Canterbury wagyu boss faces new company collapse

Tuesday, 30 July 2024

A company commonly known as Black Origin has been put into voluntary administration.

Another company ran by Canterbury wagyu boss Arato Tsujino is in the firing line after being put into voluntary administration.

The company, Shiwase Kobe, started in 2017 and traded under the name Black Origin. It sold New Zealand-farmed wagyu beef to about 116 restaurants and retailers across the country.

Seven other wagyu companies owned by Arato Tsujino were put into liquidation on June 28, including one that managed about 30,000 wagyu cattle.

Wagyu beef comes from specially bred cattle that traditionally are “finished” or spend the last part of their lives fed with grain in purpose-built barns. Wagyu cattle originated in Japan where the beef is regarded for its marbling, aroma, texture and tenderness.

Shiwase Kobe went into voluntary administration on July 19, appointing Kieran Jones and Steven Khov as administrators.

On June 28, seven other wagyu companies ran by Tsujino went into liquidation. One company, New Zealand Wagyu Co, owes $10.4 million to up to 140 farmers and suppliers.

This massive wagyu cattle barn near Rakaia is one of the business projects that New Zealand Wagyu Co diverted funds meant for farmers and suppliers to.

New Zealand Wagyu Co was found to have diverted funds meant for the farmers and suppliers to other business projects, including a massive wagyu cattle barn near Rakaia.

One wagyu farm formerly managed by New Zealand Wagyu Co is currently under investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for animal welfare concerns.

Dead calves, starving and overweight cattle and accidentally impregnated cows were found on the farm near Timaru. The livestock were in a barn that MPI said was not suitable for housing animals.

MPI searched the Cave property earlier this month and ordered the cattle be moved to another farm.

One local farmer who visited the farm said it was the worst animal welfare case he had seen in his 20 years of farming.

Tsujino was contacted by The Press for comment but could not be reached before deadline.

Jones and Khov were also contacted, but could not be reached.