These are the Kikuyu oligarchy, and they are dangerous because they work on the assumption that the rest of the community, and indeed the country, are fools and can be taken for a ride.

There are just two kikuyu growers in Australia: one based in Tamworth in New South Wales and the other is in Wellstead in the Great Southern of Western Australia, and owned by Morgan Sounness.

The Kikuyu entity Ngai has lived for millennia atop the Kenyan mountain. Its snows, mists and clouds were representative of Ngai's breath, spirit and conversation with his people.

That was the kind of reaction from fellow turf companies and greenkeepers when Muzz Ryan, of Northcoast Turf, in Ruakaka, decided to grow kikuyu for his instant turf business about seven years ago.