Whenua Magazine - Issue 28

HERO HELPS

KAIMAHI FIGHT MENTAL ILLNESS

& SCHOLAR HAS VISION FOR THE FUTURE

TE RURU BRINGS

COMMUNITY TOGETHER

CONTENTS

HE WHENUA

13 NEW FUND OFFERS PKW OPPORTUNITY FOR LARGE SCALE INVESTMENT A big step towards diversification goal

14 SHAREHOLDER SURVEY Make sure your voice is heard

19 PKW BEEF GETS GOLD AWARD International recognition for a quality product

HE ORANGA

29 BUILDING FUTURE OPPORTUNITY WITH A VALUEADD APPROACH New apprentice Hoani starts work

32 FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS WITH SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT Applications open soon

33 2018 TERTIARY GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

NGĀ PANUI

Proxies Closure Date

5pm, Friday, 26 October 2018 (Proxy Form in supplementary AGM Information Booklet)

PKW AGM Saturday, 27 October 2018

9am, Owae Marae, Waitara (full details on page 4)

Order 2018 Annual Report (full details on page 5)

PKW Tertiary Grants 2019

Opens 10 December 2018 (full details on page 33)

Te Poihi Campbell from Tūwhakaehu led discussions among Meremere Marae whānau about the new name for Farm 2; Te Ruru.

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA

Postal PO Box 241

New Plymouth 4340

Physical 35 Leach Street

New Plymouth 4310

Tel +64 (6) 769 9373

Fax +64 (6) 757 4206

Email office@pkw.co.nz

www.pkw.co.nz

EDITORIAL

Tēnā koutou

Building relationships and making connections is inherent to the Māori culture and way of life.

This is evidenced whenever we come together to kōrero with the formalities of karakia, mihi and the sharing of kai. These ‘formalities’ are an essential part of who we are, how we communicate and how we are always looking to find the links between us. Our spirit of co-operation and mutual understanding is something that makes us stand out as a people, as a culture and in the way that we do business.

Our key strategic driver, that of diversification, calls for us to draw on our tikanga to create partnerships that will enable us to realise our potential. It is essential that if we are to build and grow as a business, that we search out and establish connections with those that can help us on our journey to realising our strategic outcomes.

Establishing relationships based on the core values that stand at the heart of our strategic plan – Manaakitanga, Kaitiakitanga, Whakapono, and Whanaungatanga/Kotahitanga – means we can work with other entities to enable the operationalisation of our strategic drivers.

I hope you enjoy reading about the success we are achieving as a business in this issue of Whenua magazine as we continue to initiate and consolidate partnerships that will bring reward and opportunity for all our shareholders, their whānau and our business partners.

Mauri ora.

Nā,

Warwick Tauwhare-George Chief Executive Officer

iSTUDIOS MULTIMEDIA

Postal PO Box 8383

New Plymouth 4340

Physical 77B Devon Street East New Plymouth 4310

Tel +64 (6) 758 1863

Email info@istudios.co.nz

www.istudios.co.nz

WHENUA MAGAZINE

Editor Warwick Tauwhare-George

Deputy Editor Polly Catlin-Maybury

Creative Direction Sheree Anaru

Photography Quentin Bedwell

Graphic Design Dave Pope, Karere Brown

CONTRIBUTORS

Polly Catlin-Maybury

Renee Kiriona-Ritete

“Our spirit of co-operation and mutual understanding is something that makes us stand out as a people, as a culture and in the way that we do business.”

We look after nearly 100,000 hectares of Māori land on behalf of over 97,000 owners. But we only have 60% of the contact details for owners that we need. This means that over 30,000 owners are losing a connection to their whenua. We need your help to locate owners so we can invite them to hui, pay them any funds we hold for them,

Who is Te Tumu Paeroa

We support Māori land owners to protect and enhance their land – for now and generations to come.

What to do next

Maintain your connection. If you or your whānau have new contact details, please let us know.

0800 WHENUA

tetumupaeroa.co.nz

I went on a personal journey to discover the roots of everything. I have a better understanding of where the connection came from.

Whenua is like a thread through time – to my whānau.

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA INCORPORATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held at Ōwae Marae, 16 North Street, Waitara on Saturday, 27 October 2018.

9.00am Pōwhiri and registrations

10.00am Meeting commences

BUSINESS:

• Apologies

• Confirmation of Minutes of 2017 Annual General Meeting

• Annual Report and Financial Statements to 30 June 2018

• Approval of Dividend

• Appointment of Auditor

• Appointment of Share Valuer

• Approval of Committee of Management Fees

• General Business

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA TRUST

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual General Meeting of Beneficiaries will be held immediately following the Annual General Meeting of the PKW Incorporation.

