HE TĀNGATA
13 PARAU KAU TŪ KAU
Returning home as the new Te Rau Matomato, CEO of our kaupapa.
16 E KO TE HAU KA WHERŪ
Financial stability in changing times.
19 NŌ TUAWHAKARERE TE TAPU O TE WHAKAPAPA. KA PAI RĀ!
60 Years of Amalgamation Orders.
21 KA TUPU KA HUA TE RAU
J’Keyah Inia, Te Rau Hāpai Whakahono Pito, brings her property skills to the land management team.
HE WHENUA
30 TE WĀONUI O MARUWHARANUI
Mangaoapa Forest Update.
32 KO TE MANA RAIHANA PĒWHEA NEI TE ORANGA?
Rent Review Update.
HE ORANGA
34 E PIKI KI PIKI MAI RAWEA (te reo Māori article)
Nā Tonga Karena.
35 KIA TAIAO TE MOURI TĀNGATA WHENUA KI KAIPAKOPAKO
Kurataio 2023.
40 HE RAU ĀWHINA HE PUTANGA TAUIRA
Scholarship recipients for 2023.
24
24 TE MANA O TE WAI O TAIKĀTU KI NGĀTI HĀUA
Taiao Grant enhances connection and capability for water and traditional species monitoring.
PKW AGM Notice & Agenda
10am, Saturday 11 November
Aotearoa Marae, Hastings Road, Ōkaiawa
Full details on page 6.
CoM Elections 2023
Election details and candidate profiles.
Full details on page 7.
Proxy Vote Closure Date
10am, Wednesday 8 November
Proxy form is included in the AGM Information Booklet.
NGĀ PĀNUI Cover image:Takina mai ko te kawa!
Ko te kawa nā wai?
Ko te kawa nā Tītokowaru
Ko te kawa hau tapu o Parau kau o Tū kau
Ka iri te kawa kei runga! Ka iri te kawa kia
rautāpatu te kawa ora
Ka iri te kawa kei runga kia tupu matomato te kawa!
Ka mau te kawa, ka hau te kawa, ka ea te kawa!
Heke mai te kawa ora!
E i ē ko te hotu o hotu mātiketike, ko te hotu o hotu mārangaranga
Ko te hotu o taku manawaora!
Ko tō manwaora, ko tōku manawaora!
Tūturu ō whiti whakamoua kia tina
Tina! Haumi e, Tāiki e.
PARININIHI KI WAITŌTARA
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
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
Tēnā tātou katoa,
Ko Te Kāhui Tupua, he rārangi maunga here ā-nuku, here ā-rangi.
Ko Te Kāhui Tupua, koia ko ō mātou nei okiokinga, ko mātou nei tō rātou okiokitanga.
Ko Te Kāhui Tupua, ko te puna i heke mai ai te tāngata.
As we approach koanga and the season of new beginnings it is timely to mark the historical occasion that was Ruruku Pūtakerongo, the collective redress ceremony for ngā iwi o Taranaki in honour of our tauheke, Taranaki Maunga. Our kaimahi were privileged to participate in the ceremony on 1 September 2023 at Owae Marae, it will be a day we will always remember.
This time of year is also an extremely busy one as we work diligently to finalise the PKW annual report to ensure the collective mahi and performance over the past year is acknowledged and shared with you at the AGM in November.
We’re at an inflection point in our journey – as we experience an external environment that is rapidly
WHENUA MAGAZINE
Editor Aisha Ross
Deputy Editor Puna Wano-Bryant
Creative Direction Sheree Anaru
Photography Quentin Bedwell
Graphic Design Cherie Quin
Illustration Dez Dromgool
Polly Catlin-Maybury
Mark Dawson
Tonga Karena
Amokura Panoho
Eruera Rerekura
Virginia Winder
“In this issue of Whenua, Ngāti Hāua Piko hapū are featured for their mahi on Taikātu awa. We were privileged to support their inspiring project aimed at enhancing hapū connection and capability for water and traditional species monitoring. E mihi ana ki koutou te whānau o Ōkare ki Uta, Ōkare ki Tai. “
changing through technological disruption, political instability, climatic conditions, cost of living pressures and inflation impacts. These factors put pressure on our business and, therefore, the need to change and adapt for the future is critical.
On this point, Te Rau Rengarenga / Committee of Management and Te Rau Manawanui / Executive Leadership are currently carrying out a significant piece of mahi to refresh the PKW strategic plan with a focus on designing a roadmap that charts a course for the next decade – He Raupatu, He Rautāpatu (Through grievance to prosperity).
