WHENUA Issue 10

DEVELOPING WAGYU

& Pae nga-whAw hA 2014 issue

THE LAND AQUISITION PROCESS

INTRODUCING NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AISHA ROSS

+ HALF YEARLY AGM NOTICES IRON MĀORI TARANAKI

Look beyond the obvious to grow With farmers around Te Maunga factoring record dairy prices into their budgets and business plans for the year ahead, now is a great opportunity to look further down the track so hay can still be made even if the sun stops shining.

While the pay-out is positive news for many in our region’s economy and will spread throughout Taranaki’s business community it is also a reminder of the natural fluctuations that occur in any commodity-based trading.

Taking a strategic approach to land use can help to insulate our rural businesses from such fluctuations, and a report recently released by Venture Taranaki could offer some ideas for our rural businesses to do this.

Venture Taranaki commissioned Lincoln University to identify a number of future paths for Taranaki’s horticultural sector. The report found that while the sector has got smaller over recent years, despite our rich soil and warm climate, there are two potentially lucrative crops that could make good use of marginal land or be grown alongside existing farming operations.

“It is widely acknowledged that you can grow almost anything in Taranaki, but in reality competing land use demands and commercial viability have challenged the region’s horticultural sector,” says Venture Taranaki Chief Executive Stuart Trundle.

“One of the roles of a regional development agency is to identify and investigate new opportunities to rebuild this potentially innovative and valuable sector and that is what our team has done in this report.”

Lincoln University researchers reviewed the historic development of horticulture in Taranaki and found that the biggest challenges to its growth were strong competing sectors, balancing lifestyle and commercial drivers, limited access to infrastructure, and high land prices reflecting the value of land for dairying.

Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency 9 Robe Street, New Plymouth, 06 759 5150, info@venture.org.nz www.taranaki.info

The report identifies two emerging industries that offer diversification opportunities.

The growth of Manuka, for the production of Manuka honey, will tap into strong global demand for this ‘super-honey’.

Certain strains of the New Zealand Manuka bush produce honey naturally richer in anti-bacterial properties, sought after for medicinal use.

The Manuka industry offers Taranaki landowners an opportunity to move into a high value land use that could make back-country or historically less-productive blocks commercially viable, leading to jobs and a diversified income stream.

Industrial hemp was also identified as a potential revenue stream. This ancient crop has none of the drug properties of its well-known illicit cousin, and produces an oil and fibre which can be used to make anything from cloth to food to medicine to houses.

There are already several growers of industrial hemp in Taranaki and the region is at the forefront of developments utilising hemp in the construction of houses - hemp is hypo-allergenic and has very high insulating and noise reducing properties.

Industrial hemp can be grown in rotation with other crops, though its growth requires licensing under the Ministry of Health.

Ensuring Taranaki retains its position at the front of the national economy will require us, as a region, to look at all options for maintaining our momentum. This report, available from Venture Taranaki – co-located with Parininihi ki Waitotara at Robe Street, New Plymouth - or at www.taranaki.info/business is part of the regional development strategy that could help our land and businesses remain strong for our mokopuna.

Venture

TARANAKI Te Puna Umanga

Tena koutou te whānau whānui o Parininihi ki Waitotara With planning underway for our half yearly shareholders meeting we are promoting in this issue a number of important matters that overlap, one being about online voting and the resolution that will need to be considered by shareholders. The other is promoting the Committee of Management vacancies that may require a vote at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday 1st November 2014.

Hosting the half yearly and annual general meeting at marae within Taranaki has been a conscious decision made by the Committee of Management to demonstrate their focus on transparency and engagement with their shareholders.

Whenua is pleased to now profile all marae we will be hosted at for our hui and for this issue it is

Muru Raupatu in Bell Block, north Taranaki. We recognise that our agenda does not always allow for our shareholders who might be attending that marae for the first time, namely as waewae tapū, the opportunity to know the history and association to PKW and its shareholders. We hope our brief profile gives a little more insight into the importance of these places within our rohe.

Familiarising our shareholders with our new staff, our new Associate Director, 2010 Charles Bailey scholarship recipient and 2013 sponsored Taranaki Arts Awards recipient also allows us to share our stories and celebrate our successes.

We are also profiling a couple of significant events we have been party to, either as a result of growing our own capacity, or by way of sponsorship. Sadly while engaged in one of those events, eg Taranaki Iron Māori, kaumatua Pue (Barry) Whakaruru passed away and we

acknowledge the significance of his loss.

Hoki atu ra e te rangatira.

Lastly, we continue to stretch our thinking about how to relate to our readers the complexities of our business. This issue provides more background on our land acquisition agenda and the environment within which we must operate and to a degree it is quite apt to feature Muru Raupatu. Nevertheless we welcome feedback and advice on the issues you would like us to present which continue to be relevant to our long term vision and strategy and add more to your basket of knowledge.

Please also feel free to let us know if you or any of your whanau appear in our photographic collages as we aren't always able to identify the faces.

No reira

whenua Congratulates Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd (featured in Whenua Issue 8) named as finalist for the 2014 Ahu Whenua Awards

Anne-Marie Broughton (Farm Consultant) and Philip Luscombe (Director)

To receive a hard copy of the 2014 Annual Report, you must now order a copy.

electronic copy will be available on our website so you can still access the information.

relationship with and provide information on those who received a scholarship or grant from PKW Trust.

Unfortunately many of these reports are returned as Shareholders relocate and forget to send through their new address. It is even more expensive when reports are returned after being sent to an overseas address.

What’s in the Annual Report?