BUSINESS:

• Confirmation of Minutes of 2017 Annual General Meeting

• Annual Report and Financial Statements to 30 June 2018

• Appointment of Auditor

• General Business

Warwick Tauwhare-George SECRETARY

2018 COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT ELECTION OUTCOME

In the last issue of Whenua magazine the annual notice calling for nominations to the PKW Committee of Management was issued. Nominations closed at 5:00pm on Friday, 31 August 2018.

Nominations were received from Bev Gibson, David MacLeod and Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua. No other nominations were received.

In accordance with Section 23(5) of the Māori Incorporation Constitutions

A reminder that shareholders who would like a hard copy of the 2018 Annual Report must now order a copy by contacting PKW.

What's in the Annual Report?

The report explains how the PKW Incorporation and the PKW Trust performed from 1 July, 2017 to 30 June, 2018. Reports from both Chairs and the CEO along with audited statements are also included. We also discuss key strategic developments and provide

information on those who received a scholarship or grant from the PKW Trust.

What makes this report exciting and uniquely Taranaki is that it includes many photos of whānau, mokopuna and events during this period.

The Annual Report is a snapshot of PKW, Shareholders and

Regulations 1994, Bev Gibson, David MacLeod and Hinerangi RaumatiTu’ua are deemed re-elected to the Committee of Management, effective as of the Annual General Meeting date being Saturday, 27 October 2018.

the Taranaki community in a single document.

To order your copy please contact Aimee Morell, Admin Assistant for Shareholder Engagement on:

The Annual Report can be viewed online from 1 October 2018 onwards at pkw.co.nz

Bev Gibson Ngāruahine, Te Atiawa and Te Arawa

David MacLeod Ngāruahine, Ngāti Ruanui, Ngāti Mutunga, Te Atiawa, Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Porou

Raumati-Tu’ua Ngāti Mutunga, Waikato

HERO HELPS KAIMAHI FIGHT MENTAL ILLNESS

An inspirational leader shared his story of living with mental illness and trauma with farm managers and Taranaki youth in a hui organised by Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW).

Bill Henry ‘Willie’ Apiata, a child of Ngāpuhi and a son of Te Whānauā-Apanui, was awarded the Victoria Cross for New Zealand for bravery during the war in Afghanistan in 2004.

The act saw the father and former corporal in the New Zealand Special Air Service carry a gravely wounded >>

Above: Willie’s medal’s, which include the Victoria Cross, attest to his bravery on the battlefield.

Below (l-r): Waitara High School students, Kingston Simpson and Paddy O’Carroll-Haami, enjoy the opportunity to connect with a true hero.

comrade across a battlefield, under fire, to safety.

And while Willie has now lowered his guard, he is helping to carry his fellow citizens across their own battlefields by talking about how he deals with the stress and trauma caused by his experiences.

The ‘reluctant hero’ spoke to kaimahi from PKW’s 23 farms at Aotearoa Marae in Ōkaiawa before meeting with rangatahi from New Plymouth high schools at the incorporation’s office at New Plymouth in June.

Stress and trauma can be very real issues for farmers, especially in times of low pay-out, disease and unpredictable weather patterns. Mental well-being can also be an issue for youth as they endure the ups and downs of their journey into adulthood.

“We were fortunate to be offered the chance to host Willie who has been a Westpac Ambassador since 2014,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “It provided us with the perfect opportunity to connect our farmers and rangatahi with someone of this calibre.”

Last season was difficult for many farmers throughout Taranaki who had to endure unexpected storms and droughts.

“Events like that impact production which in turn creates financial stress for our farmers and their families,” says Mitchell. “Farmers aren’t traditionally the kind of people who talk about their feelings; so many of them appreciated hearing Willie tell them it was okay to open up.”

Mitchell felt that many whānau, who had a father or grandfather return from war, would have empathised with Willie’s message not to internalise their stress.

“Willie spoke to us about the ongoing challenge of dealing with a mental illness and said he has his good

Right: Willie talks to PKW kaimahi and Taranaki high school students

days and his bad days. But having someone to talk to and listen has been the biggest help for him.”

Mitchell added that while Willie had been portrayed as a ‘hard man’, he showed another, more vulnerable and personal side while speaking at the two gatherings.

“You could see the emotion in him. He can still see, feel, smell and hear

everything that happened and when he talks about it you can see a tear in his eye and hear a quiver in his voice.”

“Even something as simple as a song can trigger memories of what happened in 2004.”

“We found him to be a very humble man especially when he talked about his children and how spending time with them in the bush, hunting, horse

riding and enjoying the outdoors, brings him peace.”

Around 14 students from local high schools and six students from Te Kura o Ngā Ruahine Rangi benefitted from the chance to hear Willie speak.

“Waitara High School is very grateful our students were given the opportunity to stand shoulder-toshoulder with a real-life hero,” said Waitara High School principal Daryl Warburton.

“His kōrero inspired them and they were buzzing afterwards. We say a huge thank you to Mr Apiata and Parininihi ki Waitotara for this opportunity.”