This included a complete review was undertaken on our historic and recent business and investment performance, shareholder views, insights and connections, Te Taiao, Whenua, and Te Ara Putanga outcomes.
Te Rau Rengarenga and Te Rau Manawanui also undertook a two-day wānanga outside of Taranaki. They visited other Māori/Iwi entities, business leaders, and sector/ industry experts from across the motu to gain insight and knowledge about emerging innovations, alternative land use models, and new commercial and impact investment opportunities.
The focus of the wānanga was to consider factors and trends, test and consolidate ideas, prioritise future opportunities, and build collective unity on the pathway forward. The result of this mahi will be shared at the AGM for Rau Titikura / Shareholder pātai and feedback. We look forward to your whakaaro.
In this issue of Whenua, Ngāti Hāua Piko hapū are featured for their mahi on Taikātu awa. We were privileged to support their inspiring project aimed at enhancing hapū connection and capability for water and traditional species monitoring. E mihi ana ki koutou te whānau o Ōkare ki Uta, Ōkare ki Tai.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to our whanaunga Tama Potaka and Claire Nicholson who are both retiring, for their collective commitment and contributions over many years that have strengthened and grown our kaupapa. Utaina rā kōrua ki runga i te waka o te rangimārie me te manawanui.
Ngā tini manaaki, Aisha
Ross Te Rau Matomato Chief Executive OfficerNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders will be held at Aotearoa Marae, Hastings Road, Ōkaiawa on Saturday, 11 November 2023.
9.00am Pōwhiri and registrations 10.00am Meeting commences
BUSINESS:
• Apologies
• Confirmation of Minutes of 2022 Annual General Meeting
• Annual Report and Financial Statements to 30 June, 2023
• Approval of Dividend
• Appointment of Auditor
• Appointment of Share Valuer
• Committee of Management Election Outcome
• General Business
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:
• Apologies
• Confirmation of Minutes of 2022 Annual General Meeting
• Annual Report and Financial Statements to 30 June, 2023
• Appointment of Auditor
• General Business
Please note that lunch will be served at 1.00pm.
The hui-ā-tau will be followed by an Expo showcasing partnerships and pathways for Rau Titikura, and a farm visit to Miraka Hipi. This will commence at 2-2.30pm and will go for 2 hours. Please register your attendance by calling the tari.
RSVP by 1 November 2023 Phone: 06 769 9373 Email: reception@pkw.co.nz
Te Rau Rengarenga o Parininihi ki Waitōtara / Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation Committee of Management are elected by rautitikura / shareholders and are responsible for setting the strategic direction for the Incorporation. They are also responsible for monitoring performance against the strategy.
In the last issue of Whenua magazine, the annual notice calling for nominations to the PKW Committee of Management was issued.
When nominations closed at 5:00pm on Thursday 31 August, 2023, we had five nominations for the three-year term vacancies, and three nominations for the one-year term extraordinary vacancy.
Voting papers with candidate profiles and voting information will be sent to shareholders by Electionnz.com Ltd, the Independent Returning Officer.
Postal and online voting closes at 5:00pm on Friday 10 November, 2023.
In person voting closes at the AGM at 10:00am on Saturday 11 November, 2023.
Proxy forms are included in the AGM information booklet, distributed with Whenua magazine (issue 43), and must be lodged at the PKW Office, 35 Leach Street, New Plymouth, no later than 10:00am on Wednesday 8 November, 2023.
A reminder that shareholders who would like a hard
of Te Rau Aroha / Annual Report must now order a copy by contacting PKW.
To order your copy please contact us:
Email: reception@pkw.co.nz
Phone: 06 769 9373
Freephone: 0800 759 462
Website: pkw.co.nz
THE FOLLOWING PAGES CONTAIN THE PROFILES FOR EACH CANDIDATE AND ARE PROVIDED FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
Nominated by:
The JSM Whanau Trust
Postition: Three-year term vacancy
One-year term extraordinary vacancy
Born and raised in Waitara I whakapapa to Taranaki [Ngāti Tamarongo] and Te Atiawa [Ngāti Rāhiri] Iwi.
My early background is in the banking and finance sectors where I worked for 27 years with 17 years in senior management roles. A change in focus, in 1995, resulted in my connecting with my taha Māori with the support of my mentors Whaea Poppy Bailey and Whaea Mina Timutimu. After graduating with a Bachelor Mātauranga Māori from Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa in 1998 I tutored there for 12 years before carrying out project work with Waikato-Tainui and then moving to Te Puni Kōkiri based in Porirua. I recently returned home [2020] to take up a role with the Ministry of Social Development as Māori Relationship Manager and have since moved to the position of Senior Advisor Māori with the Regional Public Service based in Ngāmotu.
