Puro New Zealand welcomed a high-level delegation from Vanuatu to its Marlborough cultivation facility this week, with the country's prime minister Charlot Salwai among those making the visit.
Accompanying him and Marie-Justine Salwai were Vanuatu's minister of lands and natural resources, the director of foreign affairs, and the high commissioner, along with other senior officials.
Puro described the visit as coming at a critical moment for Vanuatu, as the nation works to broaden its economy and identify new sources of revenue, calling it a significant step toward international collaboration and understanding the potential of the medicinal cannabis industry.
Last year, the Vanuatu government passed regulations permitting the cultivation of medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp for export purposes.
With the sector still in its early stages, Puro said Vanuatu's leaders are eager to draw on the experience of countries like New Zealand, which have developed established regulatory frameworks and proven industry practices.
Throughout the visit, Puro outlined New Zealand's regulatory environment, covering the licensing processes and the strict standards in place to guarantee the quality and safety of medicinal cannabis products.
Co-founder and cultivation director Tom Forrest and the wider Puro team walked the delegation through the economic opportunities present across the industry, spanning cultivation, processing, product development, and exports.
He said: "It was our pleasure to host the honourable prime minister Charlot Salwai and Mrs Marie-Justine Salwai, alongside the Vanuatu delegation. We were proud to share lessons of the Puro journey, showcase our flowers and medicinal products, and discuss the potential opportunities for the Asia-Pacific cannabis sector."
Puro noted that this kind of knowledge-sharing was crucial for Vanuatu as it assesses the economic value a medicinal cannabis sector could add alongside its existing exports of kava and copra (coconut).
Central to the discussions were the advantages of building a domestic cannabis industry in Vanuatu, including prospects for agricultural growth, the development of supporting industries, and the plant's medicinal properties.
The delegation also examined leading cannabis products from Helius Therapeutics and Heyday Medical, with conversations covering modern delivery methods and the range of options available across global markets.
The visit further offered a moment to acknowledge the contributions of ni-Van RSE (recognised seasonal employer) workers who have worked at Puro's farms in previous seasons, with the company describing their input as "invaluable".
"The experience gained could be instrumental in helping Vanuatu develop its own cannabis industry," the company said.
"We look forward to exploring avenues for collaboration and providing ongoing support to help Vanuatu realise the full potential of this emerging sector."