“Waitara High School is very grateful our students were given the opportunity to stand shoulder-toshoulder with a real life hero.”

Daryl Warburton

NEW PROCUREMENT POLICY SUPPORTS LOCAL MĀORI ECONOMY

Acknowledging the positive influence Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) can have on Māori economic success is a central pillar of a new procurement and purchasing strategy adopted by the organisation.

“We know that by supporting Taranaki Māori businesses and suppliers we are helping to create a vibrant and financially successful economy for our people,” says Joe Hanita, PKW General Manager Finance and Investments. “It has always been an informal metric over the last few years but now we have elevated it to become a formal objective.”

The new procurement strategy, which has a principal objective to reflect a culture and discipline of ‘value for money’ in support of longterm financial return aspirations and collective Māori economic success,

was developed in the wake of a procurement and purchasing review commissioned by the PKW Board.

“The aim of the review, which was carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) against a best practice model, was to enable us to fully understand the strategic implications of our procurement approach and our purchasing processes,” says Joe.

“It also enabled us to identify what we needed to do to ensure our new strategy was in full alignment with our four values.”

The first of these, Manaakitanga,

ensures that purchasing decisions reflect that goods and services are sustainable and fit for purpose. This approach aims to ensure effective management and therefore minimise waste, unnecessary consumption or inproportionate spend to revenue growth. It will also mean that environmental and/or negative societal impacts are a consideration.

Upholding Kaitiakitanga will call for excellence in following procurement best practice while Whakapono will be reflected by establishing formal arrangements with suppliers for a high proportion of PKW’s expenditure.

Supporting local and national suppliers who align to the kaupapa of PKW will demonstrate Whanaungatanga/ Kotahitanga. This will see 25% of group negotiable expenditure, or $2.5 million per annum, reaching local Māori businesses and suppliers over the next three years. PKW will also work with non-Māori businesses who want to help lift the capacity and capability of Taranaki Māori by supporting initiatives that recognise and enable Māori aspirations.

“We are already seeing evidence of the strategy in action with Meridian Energy offering a joint scholarship

this year through the PKW Trust, along with Marsh Insurance Brokers but with the addition of a potential cadetship. PwC are also looking to provide financial literacy workshops to shareholders in the near future,” says Joe. “The focus here is on building mutually beneficial relationships with those we do business with. Together we can develop the capability of Taranaki Māori in a way that brings opportunities to our shareholders while contributing to the future success of our organisations. It truly is a win:win all round.”

“Defining the strategic approach when

it comes to expenditure recognises that it is more than just the buying and selling of goods and services. It becomes another tool that enables us to reach our strategic aspirations while ensuring that our core values remain at the heart of everything we do.”

*Group Negotiable Expenditure is defined as total expenditure after salaries/wages, staffing related costs, IRD payments, internal payments, depreciation and any other compulsory payments have been made

“Together we can develop the capability of Taranaki Māori in a way that brings opportunities to our shareholders while contributing to the future success of our organisations.”

Joe Hanita

Innovation part of who we are

Taranaki has a long trading history, and this continues to feed our economy and our people. But what has got our region to this point may not be enough to get us where we need to go in the future.

One aspect of Taranaki’s past that has contributed strongly to our current position is our spirit of innovation. It has emerged from necessity, particularly through the growth of our dairy and food production sectors, and more recently also in our pioneering energy sector, and has been developed into some world-leading thinking. While much of this innovation has historically begun in sheds across our region, the ideas that will drive our economy ideas into the future will more likely require a collaborative approach, where innovators can leverage the knowledge and strengths of others to test and develop ideas.

That’s where Venture Taranaki has a role to play. In the last year, we have facilitated a record $3.2 million worth of research and development grants directly into Taranaki businesses, in partnership with Callaghan Innovation, enabling eligible businesses to meet their innovation challenges head on.

We’ve also enabled the people behind that innovation to build their capabilities through the Capability Development Voucher Programme, which can fund up to half the cost of approved training programmes. In the last

year Venture Taranaki issued 249 vouchers, worth more than $400,000 to local businesses, to help them build the skills that they, and our region will need now and in the future.

In the twelve-months to the end of June we also provided 278 free, confidential start-up clinics to local residents with ideas for new businesses, helping them assess their business ideas and plans, and helping them take the next steps towards starting a business.

Underpinning this activity is Tapuae Roa: Make Way for Taranaki, a comprehensive regional economic development strategy and action plan release earlier this year. This document forms the foundations of Venture Taranaki’s work programme over the coming years, and spans future initiatives across the food sector, energy sector, visitor industry and the Māori economy. It’s a strategy built on forward thinking, and its success will be built on partnership, just as Taranaki’s success will be. Read the strategy and action plan at www.makeway.co.nz.