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

Therefore we have decided to only send a report to Shareholders who order one. The good news is that an 02 | WHAKAMANA

The report explains how well the Incorporation and the PKW Trust performed from 1 July 2013 – 30 June 2014. Reports from both Chairs, the CEO along with the audited statements are included. We also introduce those organisations we have developed a strategic

The annual report is a snapshot of PKW, Shareholders and the Taranaki community into a single document

CONTENTS

14

Reporting on progress with the land management strategy

WHAKAMANA

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NEW ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

16 FIRST LIGHT WAGYU An exciting new initiative that presents a great international market opportunity

Introducing Aisha Ross the latest edition to the Committee of Management

YEARLY SHAREHOLDERS 07 1/2 MEETING AGENDA AND NOTICE

Note also the separate booklet

ĀWHINA

BAILEY 18 CHARLES SCHOLARSHIP Recipient Dennis Ngāwhare updates progress since completing his PhD research

ONLINE VOTING 08 RESOLUTION An important resolution for shareholders consideration

09

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Advice on the pending vacancies for the Committee of Management

10 WHENUA MAGAZINE Editor Dion Tuuta Deputy Editor Amokura Panoho Creative Director Kristy Ramage Photography Quentin Bedwell Graphic Design iStudios Multimedia

ISTUDIOS 77B Devon Street East, New Plymouth.

Telephone +64 (6) 758 1863 Email info@istudios.co.nz www.istudios.co.nz

Introducing Chris Paterson the latest staff recruit PĀKIHI

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YOUTH TO WORK AWARDS PKW Community Development Manager Allie Hemara-Wahanui reports on this Award presented to Taratahi

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA Postal PO Box 241, New Plymouth 4340 Physical Taranaki House, 109 Devon Street West, New Plymouth 4310 Telephone +64 (6) 769 9373 Fax +64 (6) 757 4206 Email office@pkw.co.nz www.pkw.co.nz

NEW STAFF

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PKW MEGA RESERVE Understanding the Reserve environment and the legislative constraints

FARM ACQUISITION

21

SCHOLARSHIP TAKES STRESS OUT OF STUDY Acushla O'Carroll completes her PhD

ARTS AWARDS 22 TARANAKI PKW Award recipient Todd Sheridan talks about his winning Art works

24 2014 IRON MĀORI

Celebrating this amazing event that PKW is proud to sponsor

MĀTAURANGA

RAUPATU PROFILE 28 MURU We profile this marae which will host the half yearly meeting of shareholders

31 2013 TARANAKI TŪ MAI Acknowledging another successful event that PKW sponsors.

new associate director AISHA ROSS Aisha Ross, newly appointed Associate Director, is of Ngā Ruahine, Ngāti Ruanui and Taranaki Iwi descent. He attributes his deep desire to serve and become a role model to the influence of his grandmother and his experiences as a father.

“My grandmother Rangimaimaiao Ross, who is a PKW shareholder and a past trustee at Wai-o-kura Marae, is my role model. Growing up she was always strong in her beliefs about retaining our whenua; that land retention is integral to our wellbeing and to become educated. As I’ve been increasing my participation in Māori development I’ve come to appreciate Nan’s principals more and more.”

One of his educational achievements has been a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies through Waikato University. True to his desire to lead out and be an example, he graduated in 2008 through the support of his partner Davina and their combined family of six children, all watching him set goals, work, study and make them happen.

“As a father, being a positive role model is extremely important and something that I continue to try and do every day.

This appointment allows me to build on this for my children and my whānau whānui.”

Born in Australia, he returned home to settle in Palmerston North as a child with his mother, Vivienne and his younger brother, Karlin. He’s grateful to have been “one of the ones to come home” when so many Māori move across the ditch and don’t come back. He recognises that loss and so, he has been contributing to Māori development all of his adult life through

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“ Becoming an associate

director is a personal achievement I am proud of as it provides me with the opportunity to be able to make a positive contribution to the development of PKW

”

“

As I’ve been increasing my participation in Māori development I’ve come to appreciate Nan’s principals more and more. ”

WHAKAMANA | 05

roles with Te Puni Kokiri, CanTeen, Te Wananga o Aotearoa and as a consultant across a range of hapū, iwi and other not-for-profit organisations.

“I’m passionate about Māori advancement and have had the benefit of working in environments where there was an emphasis on developing Māori capability and that provided me with a strong grounding in building relationships, as well as governance and management”, says Aisha.

He and Davina, along with business partner Jarel Phillips, have established an exciting consultancy that passionately provides Māori marketing, brand identity, design, and communications for an eclectic range of clients. He thrives on the challenges of each new project and finds opportunities to grow throughout.

“These experiences have been important to allow me to increase my own personal capability and enabled me to make a productive contribution to the development of my own iwi.”

Now as a director for Ngāruahine Fisheries Ltd and a Trustee on the Palmerston North Māori Reserves Trust Aisha is pleased his continued interest in the Associate Director role has resulted in his successful nomination onto the PKW Committee of Management.

“Becoming an associate director is a personal achievement I am proud of as it provides me with the opportunity to be able to make a positive contribution to the development of PKW that I believe exemplifies Māori economic success. A key driver for me is getting a better understanding of the incorporation, its business and investment strategies and how it provides for our people”, says Aisha.

As a staunch believer in the practice of helping people up rather than helping people out, Aisha feels that

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the life lessons he has had along the way have prepared him to be resilient and at the same time optimistic. This is reflected in the consulting work he undertakes where he is advising on how best to showcase and promote brand Māori. He recognises the value that exists and wants to see that nurtured and elevated.

pleased to know that growing the capability of Taranaki whānui is an important part of the Trust’s strategic direction.

“2014 is promising to be a good year”, reflects Aisha. “I’m heading in the direction I always aspired to go and that has to be good for me, my whānau and hopefully the incorporation. I’m truly grateful for this He sees the work of the PKW Trust as an important contributor to positive opportunity.” collaborative engagements and is

“ As a father, being a positive role model is extremely important and something that I continue to try and do every day ”

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA

Half yearly general meeting

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the half yearly meeting of Shareholders and Beneficiaries will be held at Muru Raupatu Marae, Te Arei Road West, Bell Block, Taranaki on Saturday, 3 May 2014 8.00am

Powhiri and registrations

9.00am

Meeting commences

Business 1 Apologies 2.