In 2007 I joined the board of the Prostate Cancer Foundation where, from 2010 to 2019, I was the elected Treasurer. I have also served on the boards of Hei Āhuru Mōwai, Te Hotu Manawa Māori and Toi Tangata. I am also currently serving as the Deputy Chair for Ngāti Rāhiri hapū.
My work and governance experience has enabled me to develop skills and knowledge that I bring to the role as a member of the Committee of Management of Parininihi ki Waitōtara. The role carries many responsibilities including those of a fiscal, social and cultural nature, and I believe that I am positioned to make meaningful contributions in pursuit of PKW’s goals and objectives. I welcome the chance that this opportunity provides to fulfil the faith and aroha of my mentors.
Serena Dawn Fiso (nee Hurunui)
Nominated by:
Narlene Ann Nganeko Ioane
Postition:
Three-year term vacancy
One-year term extraordinary vacancy
Founder and CEO of Connect Global for 20 years. Our business was born due to a strong desire to make a difference and build a stronger future for our people in the communities they live (Maori and Pasifika). With offices in New Zealand and Samoa employing and upskilling our people, to break the cycle of dependency and create their own destiny.
Winners of a number of business awards:
• Westpac Porirua Business Award - 5 categories including Supreme Award
• Pacific Business Trust Awards - 2 categories including Supreme Business Award
• Wellington Gold Award – Supporting Gold Award
• AUT Business Awards – Small business
Future development and growth starts in our whare, leading from the front by us. Creating confidence in business from a young age provides an expectation of success. A mother of 5 tamariki, I have had the pleasure of supporting and
witnessing their success through this intentional approach to leadership. Our daughter Monique Fiso of Hiakai and our son Luke Fiso, NZ Fittest Man of the year title 6 times in a row. Leading the next generation to success.
I currently serve as a Trustee for Waioture (Wai-O-Turi) Marae Reserve. Previous Board Member for Porirua Chamber of Commerce, Regional Māori Economic Development Advisory Board.
My passion/action has always been in seeking opportunities to develop and work with our people to achieve their full potential, to set a new norm and expectation of who they can be. After a lifetime of helping lead others to success through business, I aim to bring experience and expertise home to our people.
It would be an honour to serve as a member of the Committee of Management to support Parininihi ki Waitorara whanau achieve the greatness we deserve.
Ngā Rauru / Ngāti Ruanui / Ngāti Hineuru. Born in Patea from Wai-o-Turi Marae.Re-standing by rotation
Postition: Three-year term vacancy
Kia ora Whanau,
Ko Taranaki toku maunga
Ko Ngati Ruanui, Nga Ruahine, Taranaki me Te Atiawa oku iwi
I was raised to understand the close whakapapa connections of whanau around Taranaki maunga and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our tupuna to benefit us and the need to continue that work for future generations.
It has been an absolute honour and privilege to serve as a Committee of Management Member of the PKW Incorporation, a director of PKW Farms, a trustee of PKW Trust and as Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for the past 15 years.
This has been a time of positive change and growth for PKW. We have:
• strongly recovered from the Australian property losses,
• actively managed, administered and run our business,
• purchased more whenua/farms,
• purchased lands on which whanau housing is being considered,
• developed our first 2 dairy sheep farms,
• worked through three rental reviews, which are becoming more difficult to negotiate,
• began a diversified investment strategy to continue increasing dividends,
• refinanced our debt,
• appointed 3 chief executives,
• worked to increase benefit and relevance of PKW to shareholders.
I am grateful to be able to use my skills and experience as a chartered accountant, and as a director of dairy farming businesses, a dairy processing plant and Taranaki whanui iwi investment companies to assist PKW.
The Committee of Management has undergone significant membership change recently as members have retired. As the longest serving member, if reappointed, I will continue to use my commitment to PKW and my institutional knowledge of our whenua, people, and history to continue to bring benefit to PKW whanau.
I am passionate and dedicated to caring for whanau and protecting and growing our whenua to achieve PKW’s vision of He Tāngata, He Whenua, He Oranga.
Nga mihinui whanau
Taari Nicholas
Postition: Three-year term vacancy
Tena koutou katoa e te whanau o Parininihi ki Waitōtara.
Kō Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama me Taranaki Iwi ōku iwi.
My name is Dion Tuuta and I seek your support for reelection to a third term on the Committee of Management. I am proud to serve as the present Chairman of Parininihi ki Waitōtara and I am aware of the significant responsibilities this brings.