If you’re looking to innovate, or build capabilities to respond to future challenges, Venture Taranaki has a range of programmes available for eligible businesses. To find out how we can help you and your business get ready for the future and be part of our region’s success, talk to one of our Business Advisors now.

Photo: Rach Stewart

NEW FUND OFFERS PKW OPPORTUNITY FOR LARGE-SCALE INVESTMENT

The announcement of the launch of a brand new investment fund signals the initial step of the Parininihi ki Waitotara diversification strategy that will bring high-yielding returns for the organisation into the future.

Te Pūia Tāpapa brings together 26 Māori entities from across New Zealand into a single co-investment fund worth more than $115 million to date. The fund has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NZ Super Fund, committing to a preferred partnership arrangement that gives added leverage when identifying large-scale investment prospects.

The name of the fund, which was chosen with the help of Hemi Sundgren of Te Atiawa, is a concept that has its origins in growing kūmara. A tāpapa (or Pārekereke) is a seed bed used to grow the kūmara tipu. The use of the word ‘Pūia’ in this context takes on the meaning to cluster or bunch up. In essence, Te Pūia Tāpapa symbolises a cluster of seed beds used to grow kūmara.

“The creation of the fund has involved collaboration between many different Māori organisations to create a single vehicle that will seek out large-scale investment opportunities that would not otherwise be avaliable to us,” says

Joe Hanita, PKW General Manager Finance and Investments. “It is 100% owned and 100% controlled by Māori, with each member reflecting similiar aspirations when it comes to environmental, social, cultural and econcomic values.

“This alignment across our values set will continue when it comes to the types of investments the fund makes.”

PKW’s stake in Te Pūia Tāpapa stands at around $2 million and represents the first manifestation of the diversification strategy for the organisation that includes identifying collective investment vehicles.

“This is a tangible outcome of the work we have been doing in this area as part of our big picture and journey moving forward,” says Joe. “While it is a modest investment to start, it represents a big step forward in the way PKW will manage its assets in the future, alongside our other strategic focus areas such as our developing property portfolio.”

PKW was an active participant in

the conversations leading up to the formation of the fund and Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua, Chair of the PKW Committee of Management, is also a director on the Te Pūia Tāpapa Board.

Potential investment opportunities for the fund are to be investigated over the next six to 12 months, along with similar mutually beneficial arrangements with other large NZ investors that reflect a similar investment approach and take a longterm view when it comes to return potential.

“This is an exciting step forward in putting our diversification strategy into action. Investment into the future success of other businesses and organisations across Aotearoa will help ensure the future success and growth of PKW,” says Warwick TauwhareGeorge, PKW CEO. “I am also looking forward to the potential opportunities and conversations being part of Te Pūia Tāpapa will bring us. This is just the start of a journey that will see our core strategic vision come to fruition.”

I would like to invite every registered owner to complete this year’s owner survey.

We conducted a survey last year and your feedback helped us to understand what was important to you. We’re interested to see if your expectations are the same or have changed, so let’s embark on another conversation.

The survey closes on 22 December 2018 and the team will analyse the results in time for the strategic workshops that will be held in February next year. The results will then

SHAREHOLDER SURVEY IT’S TIME TO HAVE YOUR SAY

be published in an issue of the Whenua Magazine.

You can complete the survey enclosed in this issue of Whenua, go to our website and complete online or scan the QR code below. If you need more space to comment, please complete the online version.

Every completed survey by a registered shareholder goes in to a prize draw. There are two $250 prizes to be won.

There are five sections and a total of 17 tick

box questions, with the option to provide more detailed answers if needed. The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

Nā Darryn Ratana

Ngaa Rauru Shareholder Representative to the PKW Trust

ONLINE SURVEY

Visit: pkw.co.nz/2018survey or scan the QR code

2018 Shareholder Survey

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

1. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements:

I know and understand what is going on at PKW

I would like to know more about what is happening at PKW

I am happy to read PKW magazine online and do not need a printed copy

I am happy to read the Annual Report online and do not need a printed copy

I understand what the financial information in the Annual Report means and am confident to explain this to friends.

2. What information would you like to know more about? Please rank 1 - 6 in order of preference, with 1 being your most preferred and 6 your least preferred

Leadership Financial Investments

PKW Trust Grants & Scholarships

Environmental Issues

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Is there any other information relating to PKW that you would like to know more about?

3. How do you currently receive information about PKW? Select all applicable methods

Email Phone

PKW magazine Annual Report

Other (please state)

PKW website

Attendance at AGM and hui

4. How would you prefer to be kept informed about PKW? Please rank 1 - 6 in order of preference, with 1 being your most preferred and 6 your least preferred

Email Phone

PKW Whenua magazine

Attendance at AGM and hui

PKW website

Facebook

Are there any other methods of communication that you would like PKW to use to keep you and your whanau informed?