Special Resolution

3.

Presentation on Performance to 31 December 2013

4. General Business __________________________________________________________________

PKW Shareholder Farm Tour A bus tour of PKW’s Drystock farm is being organised following the 2014 Half Yearly meeting.

This year the farm tour will visit the new drystock farm on Otaraoa Road, Tikorangi.

Those shareholders wishing to visit the farm need to book a seat by contacting Caroline Waiwiri at the PKW office office@pkw.co.nz or 0800 - 759 462 (PKW Inc) by Monday 28 April 2014.

The tour will be dependent on bookings received.

D Tuuta SECRETARY

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SPECIAL RESOLUTION NO.1 ONLINE VOTING • Postal votes to be cast by Section 23 of the Regulations set out the process for electing members to the electronic means; and In 2012 shareholders passed a special Committee of Management. resolution allowing for shareholders • Votes to be cast on resolutions The Committee of Management is of the to cast votes on decisions by way of at meetings of shareholders by view that the Regulations as currently postal vote. electronic means. constituted can be further improved to The Committee of Management now encourage shareholder participation The procedures in relation to such proposes that shareholders approve in decision-making through allowing electronic voting shall be those an extension to the definition of postal shareholders the option of electronic required by law (if any) together with voting to allow for electronic voting. voting. any other procedures determined Allowing more modern methods of by the Committee of Management.

The Committee has unanimously voting allows greater opportunity for resolved to seek shareholder approval If the Committee of Management all PKW shareholders to participate in to amend the Regulations by way of permits electronic voting in decisions requiring shareholder approval special resolution in accordance with accordance with this clause, such regardless of their location. Electronic section 4 of the Regulations. The electronic votes may be cast voting means shareholders can vote explanatory note which accompanies notwithstanding any other provision quickly and efficiently no matter where the Notice of Meeting sets out further of this Constitution” in the world they live. background.

The above extends the postal voting Online voting is particularly relevant The following special resolutions procedure provided for in Rule 20 of the for non-NZ resident shareholders who have been proposed by shareholders Constitution to allow for electronic or continue to take an active interest Taaringaroa Nicholas and David internet voting. Shareholders approved in their Incorporation and wish to MacLeod for consideration at the Half the use of postal voting in 2012 to participate more easily in its decisionYearly Meeting of Shareholders to be improve the options for shareholders making processes. held on 3 May 2014. to participate in shareholder decisionmaking processes.

Should the option of electronic voting be “THAT the Constitution of the approved it will be provided in addition Incorporation be added to by the to the current postal voting option. It inclusion of the following clause to will not replace the postal voting option be numbered 20A and to be headed or voting in person or by proxy on the Electronic Votes and to read as day of shareholder meetings. follows: BACKGROUND

PROCESS PKW is governed in accordance with the Māori Incorporations Constitution Regulations 1994 (the Regulations).

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To the extent permitted by law the Committee of Management may permit, in relation to any meeting of shareholders

Nominations for the Committee of Management are now open and close on Friday, 29 August 2014.

Tokatumoana Walden, Tokorangi Kapea and Taaringaroa Nicholas are retiring by rotation and eligible for re-election. Both Tokatumoana and Taaringaroa have indicated that they will be seeking re-election. Tokorangi has served three terms and has decided not to seek re-election so in the next issue of Whenua we will interview Toko where he will give his view on what it takes to be a PKW Director, his experiences and learnings.

Committee of Management are elected

by Shareholders and are responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Incorporation. They are also responsible for monitoring how the strategy is being implemented.

Between now and the August closing date you may know someone who has the skills and expertise for this Directorship, and they may be interested in standing. This is an opportune time to give this some consideration and to have that discussion with them.

Nominations must be made using the official nomination form which is signed by both the proposing shareholder and the candidate. The nomination form must also include a recent digital photo and personal statement (200 word maximum) explaining why they are seeking election to the Committee of Management as well as skills and experience.

Nomination forms must be received at the PKW Office, P O Box 241, New Plymouth 4340 before 5.00 pm on Friday, 29 August 2014. Nominations may also be received by facsimile (06 757 4206) or email (office@pkw.co.nz).

If after the closing date more than three nominations are received then Electionz (the independent returning officer) will manage the election process and send voting papers to all Shareholders with current addresses.

The results will then be announced at the AGM on Saturday, 1 November 2014.

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NEW DRYSTOCK FARM MANAGER CHRIS PATERSON As PKW grows its dry stock operations across its farms it is also growing its personnel to manage these assets.

The latest to join the ranks is Taranaki born and bred Chris Paterson who is presently managing Farm 22 on Otaraoa Road, Tikorangi.

The farm itself has just recently come into the PKW farm management portfolio after being initially leased out and run as a Sheep and Beef Farm.

Now with a May – May season being implemented Chris is busy managing around 500 stock to supply the Dairy Farms.

Being back in Tikorangi is great for Chris who initially grew up in South Taranaki but moved to the area as a teenager where his father was a 50/50 sharemilker and went to Waitara High School.

Chris realised pretty early in his working life that he wasn’t really cut out for dairy farming and instead found his niche in

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dry stock farming alternating that with shearing and shepherding in places like Pio Pio, Te Kuiti and Taumarunui.

Now with his latest role he is keen to become an active member of the PKW Farms Management team.

“Where people ask the question where did they come from?”, says Chris who is also involved in breeding stock for the Wagyu venture with First Light (feature on page 17).

Chris also understands that PKW’s continued strength will include being “I knew that PKW Dairy Farms in South able to be adaptable to new market Taranaki were working to becoming self opportunities and new approaches to sufficient and were developing dry stock farming. land for that purpose,” says Chris.

