Infant Formula Seller to Rebrand

Infant Formula Seller to Rebrand

The company that has been criticised for using a Maori name on its infant formula says it is sorry to have caused cultural offence, which it did not intend, and will rebrand its products to remove any Maori references.

Kiaora New Zealand International says it used a Maori name and logo Heitiki on its product to underscore its New Zealand origins with customers overseas.

New Zealand General Manager Sean Xu said he was sorry that the company had caused offence in choosing a Maori name and brand when it initially launched.

“We deeply regret the cultural insensitivity on our part arising from our use of the Heitiki brand.

“We will be rebranding the product without reference to Maori culture but in a way that still promotes its New Zealand manufacture.”

Mr Xu said the company had only began selling New Zealand export infant formula in March.

He said that the product met all New Zealand export regulations and was manufactured by a leading New Zealand dairy product manufacturer. The reason that Kiaora New Zealand Limited was not on MAF’s list of registered dairy exporters was because the manufacturer was the registered exporter.

ENDS

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