5. How often would you prefer to receive information from PKW? Please select one option only

Monthly Bi-Monthly

Half-Yearly Yearly

Quarterly

Other (please state)

MANAGING SHARES

6. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statement:

PKW should establish a minimum threshold for owning PKW shares. Therefore, five shares or less cannot be divided any further, and would go into a whānau trust.

7. A missing shareholder is someone without contact details. The dividend for these shareholders is held until such time that they or their legal successors connect with us. Some shareholders have been missing since PKW started in 1976 and have never claimed their dividend. What do you think PKW should or could do in these situations?

Please Comment:

PERFORMANCE AND PRIORITIES

8. Please rate these statements in order of importance with 1 being the most important.

Kaitiaki: PKW will leave the land in a better condition

Leadership: PKW practices and contributes to the leadership of Taranaki Māori

Support: PKW provides benefits and financial dividends to owners

Cultural identity: PKW is a vehicle for reasserting our cultural identity

Education, marae, community: PKW supports Taranaki whānau through education scholarships and grants to marae and the community

Employment: PKW develops and employs our people

Please Comment:

9. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements:

I am happy with PKW’s strategy focusing on diversification, production, value and shareholder connection.

I know why PKW has debt

I am comfortable with the strategies in place to make sure the level of debt does not put PKW assets at risk

10. Please rate our performance:

Agriculture and farming

Managing commercial properties

Fishing and crayfish

Forestry

Māori development, grants and scholarship

Additional Comments about our performance:

CONNECTION TO OUR WHENUA

11. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements:

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

I feel connected to the land within PKW

I would like to be able to access the land more often

12. Why might you like to access the land more often? Please rank 1 - 3 in order of preference, with 1 being your most preferred and 3 your least preferred

To visit Wāhi Tapu

To collect Kai

To collect flax and other fibers for weaving

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Are there any other reasons why you might like to access the land more often?

Additional comments relating to connection to our whenua

13. PKW owns 20,000 hectares of ancestral land with perpetual leases. Sometimes a lessee sells their lease and PKW has the first right to buy the lease or not. Sometimes, it makes sense to sell the lease (not the land) knowing that PKW retains the first right to buy back when it comes up for sale in the future. How do you feel about these two statements:

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

That ancestral land should not be sold

That leases attached to ancestral land be sold because PKW still owns the land

14. PKW has also purchased general land which is not ancestral land. Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements:

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

PKW should not sell any land

Selling land is ok, provided it’s not ancestral land

If selling general land, the sale should grow the business, or pay off debt

15. When a profit is made, we must decide how that profit is used. What do you prefer? Please rank 1 - 4 in order of preference, with 1 being your most preferred and 4 your least preferred

Re-investment: grow the business, make more money and provide employment

Debt repayment: reduce debt and interest costs

Dividend payment: provide a greater return to shareholders

Provided to the PKW Trust: to distribute through grants

16. How do feel about receiving a reduced dividend to grow the business, repay debt and support the PKW Trust

Please Comment:

Are there any other areas you would like to see PKW allocate profit to?

17. Would you consider donating all or part of your dividend to the PKW Trust to support its scholarship and grants programme?

Thank you for taking part in our survey.

Draw Entry - Terms & Conditions

Entry is open to shareholders of PKW. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Survey must be completed and received in our office before 22 December 2018 to be eligible for entry to the draw.

There are two prizes of $250 each. The winners will be drawn by random selection and will be notified by email or phone. Judges determination of winner is final. No correspondence will be entered into.

The winners agree to their name being published in a future edition of Whenua magazine.

I acknowledge and accept the terms and conditions.

To enter the draw to win $250, please complete your details below and remove survey pages from the magazine. Fold along the dotted lines, seal into the free post envelope and pop into an NZ Post mailbox for collection. All entries must be received by 22 December 2018.

First Name

Last Name

Shareholder Number

Email address

Contact Phone

Freepost Authority Number 238821

Parininihi Ki Waitotara Incorporation

The gold award accolade, received at the World Steak Challenge in July, was the first time a New Zealand company had won an award at the competition, which drew entries from 22 countries covering 35 breeds. The competition has run since 2014.

“It is the first time any of our beef, raised on our green pastures under Maunga Taranaki, has won an award so we are proud of that,” says Shane Miles, PKW’s General Manager of Ahuwhenua. “We’re also proud of our on-farm kaimahi, as this reinforces the work they are doing to care for the animals, the environment and quality of the product we supply.”

The competition is designed to benchmark the quality of beef production across international

PKW BEEF GETS GOLD AWARD

best restaurants, sold in exclusive stores, and judged worthy of the gold medal, the whakapapa of the Wagyu animal began at PKW’s Farm 29 at Mawhitiwhiti Road in Normandy run by Jon Smyth.

suppliers, establishing a quality mark of excellence.