“My children (that includes two older “I did a bit of research and spoke with sons, Nicholas and Joshua) all want to people who had some association be farmers”. with PKW. I heard that they had good structures in place and so it seemed like “Being involved with a farming business an ideal environment to work in”. like PKW shows them how diverse the opportunities are and given I’ve already With that in mind Chris wants to ensure presented to a group of teachers about he can be the best at what he does. my role, (see Whenua 9) it also shows With wife Michelle, who Chris says is his them how diverse my role has become rock, and youngest son Bailey who also as well,” adds Chris. attends Waitara High School, available to give a hand, his aspiration is to grow heifers that add premium value to the PKW farming operations.

TARATAHI SOUTH TARANAKI YOUTH TO WORK AWARDS On 20 November 2013, the South Taranaki Youth To Work Awards were held at the TSB Hub in Hawera. PKW Community Development Manager, Allie Hemara-Wahanui reports on the successful outcome of PKW’s nomination of Taratahi Agricultural Centre for an Education and Training Award.

As an inter-generational organisation it is essential for PKW that we develop strategies where Taranaki rangatahi and descendants have the opportunity to secure employment within PKW. Central to this strategy is Taratahi Agricultural Centre whom we signed a relationship agreement with in 2012.

They look to recruit students that will benefit from their high quality training programmes and who could potentially fulfill PKW’s growing demand for staff.

As a result of this professional relationship we are working together

(along with others) to raise the profile of our industry by showing our community that this work environment is much more than cows and gumboots, by undertaking joint presentations at local high schools and holding the ‘Not just Gumboots’ teacher educator day (featured in Whenua 9).

Tatiana Rhodes a Taratahi student was provided with work experience under the guidance of Rob Walden PKW Farm Manager at Farm 13. Tatiana, a mokopuna of the Skipper whanau featured on the inside cover of our 2012/2013 Annual Report.

Then on 20 November 2013 the South Taranaki Youth to Work Awards celebration was held at the TSB Hub in Hawera. Over one hundred people were welcomed by Mayor Ross Dunlop to this event to celebrate the efforts of young achievers in education training and employment and acknowledge employers and training providers

supporting young people from school through training and into employment.

The atmosphere was buoyant and people really enjoyed being nominated, nominating others, and supporting the nominees. We were very pleased to see our nomination of Taratahi be acknowledged for their good work amongst our community by winning their category and receiving an Outward Bound scholarship.

It was also a great environment to see who else is investing in growing a skilled workforce within South Taranaki.

Below L-R : Dion Tuuta (PKW CE),

Rebekah Dinwoode ( Taratahi Education Partnerships Manager), Leeanne Richards (Regional Manager Taratahi Taranaki), Allie Hemara-Wahanui (PKW CD Manager) and Dr Donovan Wearing (CE Taratahi)

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UNDERSTANDING YOUR INCORPORATION LEASE In this issue of WHENUA we continue our examination of the history of the origins of Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation by looking at the creation of the Parininihi ki Waitotara Mega Reserve and the beginning of the shareholding system.

Aftermath of Confiscation Following the Taranaki wars and subsequent Government confiscations approximately one-fifth of the lands taken were returned to their owners.

The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act 1881 provided for the previously collectively controlled lands to be surveyed, divided, and leased with a view to promoting settlement and securing for the owners a reasonable return. Approximately 201,395 acres were awarded to 5,289 individual people.

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The 1881 Act was amended at least five times over the next ten years during which the legality of the leases became questionable due to administrative irregularities on the part of the Public Trustee. This prompted the passage of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act 1892 to legally validate certain leases, end owner litigation against the Public Trustee and “re-establish friendly relations between lessees and Māori”.

Under the 1892 Act the Public Trustee was given complete control over the land. The Trustee collected rent and paid it to the owners calculated at 5% of the unimproved value of the land. Rent was reviewed every 21 years with the lessees given a perpetually renewable lease and right to compensation for improvements. The West Coast Settlement Reserve Lands

were administered by the Public Trustee until 1920 when they were transferred to the Native Trustee later to be known as the Māori Trustee.

Under this system rentals generated from the reserved land blocks were paid to owners of the land blocks. This process changed in 1963.

Amalgamation of Title In 1963 the Crown amalgamated the titles of all West Coast Settlement Reserve Lands (by this time comprising 71,969 acres) into what became known as the Parininihi ki Waitotara Mega Reserve.

An amalgamation Order dated 11 June 1963 declared all West Coast settlement reserves to be held in common ownership with one equitable

title by all owners of settlement reserves value basis as provided for in the Māori Purposes Act 1962. and their successors in title.

Part one of the Māori Purposes Act 1962 provided for the amalgamation of all lands comprised in the West Coast settlement reserve. By section three of that Act it was provided that on an application by the Māori Trustee the Māori Land Court shall make an order (referred to as the amalgamation order) declaring that all the settlement reserves shall be held in common ownership under one equitable title by all the owners of the settlement reserves and their successors and title.

Shares in the Mega Reserve were awarded in proportion to the amount of land owned prior to the amalgamation.

Therefore people who owned large amounts of reserved land were awarded larger amounts of shares than those who owned small amounts of land.

This important change meant the legal connection that previously connected individual owners to individual land blocks was broken. Every person in every Iwi, hapu and whanau who had inherited land no longer held that interest in their home area but had an interest in every reserve throughout Taranaki.

paid to the shareholders on the basis of their shareholding in the Mega Reserve not from their specific land block.

This was the origin of PKW’s current shareholding system.

Despite these important changes the land still remained under the control of the Māori Trustee and in the next issue of WHENUA we look at the work which led to the formation of Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation.

Subsequently the Māori Trustee made the application and the various land blocks comprised in the West Coast Settlement reserve were amalgamated From this point forward all rental from all into one single Mega Reserve and the owners in those blocks determined on a the properties were accumulated and

PĀKIHI | 13

THE LAND ACQUISITION PROCESS BUYING FARMS Most shareholders are aware that PKW has a first right of refusal to purchase West Coast perpetual leases over PKW’s land when they come up for sale but how did this process come about and how does it actually work?

