean steam. Geothermal fluid comes from two geothermal wells over 1000 metres deep in the Mokai Geothermal Field. The geothermal steam goes to the heat plant, where it is turned into clean steam and supplied to the Miraka processing facility.

This clean steam process uses geothermal steam condensed to liquid in a heat exchanger. The gases are stripped from this liquid and it is then circulated through the secondary side of the heat exchanger as feed water to generate the clean steam.

For Miraka, the economy and the environment are mutually beneficial. The business is managed to support dairying while reducing the impact on natural resources.

The plant operates a closed-loop recycle and recovery system. Chief Executive Richard Wyeth says “residual milkfat and proteins are recovered from the factory’s cleaning systems via the integrated waste water treatment plant. These solids are captured and collected before being sent to a worm farm. The worm casings in turn go to a native plant nursery from which riparian planting is undertaken along the farms’ waterways.”

Miraka is committed to running a business that is underpinned by its values of Excellence, Kaitiakitanga, Tikanga, Integrity and Innovation. Miraka is New Zealand’s only Maori majority-owned and controlled dairy company with 80 percent of shareholders from whanau trusts and incorporations.

Miraka is both a global business and a local success story manufacturing UHT milk products and milk powder, which is supplied to 23 countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America. Their staff of over 100 employees continues to grow, as does their community of milk suppliers.

Richard Wyeth says “A key factor in the development of new products, and broadening the Miraka base, is telling the story of Miraka in other parts of the world. With customers in many of the big international cities wanting to have a greater connection to where their food comes from, Miraka has a unique opportunity to foster the competitive advantage of wholesome natural products and the company’s commitment to nurturing our world”

2017 sees the launch of Miraka’s very own consumer product brands, Whai Ora and Taupo Pure.

Whai Ora is the pursuit of wellbeing and our quest to find the finest ingredients to create a range of great tasting, easy to mix, real-food smoothies with fruit, vegetables, oats, honey and milk, is a first.

Both Whai Ora and Taupo Pure will be available in New Zealand, at health food outlets and through online sales, before being launched into international markets.

“ENVIRONMENTAL CARE IS CRITICAL TO OUR ROLE AS KAITIAKI (GUARDIANS) OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND IMPORTANT TO CONSUMERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO LOOK TO BUY PRODUCTS WITH A LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT.”

Richard WyethChief Executive

Miraka108 Tuwharetoa Street, Taupo

Phone: 07 376 0075 Email: info@miraka.co.nz Website: www.miraka.co.nz Website: www.whaiora.co.nz Website: www.taupopure.co.nz

2017 saw the launch of Miraka’s consumer product brand Whai Ora.

Miraka’s milk processing operation at Mokai is situated in New Zealand’s central north island.