PKW’s Wagyu beef is sent to First Light Foods, which exports and markets the product overseas.

PKW and First Light entered into their business relationship five years ago, driven by common principles over farming practices and shareholder values.

“Maximising profitability of the farming business is a key focus, but we do this in line with our kaitiaki responsibilities and our guiding principles of He Tangata, He Whenua, He Orangasustaining and growing our people through prosperity,” says Shane.

Prior to being served on the fine dining plates of some of the world’s

From there, the animal was taken down the road to Farm One at Little Tempsky Road (the Calf Rearing Unit) run by Nigel Bright, before going to be finished at Farm 33 at Kupara Road in Ratapiko run by Geoff Robertson.

First Light director Jason Ross said to have a New Zealand beef product recognised internationally was tremendous.

“Taranaki has some of the very best growing conditions. The world needs to know that.”

“Grass-fed Wagyu is the king of beef and that’s something we are proud to share in the success of with PKW and their farmers.”

Overseas, a Wagyu steak can sell for between $200 to $500 New Zealand dollars.

A Wagyu steak from an animal born and raised on Parininihi ki Waitotara whenua under the gaze of Maunga Taranaki, has been judged as one of the best in the world.

TE RURU BRINGS COMMUNITY TOGETHER

A new name for a Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) farm brought a community together on a South Taranaki marae in celebration and friendship.

Te Ruru is now the new name of the 298-hectare PKW farm in Ōhangai District, gifted by the people of Tūwhakaehu, hapū of Ngāti Ruanui. The property was known previously as Farm 2.

PKW collaborated with the people of Meremere Marae to identify the new moniker for the dairy farm located in their tribal area.

“It has been an aspiration of PKW to be able to give our farms Māori names, so the purchase of land next to this farm gave us the opportunity to extend it and rename it,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “One of our core strategies is to promote history, culture and identity, and this is one way we are aiming to achieve this strategy.”

“PKW are fortunate to have been hosted by Meremere for some of our events and activities over the last six months, including a meeting we had with leaders from Waikato as well as a staff wānanga so our farmers could

learn about the importance of local wāhi tapu and history.”

“We are pleased that Meremere has embraced this relationship and grateful of the support from Te Poihi,” he added.

Te Poihi Campbell from Tūwhakaehu led the discussions among the marae whānau about the new name.

“The name has meanings of guardianship, of protection and it also gives recognition to our links to Parihaka,” he says. “We have a saying that says ‘ko te ruru taipō te kaitiaki

“The name [Te Ruru] has meanings of guardianship, of protection and it also gives recognition to our links to Parihaka.”

Te Poihi Campbell

o tai awatea’ which talks about the ruru being a spiritual bird that is the significant guardian of this area.”

“When you come to our marae, you will see the eyes of the ruru on the two amo of our meeting house.”

Te Poihi said that after speaking with kuia at the marae about a name, the manu ruru came to mind straight away.

“The word ruru in the commonly used phrase ‘whakaruruhau’ also means protector, ‘ he explains. “At Parihaka there was also a council house that belonged to Tohu Kākahi which was called Tapuae Haruru.”

“The people of our marae have a strong history with our whanaunga in Parihaka, so the name serves to remind us, and our future generations, of who we are.”

Te Poihi said Meremere was acknowledged by many others in Taranaki as the spiritual marae of the rohe.

“The ruru, our kaitiaki, resides in the spiritual world and can’t be seen during the day. The kaitiaki works diligently and quietly but it is still and always there.”

And working ‘diligently and quietly’ is the approach Tūwhakaehu are taking to bring their community closer together.

“Our people have been here forever. We see people come and go, we see our neighbours drive past but we don’t know them, so having a ceremony to announce the new name gave us an opportunity to bring the wider community together for the first time to our marae,” says Te Poihi.

Since the closure of the local school

Above: The naming of Farm 2 enabled the community to connect in the spirit of celebration

Far left: Previous owner Jo Williams is welcomed by Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement.

Left: Eleanor Ratana plants a tree and Jo Williams places two stones to mark the 30 years she has spent on the farm.

five years ago, there has been a need to create a new space where the community can gather.

“I ended up knocking at the doors of all 30 neighbours to invite them to the ceremony because seeing a friendly face would have been more effective than sending them a letter,” adds Te

“I was surprised to learn that most of them didn’t know each other, had never met one another before.”

“Our neighbours come from all backgrounds and cultures - Canada, the Philippines, England and Holland.”

“The great majority of them came to the ceremony at our marae, not only because they were interested in the new name for the farm, but to meet their neighbours and it was great to see our marae bring them all together for the first time.”

Te Poihi said the people of the marae were grateful to PKW for the opportunity to name the whenua.

“We are very pleased that PKW

were open to helping us achieve our aspirations to make our marae a space for everyone in our communityMāori and non-Māori,” he says.