Our Incorporation has undergone a significant amount of change over the last two years with new Board members elected and the appointment of our new Te Rau Matomato/ CEO. We are currently reviewing our strategic plan and I believe my experience around the Board table can help contribute to stability as our new team faces up to the challenges of the future.
If re-elected to the Board my key focus areas will remain the sensible diversification of our income streams to benefit shareholders and protect our whenua, improving our
governance practice and succession planning and improving whanau and hapū engagement locally and nationally.
Our Incorporation remains an outstanding example of collective Taranaki Maori action but this cannot be taken for granted. The increasing challenges of modern life requires us to continually consider our relevance as an organisation and how we add value to the lives of our PKW whanau. It would be an honour to remain as a member of the Committee of Management in service to the Parininihi ki Waitorara whanau.
Mauri OraNominated by: TeUraura Nganeko
Postition: Three-year term vacancy
One-year term extraordinary vacancy
Ko Taranaki toku mounga
Ko Kurahaupo, Ko Tokomaru oku waaka
Ko Taranaki, Ko Ngati Maru, Ko Te Atiawa oku iwi
Ko au te mokopuna o Te Mounga Titohea
Ko Tokatumoana Kevin Walden toku ingoa
No reira
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
I was raised in Taranaki on a dairy farm in Rahotu and I have previously served on the Committee of Management for PKW.
Throughout my professional career, I have gained extensive networks and experience across both private and public sectors in the education, environmental, community development, iwi and energy sectors. As a prior negotiator and Chairperson for Taranaki iwi it was a privilege to secure a significant settlement for all descendants of Taranaki iwi.
Following completion of the settlement in 2016, I took some time out to reset and I feel ready to re-enter the governance world with fresh perspectives and new energy.
Outside of work, you’ll likely find me either coaching rugby, at the local cafe or running around after my four mokopuna.
If I am successful in being elected for the PKW Committee of Management I will bring strong governance acumen, strategic outlook, extensive Iwi and key stakeholder networks and a passion to assist and grow PKW to benefit all their shareholders.
Heoi ano, tukuna mai ou koutou poti ki a au, Ka tatari au ki te awhina !!
Nga mihi maioha Toka
For Aisha Ross, Te Rau Matomato CEO of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation, putting people at the centre and moving in unity is the key to success.
“The high calibre of skills and experience of our kaimahi are integral to the success of the business, and their commitment to the legacy of PKW is critical to the way we achieve that success,” he says.
“Like many of our Taranaki Māori enterprises, the strength of our organisation comes from our people. The capability and talent we have in our whare is impressive and the collective dedication they have to our kaupapa is inspiring”.
His core belief that PKW is a whānau-owned business played a large part in his decision to move from Waikato, where he had been based for many years, to come home to Taranaki.
Of Ngā Ruahinerangi, Ngāti Ruanui, Taranaki Iwi, Te Atiawa and Ngāti Mutunga whakapapa, Aisha’s grandmother, Rangimaimaiao Ross, was a PKW shareholder, and he became an associate director on the PKW Board in 2014.
“I felt that the time had come where I could contribute further in a tangible way to the legacy of our kaupapa after being away filling my kete with the skills and experience I needed,” he says.
After taking over the Te Rau Matomato role five months ago, Aisha has a clear perspective for the future of our business, and – like the foundational vision of PKW –people are at the heart of it.
“Forging stronger ties with our shareholders, with whānau, hapū and iwi, through partnership and collaboration, is important both culturally and economically for both the business and Taranaki Māori as a whole,” he says. “It has been great to see how relationships have grown as a result of better engagement with hapū and marae and a genuine desire to help people reconnect with their whenua.”
“I know being given the opportunity to speak to their narratives through their own kōrero and express that connection in a visible and meaningful way, such as with the gifting of a name, has been appreciated, but we need to continue to remain open to what can be done to further those relationships.”
He is interested in sharing the knowledge and expertise the Incorporation has to develop ideas for land use options and provide support to embrace opportunities for whānau.
“Forging stronger ties with our shareholders, with whānau, hapū and iwi, through partnership and collaboration, is important both culturally and economically for both the business and Taranaki Māori as a whole.“
Aisha Ross“We always have to ensure we serve the interests of our shareholders first, of course, but I am keen to be as impactful as we can within the realms of what we can achieve.”
Aisha also wants to continue to build on the cultural expertise that PKW holds, so kaimahi can have confidence in the whakapapa and legacy of our kaupapa, who and what the Incorporation is, and their role within it.
“We have a rich identity and history, and we are proud to share our kōrero,” says Aisha. “Supporting and encouraging our people as they undertake their own cultural learning journey is an area we have been focusing on and we are making good progress.”