PKW’s statutory first right of refusal was granted under the Māori Reserved Lands Amendment Act 1997.

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This legal right was secured after many years of hard work and lobbying by previous PKW Committee of Management and other Māori land owners' with land subject to perpetual leases. The first right of refusal attempts to balance PKW’s aspiration to regain control of its land for its owners benefit and to recognise the investment the lessees have made into developing the land since 1880.

Under the First Right of Refusal process a lessee can sell their lease to anyone wishing to purchase it. However once an unconditional sale and purchase agreement has been signed it must be presented to PKW which then has 20 working days to consider whether it wishes to purchase the lease.

If PKW decides it does wish to acquire the lease then it may

purchase the lease on exactly the same terms and conditions the lessee originally agreed with the prospective purchaser. The process ensures PKW has an opportunity to secure control of a lease while also ensuring the lessee will not lose out if PKW exercises its first right of refusal.

The lease is perpetual, meaning that it lasts forever. Therefore if PKW decides not to purchase a lease for

any reason it still retains the first right to purchase it when it comes up for sale at a later time.

When combined with PKW’s intergenerational approach to investment the First Right of Refusal process represents a significant advantage for the Incorporation in taking a measured approach to regaining control of our ancestral land.

Above: Aerial view of PKW Farm 20 and Links Drive Development, Bell Block

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DEVELOPING WAGYU Wagyu is considered the best tasting and most succulent beef in the world and whenua reports on PKW's new partnership with the Firstlight Wagyu business to provide this premium product for the international market.

animal to produce marbling and as a result a superior eating experience.

This business opportunity is about farmers (both dairy & beef) producing quality branded grass-fed Wagyu cross beef, having it marketed in premium channels globally and being transparently paid for their product. All farmers have the ability to own shares in the Firstlight Wagyu business and also to belong to a Producer Group for managed supply and shared gains. As a result all farmers in the supply chain benefit through a shared pool system.

This is based on breeding a ½ Wagyu

Farms in California as well as top end sales to individual butcher shops such as the new Notting Hill stores brand - Provenance Meat Company. Top end food service sales into selected cities eg Moscow, London, Oslo are also underway, all brought about by a proactive farm to market approach.

Finishers get paid on both carcass weight and meat quality (as measured by marbling, meat colour and fat colour). Breeders get paid forward fixed The Firstlight Wagyu Business pricing for weaners and store cattle at time of sale and then get a share of Wagyu is a Japanese breed of the final market pool that relates to the cattle that produces high levels of intramuscular fat that when prepared for liveweight of animals sold. consumption creates a superior eating Presently the Firstlight Wagyu business experience. As a result, demand for is progressing well with great progress Wagyu beef is growing globally and the and recognition in the international higher the quality of the meat the higher marketplace. Market penetration has the price thus creating an excellent agri- created USA sales with well established business market opportunity. top end retailers including Bristol

for a business relationship between PKW and Firstlight to happen. This business opportunity allows PKW to develop a premium product from calves not suitable for their dairy herds. It also provides an opportunity for PKW to be involved beyond the farm gate for our dairy beef progeny and have our beef on overseas customers’ shelves. For the 2013 mating season PKW leased Wagyu bulls to mate with 300 heifers.

This will enable PKW to rear the calves to 90kgs at which time they will be sold onto a Producer Group Finisher at a contracted fixed price agreed at mating.

An option in the future for PKW is to grow the animals out beyond 90kgs on PKW finishing land and thus share a greater proportion of the finished animal returns.

With partners like PKW as part of their Producer Group, Firstlight hopes to increase the numbers of dairy heifers/ cows mated and calves reared in 2014 and beyond

PKW Engagement PKW became aware of Firstlight on the back of calf rearing interests and identified that there were clear synergies Images provided by First Light

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A MOUNTAINOUS JOURNEY In the first issue of Whenua Magazine we introduced shareholders to the 2011 Charles Bailey Scholarship recipient Dennis Ngāwhare. Now that his PhD research dissertation has been submitted Whenua revisited Dennis to get an insight on how his study programme went.

“My research has evolved from observing and understanding the written and oral histories of Taranaki iwi to focusing on the narrative around our mounga Taranaki”, explains Dennis.

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Now a recognised member of the Puniho Pā community Dennis can multitask from being the cup of tea maker, to the lawnmower man to the kaikōrero on the paepae, his flexibility came in handy during the four plus years of research that he has undertaken.

“When exploring the elements of how our mounga came to be here, testing the legend against oral histories and physical evidence such as whatumauri (stone artifacts) you get to appreciate the symbolism that such a story demonstrates”, says Dennis.

“Take for example Pihanga, she epitomizes the female element – those characteristics that Taranaki fell in love with. I had to visit with the Ngāti Rauhoto hapū of Ngāti Tuwharetoa to do the research about her. And I came to realise that the movement of the mountain is linked to the movement of our people. Something I have explored in my dissertation.”

Getting around the various parts of the country to undertake this research proved to be an expensive exercise and the timing of the yearly grant of $5,000 for three years was invaluable to Dennis.

“I cannot thank PKW Trust enough for their support and endorsement.

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Basically that first year coincided with my student loan being declined, then in the second year my car died just before Christmas. The reality of being a full time student means when things like that happen you are forced to take drastic measures like hitchhiking. Do you know that it takes nearly an hour to hitchhike to Okato from New Plymouth,” adds Dennis with a grin.

Nevertheless the second grant helped Dennis get a reliable car and the third and final year of funding contributed to meeting his research trip costs.

Some of the opportunities to study symbols were at times found closer to home as Dennis discovered when he was able to handle artifacts like the taonga Hine-otanga. This kohatu represents the renowned chieftainess of the Pukehoe Pā from the Taranaki hapū Ngā Mahanga that is held at Puke Ariki museum. A definite highlight amongst many Dennis encountered during his research journey.