“There have been kaupapa that have been divisive in Taranaki, especially in recent years.”

“But in small communities like ours there are pockets of people trying to come together for common causes.”

“Our neighbours care for the health and wellbeing of the land, the maunga and waterways, which came across very clearly when we got to talk with them at the ceremony.”

“Everyone wants clean water and healthy bird populations.”

Poihi

“It has been an aspiration of PKW to be able to give our farms Māori names...”

Mitchell Ritai

Those common causes are now allowing the people of Meremere Marae to build a rapport and relationship with others in the community.

“We are working together and along the way we are becoming closer and starting to care about each other more.”

“We are in a new post settlement age. And it does help that we have a younger community willing to open themselves to a new world view and be kaitiaki for this area.”

The ceremony also gave PKW and the people of the marae the opportunity to acknowledge the previous owner of the farm, Jo Williams.

“We wanted to ensure a special place had been given to Jo in the ceremony, so it was good to see her and her whanau there to plant something permanent on the land before leaving,” says Te Poihi.

“Jo spent more than 30 years of her life on the farm and we were so pleased to see that she was happy that the land had gone back to tangata whenua.”

PKW took over the ownership of the farm on July 1 this year.

Above: PKW and Williams whānau come together at Te Ruru.

SCHOLAR HAS VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Supporting students who have dreams and determination in equal measure is a key component of the PKW-Ravensdown Scholarship, and this year’s recipient has both these qualities in abundance.

Taiawhio Waipoua-Bryers wants to combine sustainable environmental solutions with mātauranga Māori to bring innovation to how whenua is managed so it can be protected for the future generations to come.

“I feel a strong sense of kaitiakitanga towards the land and the environment,” he says. “I am studying to learn more about the science of sustainability and environmental management so that I can combine it with my cultural heritage and knowledge to bring the two perspectives together.”

“Conserving the integrity of the land in a way that upholds the indigenous rights of my people will be a very important aspect of my work and career.”

Taiawhio is studying for a Bachelor of Science (Technology) degree at Waikato University, majoring in Environmental Science and Māori and Indigenous studies and was inspired to follow this direction in his life by his koroheke, Graeme Kilgour.

“Koro worked in Forestry and had a lifelong passion for the bush. He really fostered that love of nature and the environment in me from a young age,” he says. “I would like to acknowledge the huge role he plays in my life. I would also like to acknowledge my kuikui, Ann Kilgour, who is a PKW shareholder, and my family for always supporting me.”

Taiawhio’s vision and aspirations for his life’s work made him a stand out candidate to receive the scholarship, according to Gordon McCormick, Ravensdown Training Manager and Mentor.

“His values of ensuring agricultural sustainability and environmental responsibility in a sector that faces ever increasing challenges are also ones that we hold strongly here at Ravensdown,” Gordon says. “This scholarship helps us to identify

people who are going to make a real contribution to the agribusiness industry in the future and I think Taiawhio is going to be a major success story.”

The scholarship, worth $5000 towards study fees, also offers an opportunity to Taiawhio to spend time at Ravensdown to gain real industry experience in his chosen field.

“I am very much looking forward to the opportunity to go and kōrero with people who have an environmental and agricultural mindset like mine,” he says. “I want to be able to build strong connections with both Ravensdown and PKW so that one day I can go and give back to them for making this opportunity possible for me.”

This is the third year the PKWRavensdown scholarship, for whānau of PKW shareholders undertaking undergraduate study in agriculture,

horticulture, science or environmentalbased degrees where stewardship of the land is a key component of study, has been awarded and Gordon says the relationship between the two organisations is growing in strength.

“From our perspective, providing opportunities in partnership with PKW continues to build on the connection we have through our aligned business values and environmental focus,” he adds. “Investing in the future of the industry is important to us both and this scholarship enables us to work together towards a shared goal.”

“Conserving the integrity of the land in a way that upholds the indigenous rights of my people will be a very important aspect of my work and career.”

Taiawhio Waipoua-Bryers

BUILDING FUTURE OPPORTUNITY WITH A VALUE-ADD APPROACH

Hoani Komene Priest still can’t quite believe that he is the one who will benefit from a new apprenticeship placement arranged by PKW.

“This is a real chance for me to build a proper career and a future for myself,” he says. “This sort of opportunity doesn’t come along very often so I am just so stoked that they chose me.”

The four-year apprenticeship at KO Design Building Services incorporating GJ Gardner Homes will see him developing his skills on-site, learning from qualified builders, as well as hitting the books which will all lead to a Certificate in Carpentry qualification.

Owner Ben Hawke is delighted to have Hoani on board and says for him it’s an opportunity to give back both to PKW and the building industry. The business has held a long-standing relationship with the organisation of more than 20 years, building dairy sheds on PKW farms across Taranaki.