“It was a cool opportunity to engage with these taonga in the context of my research and something I didn’t take for granted. After all, what I am providing is an insight, a perspective that will contribute to a body of knowledge that has been lost or denied to us. Hopefully

someone will pick it up and use it in other research as you could spend decades looking into this kaupapa”, says Dennis.

“This is essentially historical research, and you really have to be there amongst the community and my advice to future research fellows is that they give back through the journey because this then gives you the right to do the research.”

“I mean to say how many of us have actually climbed Taranaki yet we seem to know the legend of what has become the personification of the mounga.

There have been at least seven known significant volcanic events over the last 1,000 years and yet he still remains here. I like to think that his presence has shaped our identity as tribal people in this region”.

Whenua looks forward to congratulating Dennis at his graduation.

Previous Page and above: Dennis proudly stands before the sacred kohatu Rauhoto Tapairu at Puniho Pā

SCHOLARSHIP TAKE THE STRESS OUT OF STUDY A high-achieving Hawera academic credits some of her success to the financial assistance given to her by the Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) Trust.

especially important to her as it linked her back to where she came from.

In 2011, Acushla O'Carroll received a three-year scholarship from the trust which helped fund her PhD study completed last year through Massey University. She will graduate in May.

She said the scholarship and other assistance she had received over the course of her study, which included a seven-week stint in the United States last year after she was awarded a Fulbright-Harkness New Zealand Fellowship scholarship, made her study less stressful.

Her study examined how Māori engage with social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter and the impact this has on Māori society.

Now based in Auckland, Miss O'Carroll, who is of Ngā Ruahine Rangi, Ngāti Ruanui and Te Atiawa descent, said when she applied for the grant she needed to explain how her study would be of benefit to Taranaki.

"I think there should be some reciprocation there," she said.

Born and raised in Hawera, Miss O'Carroll said the PKW grant was

"It's from home," she said.

"It helped and enhanced my PhD journey," the 30-year-old said.

Just back from an overseas holiday, Miss O'Carroll now wants to launch her own consultancy business.

brought their skills back to Taranaki and contributed both to their iwi and hapu and the growth of Taranaki.

She said although dairy farming was PKW's core business, the trust encouraged applications from students of all ages and study disciplines.

Grants range from $400 for part-time students to $7,500 for postgraduate students.

-------------------------------------------Article and image supplied by Fairfax Medis / Taranaki Daily Mail

She is also studying Te Reo this year.

She encouraged anyone who met the scholarship's criteria to apply.

PKW community development manager Above: Allie Hemara-Wahanui, PKW Allie Hemara-Wahanui said over the Community Development Manager and scholarship recipient Acushla O'Carroll years scholarship recipients had

ĀWHINA | 21

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Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko

Taranaki te maunga Pungaereere te awa Te Potaka te marae Ngati Haupoto te hapu Taranaki Tuturu te iwi Kurahaupo te waka Ruatea te tangata

Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko Ko

Ruapehu te maunga Whanganui te awa Ranana me Patiareo nga marae Ngati Hau me Ngati Ruaka nga hapu Te Atihaunui-a-Paparangi te iwi Aotea te waka Turi te tangata

TARANAKI ARTS AWARD He Ru Whenua PKW sponsored Taranaki Arts Award recipient, Todd Sheriday explains the importance of his work and the award.

are her. 'Toi Papa-tu-a-Nuku, whatu ngarongaro he tangata'.

I have been extremely fortunate to be pursuing what I've always wanted to do since my early years. Even He Ru Whenua takes the form of the though my parents were creative in heru, or comb, which was traditionally their own way, my father particularly, carved in either bone or wood. In they thought like many other parents this instance glass is used not only of that era around finishing school for it's refractive properties, but and finding a job. So with experience also it's ability to instill the fear of at Borthwicks and McKechnie 'breaking' in the minds of the viewer.

Bro's under my belt I headed off to My response to widespread concern Palmerston Teachers College and regarding the exploitation of our earths resources, fracking, drilling and studied Art and Te Ao Māori. Fast forward 30 years and those are still dredging particularly in and around my favourite subjects. The last 8 years our Taranaki whenua and moana is “He Ru Whenua'. Each prong depicts I've been working and studying as a full-time artist and just recently I the probe inserted into the depths of have taken on the role of Toihangarau Papatuanuku extracting her riches Pouako, facilitator of creative leaving behind poisons that will pathways, at the Kura Kaupapa Māori inflict illness for generations to follow. o Nga Uri a Maui in Gisborne. It's just Who is listening as she endures this great seeing our tamariki enjoying prolonged violation? She can but something I've enjoyed doing for contain only as much as she will allow, and when she decides enough much of my life, all in Te Reo Māori. is enough...'he ru whenua' will be Much of my imagery comes from her response. Like glass, our natural my earliest memories in and around environment is fragile. Too fragile for Owae Marae, in Waitara, and later us to be dealing the hand that will seal her fate, and therefore ours. Why through studying taonga housed in various Museums throughout the have we been so silent? Why do we land. My inquisitive nature paved the persist in yielding to promises of a way for exploring glass as a media better economic future? Surely we of choice. After carving a poupou, a feel as she does? Surely we mourn her destruction? For she is us, and we 2-dimensional wall panel, I wanted

to explore the idea of viewing our classical imagery from the reverse side. The head piece of He Ru Whenua is part of this poupou. When viewed from the reverse side, it gives me a better understanding of how our tipuna thought when carving depictions of our ancestors. “It's not what we see in front of us, but what's been taken away”. Wood was the predominant media used during my training years but glass is a carry through from my years at McKechnie Brothers working in the metal foundry.

Bronze casting was one of the earliest sculptural media forms that I was exposed to during my years at Teachers College, and continues to hold a particular place of interest for me to this day.

I have participated in three of the past Taranaki Awards and have managed to win a couple of awards with He Ru Whenua being the latest. Just being able to present works to exhibit back home is motivation enough for me.

To receive acknowledgement for this effort is a huge boost for any artist.

Nga mihi nui ki haku whae Keke a Josephine Robinson raua ko Marie Ngaia, na raua i tae-a-tinana ki te tiki i tenei o nga taonga whakahirahira i tautokongia e Tui Ora me PKW Trust.

Tena rawa atu koutou katoa.

ĀWHINA | 23

IRON MĀORI TARANAKI With the success of Iron Māori established by pioneers Heather Skipworth and Missy Mackey gaining momentum around the country the concept of attracting people of all ages and sizes to take up the challenge of improving their health and wellbeing has been pursued by an enthusiastic local group known as Taranaki Toa.

down these stereotypes and barriers and introduced thousands of Māori to the event.

And ‘it’s about small steps’, a regular comment Alf will make on the Taranaki Toa Facebook page as he welcomes new members on board the Iron Māori kaupapa.

With over 600 people registered for the Taranaki Iron Māori event held on Saturday, March 8 at Pennington Park in Waitara, the small town was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The event on the day involved a short course (200m swim, 10km bike, 2.5km run) and long course (twice the short “Our group has gone from strength course) with participants either doing to strength meeting regularly in the course as an individual or part of a preparation for this year's event and team. The swim itself was held at the also participating in other events around Waitara pools where the day’s event the country. Anyone wanting to do was kicked off after an initial briefing.

Iron Māori is welcome to come along PKW Trust was very proud to be a and swim, cycle or run/walk. It's pretty sponsor of the event because the much a competition-free zone where kaupapa reflects the aspirations of the supporting one another to achieve personal goals is the primary purpose.” Trust.

In Taranaki the fledgling group Taranaki Toa was established by Alf Robson, who has become a strong advocate of the Iron Māori kaupapa since its establishment, helped set up the first Iron Māori Taranaki event in April last year.

a supporter, or one of the many volunteers. What we are seeing is our people embracing a positive lifestyle choice that will strengthen and enhance our communities,” says Allie Hemara-Wahanui, PKW Community Development Manager.

Seeing a number of PKW Shareholders actively involved is also encouraging and reinforces the desire by PKW Trust to continue to sponsor future events.

“We value the contribution by PKW,” says Iron Māori veteran Howie Tamati who is also the Chief Executive for Sport Taranaki. “Having Māori organisations on board with this kind of kaupapa helps consolidate the event around the country as local participation encourages ongoing activity.”

Bev Gibson, PKW Director was overwhelmed with a sense of achievement when she completed the course with her daughters.

“We did it and we’ll back again, that’s for sure.”

While triathlon events are traditionally viewed as an individualistic Pakeha sport, Iron Māori has helped break

“We are so encouraged by who turns up to participate, whether they are actually doing the event, or being

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(Second from top) Members of Taranaki Toa

(Top) Marina and Shelton Healey celebrating

(Top Left) Rangatahi Jesse Robson making

and the Iron Māori team,

their achievements

the Long Course look easy.

(Third from top) Alf Robson with partner Kim

(Bottom) Lola Katene and whanaunga

(Top Right) Team Ngāruahine Kuia

Minhinnick following get their final practice

sharing a momentus result after finishing the

participating in the 2.5km run/walk

bike run underway

short course

(Bottom) Kim Manukonga, Heather Skipworth (Iron Māori Founder) and Allie Hemara-Wahanui enjoying the swimming workshop

24 | ĀWHINA

Bring on Taranaki Iron Māori 2015.

(Bottom Left) Iron Māori race official hard at work (Bottom Right) Rose Waetford supported by husband Dion Tuuta as they approach the finishing line

ĀWHINA | 25

2014 IRON MĀORI GRADUATE SHELTON HEALEY

Shelton Healey (Te Atiawa) has been training for Iron Māori Taranaki since just before Christmas but started to really focus on his training in January this year. As a musician he was noticing times where he was struggling on stage and realised he needed to improve his fitness and so decided to take on this challenge. “I knew that the swimming leg was going to be the toughest part so I just chipped away at building my strength in the pool.” Initially this meant walking up and down the pool then swimming one length at a time until he could manage to do at least ten lengths. Now he combines 4 days of swimming 300 metres with 1 day of walking.

“The support I received as I was doing Iron Māori was overwhelming but I grew up on those streets so I knew where to save my strength for those uphill challenges”, laughs Shelton who had his staunch supporter wife Marina, an Iron Māori veteran, accompany him on the course.

Winning the road bike sponsored by Mitchell Cycles was a real surprise and Shelton is grateful his effort has been recognised, “Heck, I thought when they called out my name I had won a spot prize like a drink bottle!”

2014 IRON MĀORI LOLA KATENE

Even though Lola Katene completed her first triathalon she doesn’t consider herself to be a triathlete but rather an ‘Iron Māori’ and supports the ‘complete-not-compete kaupapa’. With her own mother PKW Shareholder, Lorna Katene and son Benny also participating she feels their achievements more important than her own.

Deliberately not telling many people she was doing the short individual course meant she only had herself to beat. Losing 10kgs as part of her training and healthier lifestyle changes helped Lola in her preparation for the race.

“I still wanted to quit at every power pole but everyone who passed me encouraged me to keep going; even when I was the only cyclist on the road I felt like quitting but the Ngāruahine Mātua Whāngai kids were accompanying me, well I couldn’t quit but I did get sick of hearing ‘nearly there!”

Finding the bike ride the most terrifying and challenging Lola is thrilled she won a road bike in her favourite colour purple.

“I can move on from my borrowed bike ‘Harley’ who had no gears and is brown to camouflage the rust and a cushion taped on to make the seat more comfortable”, laughs Lola who is definitely entering Iron Māori again next year. “I would like to beat my time’, says Lola who was hopeful she’d finish her event around 4pm but pleasantly surprised with a 2.15pm finish.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HINENUI WANO - BRYANT

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Muru Raupatu Marae Haere mai ra e . . .