“It’s been something that we have talked about in the past and I am really pleased that PKW have taken me up on the offer,” says Ben. “The opportunity is a sign of the value in which PKW are held, not only by my company, but by the region as a whole.”

“Taking on an apprentice is a real responsibility but one I am privileged to have. I look forward to seeing Hoani

grow and learn during his time with us.”

The offer arose out of the need to build a new home on Farm 3 and was included as part of Ben’s tender for the job.

“This is a great example of our new procurement strategy having a positive impact for the organisation and Taranaki Māori by encouraging our suppliers to add value,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “It also shows that we have heard the voices of our owners, asking us to provide more employment opportunities for our whānau.”

PKW reached out to Māori Pasifika Trades Training in Taranaki to select suitable candidates, before Hoani was offered the opportunity.

“It was pretty nerve-wracking,” says Hoani. “I had to answer some pretty hard questions. Now I am determined to work really hard, learn as much as I can and get qualified so that maybe one day I can be in the position to offer something similar to someone else.”

Ben was impressed by both the candidates but said that Hoani’s

motivation and desire to be part of the building industry really stood out.

“I can teach skills but I can’t teach motivation,” he says. “Hoani has been trying to progress his building career for a while after completing entry-level training at WITT and that tenacity really stood out.”

“The whole experience of working with PKW in this way has been so positive and I would really like to be able to do it again in a few years’ time.”

Previous page: Hoani Komene Priest with the owner of KO Design Building Services incorporating GJ Gardner Homes, Ben Hawke.

Left & Right: Hoani on his first day of work.

“This is a great example of our new procurement strategy having a positive impact for the organisation and Taranaki Māori by encouraging our suppliers to add value.”

Mitchell Ritai

“This is a real chance for me to build a proper career and a future for myself.”

Hoani Komene Priest

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS WITH SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT

Scholarship applications for the 2019 academic year open in December, and there are more opportunities on offer for tertiary students to receive financial assistance with their studies.

Two new scholarships have been established in partnership with Marsh Insurance Brokers and Meridian Energy and a summer internship is also on offer from financial services consultancy KPMG.

“These scholarships are a clear example of the benefits of building strong partnerships with our suppliers,” says Mitchell Ritai, General Manager Shareholder Engagement. “Facilitating opportunities for Taranaki Māori to reach their aspirational goals and realise their potential is an important strategic focus for us as an organisation.”

The five tertiary scholarships are worth from $1500 for a single academic year to $5000 each year over a period of three years. The PKWRavensdown Scholarship and two PKW-Ballance Scholarships are open to undergradutes while two jointly

funded PKW-Victoria University of Wellington Scholarships are open to postgraduate students currently studying at the institution. Changes have been made to the way applicants access information about what scholarships are on offer and the application process with the introduction of a central scholarship portal.

Launched late last year, the Community Grants Force Portal centralises grants and scholarships from PKW, the Bashford-Nicholls Trust and Te Karaka Foundation and hopes to encourage other funding entities to be included.

“We learned that applicants were finding it hard to find out about all the different scholarships and grants that they may be eligible for, so decided to create a central point to make access easier for our people in the

form of an online portal,” says Mitchell. “Functionality within the portal has also meant we have gained efficiencies within the application process for us as administrators as well as for applicants themselves.”

A survey of successful grant recipients who used the portal this year showed that they found completing the online applications straight-forward and that the process was much easier than previous years. It can be accessed through the PKW website or by going to taranakischolarships. communityforce.com

“PKW encourage any whānau who are finishing secondary school this year and looking for support to allow them to continue with their studies to visit the portal and discover what opportunities are open to them,” says Mitchell. “We are looking forward to receiving their applications.”

2019 TERTIARY GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS OPENS 10 DECEMBER 2018

PKW Tertiary Grants & Scholarships Overview

Scholarship Name Overview of Scholarship & Criteria Value Period Charles Bailey Scholarship 1 x Postgraduate only. Studies must contribute to PKW business activities and recipient must be available to PKW throughout the term of the scholarship. Full or part time students.

Postgraduate Scholarships (Edward Tamati, Gloria Kerehoma, Mate ki Tawhiti Carr)

3 x Postgraduate only. Studies must contribute to PKW business activities. Full or part time students.

Undergraduate Scholarships 5 x Undergraduate only. Can study in any area. Full time students only.

Tertiary Grants Can study in any field at any level including trades and apprenticeships. Full or part time students. The value of these grants is variable and dependent on the number of applications received

Internships and Joint Scholarships Overview

$7,500 per year 3 years maximum

3 x $5,000 per year 3 years maximum

5 x $2,000 per year 3 years maximum

Varies per year 1 year

x

only, funded by Ravensdown. Studies must align to PKW and Ravensdown business activities and recipient has opportunity for internship. Full time students only. Only one recipient at any time.

Go to our website at pkw.co.nz to apply online from 10 December 2018.

x Internship per year 1 year