Ki to tatou piringa pouwhare A Muru Raupatu E mau tonu ana tana kaupapa E moroki noa nei Nau mai, haere mai.

No Tokomaru te waka, No Te Atiawa te Iwi, No Puketapu te hapū.

Māori history is not just what is written in books, what is repeated orally from generation to generation or illustrated on the carved pou or tukutuku within our wharenui. It is also captured in the names of wharenui as a way of re-telling our significant stories and events.

Such is the case for Muru Raupatu marae and meeting house opened on 15 May 1937 by Nohomairangi Te Whiti, Chairman of the Taranaki Māori Trust Board, some seventy-seven years after the Taranaki Land Wars commenced in 1860.

The name symbolizes what was known as ‘te muru me te raupatu’, the pillage and confiscation that is aptly described by various Iwi in Taranaki within their Waitangi Tribunal claims. As a result, the name is a continual reminder of the injustices suffered by Iwi around Taranaki through the land confiscations imposed on the region by successive governments since the 1860s.

Adorning the front of the wharenui are three important symbols. The plough to represent the plunder and the survey peg, to represent the alienation 28 | ĀWHINA

ĀWHINA | 29

and confiscation of the land, and the numbers Wai 133:143 KPK:TA to represent the first claim lodged by the inaugural Taranaki Māori Trust Board.

Then above these symbols sits the raukura to represent the teachings of Tohu Kakahi and Te Whiti o Rongomai.

During 1950-1970s the marae was a frequently visited community facility that hosted many social, sporting and cultural events and the photos of those occasions adorn many sitting room walls.

Now, mindful of the legacy left by their tupuna, a new generation of kaitiaki made up of kaumatua and rangatahi oversee the marae that has seen a number of transformations since 1937.

Re-opened on 3 April 1995 with a new dining room that has the capacity to seat 300 guests, the marae is

30 | MĀTAURANGA

constantly booked for a range of events, with the marae being a popular venue to host weddings and birthday celebrations. Local Māori entities, Te Reo o Taranaki and Tui Ora Limited are just a couple of the organisations that are regular users of the marae facilities for their wananga and celebrations.

Because of its proximity to New Plymouth, Bell Block and Waitara many of the local schools also frequently stay to learn more about the local history.

made up one of the many pa sites for the Puketapu Hapū. Named for the bushy plants that grew in the area they had a medicinal purpose used to help heal warriors injuries incurred from the various battles or skirmishes they were involved in either with or against neighbouring hapū.

Adorning the walls of the dining room are a number of paintings by local artist Cyril Tamati. Commissioned by the Quality Hotel that was once resident in Bell Block and what is now the Pacific International Hotel Management School (PIHMS), which were gifted to the marae when the hotel was sold.

Previous page: (Top L-R) Kenny Trinder, Kuia Ruby Pratt, Kuia Ana Katene, Kuia Rita Wipiti, Marae Committee Chair Teresa Patu, Kuia Dot Tapuke and Kaumatua Ron Tapuke.

The area where the marae is situated is known as Kaipakopako, a pa that

(Below) Joined by Kiani Brunnin, Nganeko Eriwata and Tawera Trinder.

Taranaki Tū Mai held its inaugural Festival at Owae Marae in 2009 to provide an opportunity for Taranaki whānui to come together with Hākinakina, Kapa Haka and Wānanga to celebrate Taranakitanga, Whanaungatanga and Whakapapa.

After the success of the first Taranaki Tū Mai Festival the trustees agreed to continue with the event on a biennial basis. In 2011 the event was hosted at Parihaka and last year the event

was hosted by Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi in Waverley at the Waverley Community Centre.

The third Taranaki Tū Mai Festival will continue be held over three days with Wānanga on Friday, Hākinakina on Saturday and Kapa Haka and Reo debate on Sunday.

“We acknowledge all of our Taranaki Iwi for participating, travelling, mucking in where needed and making the event

a pleasure to host”, says Mike Neho, Kaiarahi Iwi Development, Ngaa Rauru.

“We also want to acknowledge our sponsors and volunteers including – Parininihi ki Waitotara, Te Puni Kokiri, Taranaki Tū Mai Trust, Te Reo o Taranaki, Te Korimako o Taranaki 94.8FM, Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority, Sport Taranaki and Tuia Tour.

Finally we look forward to heading to Ngāti Mutunga for Taranaki Tū Mai 2015!”

2013 Hākinakina results Sport 1st 2nd 3rd Tennis Taranaki Tuturu Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Equal – Taranaki Tuturu and Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Golf

Duathlon Short

Ngāti Mutunga

Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi

Taranaki Tuturu

Ngāti Ruanui

Ngāti Mutunga

Ngāruahine

Duathlon Long Ngāti Ruanui Ngāti Mutunga

Touch Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Equal – Taranaki Tuturu and Te Atiawa

Te Atiawa

Kaumatua Events

Taranaki Tuturu

Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi

Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi

League

Te Atiawa

Ngāti Mutunga

Rugby

Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi

Te Atiawa

Kapa Haka

Te Atiawa

Ngāruahine

TOA 2013

Taranaki Tuturu

Ngāruahine

Taranaki Tuturu

MĀTAURANGA | 31

Top Left: 1st Place in Rugby, Mike Neho (Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi) Top Right: 1st Place in Kapa Haka, Canaan Pauro and Matapaepae Urwin (Te Atiawa) Middle Left: 1st Place in Golf Ropata Maxwell (Ngāti Mutunga) Middle Right: 1st Place in the Duathlon (Ngāti Ruanui) Bottom Left: 1st Place in Netball (Ngāti Mutunga) Bottom Right: 1st Place in Rugby League, Wayne Capper (Te Atiawa) PHOTOS COURTESY OF RUAKERE HOND

32 | MĀTAURANGA

MĀTAURANGA | 33

109 Devon Street West | New Plymouth 4310 Taranaki | New Zealand

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