When it comes to business matters, Aisha signals that while the Incorporation has a strong balance sheet and robust foundations, the current economic climate and the high cost of doing business in a rapidly changing world will continue to be a challenge.
“We have to be agile, and we have to embrace innovation in order to keep growing as a business and continue to deliver the results our shareholders expect,” he says.
“This isn’t anything new for PKW – the spirit of innovation is the fabric of PKW history as our pāhake had a willingness to try new things and test ideas.”
“Some of them worked and some of them didn’t – but ultimately exploring new ventures requires managing the risks and executing all investments with commercial discipline and a values-based approach grounded in tikanga.”
Climate change and the growing compliance expectations and legislative restrictions being experienced by the agricultural sector means that solutions must be found.
“If carbon zero is the destination, then how do we get there? And not only that, how do we get there on our own terms as a Taranaki Māori whānau owned business and make it something we do well, that we excel in? There’s no easy answer.”
With this backdrop to PKW’s operations, diversification remains a key strategy to ensuring the commercial engine of the business continues to run well.
“Investment will always be the key to maintaining our economic base and growth into the future,” says Aisha.
“But any opportunities we consider have to align with our values and kaupapa as measured by Te Ara Putanga. This tool will continue to be the main driver for our business decisions as we continue to fulfil the vision, He Tāngata, He Whenua, He Oranga.”
Navigating the economic winds of the past year has impacted all the levels of the business, but a strong focus on fiscal stability means PKW’s performance will continue to provide certainty for our Rau Titikura / shareholder whānau.
“No-one has been immune from the high interest rates and fast rising inflation, from households trying to make ends meet right up to the largest NZ businesses,” says Jahron Neha, Te Rau Māhorahora / General Manager Finance and Investments. “Cost management and discipline have been key throughout the year to manage the impacts on the business.”
As PKW Farms forms such a significant part of the Incorporation, a sharp focus on robust budgeting and financial controls has taken place within this business unit.
“Despite the economic pressures and a falling milk payout, we have been able to retain our focus and make wise budgeting decisions throughout the year, and subsequently have a respectable profit expectation,” says Jahron. “We should acknowledge our kaimahi out on the paddocks and our farming partners for their vigilance and diligence despite the pressures they experienced.”
Other key considerations regarding the end-of-year financial report include Miraka Hipi, which has just completed its first full year of operation. With the first milk pick-up in July 2022, all the operational targets for this new business venture have been met and the attention
now turns to scalability, a key element to achieving the financial expectations over the longer term.
“We are following a clear strategic pathway for our sheep dairying business in order to gain improved financial returns,” explains Jahron. “Increasing the scale of the operation, with more milking ewes on more farms will deliver a beneficial return, but the initial timescales for that have been extended, largely in response to the sharp increases in interest rates and on-farm related costs.
However, while this start-up phase will be financially challenging, we have already gained the benefits of the other key drivers for this enterprise – the reduced environmental impact of this alternative land use, and the diversification of our portfolio.
“Miraka Hipi is a relatively new industry in New Zealand, and we are only one-season into our experience and learnings. There is still an exciting journey ahead of us.”
“Cost management and discipline have been key throughout the year to manage the impacts on the business...”
Jahron Neha
Another new investment was entered into this year by joining the Aotearoa Fisheries Limited and Pūai Tangaroa consortium to purchase $48 million worth of kōura quota (PKW acquired $1 million of quota). A significant driver behind the investment decision was that the purchase of the quota meant a culturally significant resource remained in Māori hands.
Fiscal responsibility extends to the debt management approach for the organisation, and a robust tender process was employed to ensure the best lending rates were secured.
As a result, ASB has joined Rabobank in holding PKW’s loans.
“PKW has held a strong relationship with Rabobank for 14 years and value the dairy farm expertise the team there have shared with us over that time,” says Jahron. “Ensuring the best value for our Rau Titikura/Shareholders is always our first priority and ASB’s offering was an opportunity that complements our arrangement with Rabobank.”
The valuation of the corpus whenua can have a disproportionate impact on the year-end figures, given that the prescribed value would only be realised in the event of a sale.
“The land value can be extremely volatile, demonstrating huge swings in dollar terms on an annual basis,” says Jahron. “But this is commonly referred to as a ‘paper adjustment’ as selling corpus whenua would never take place. Despite that, it is still a significant contributor to the balance sheet and can have a large impact on our reported final profit result.”
“We are expecting a fall in valuation this year, negatively impacting the bottom line.”
“That perpetual leases remain in place over 86% of our whenua portfolio is a constant reminder of the words of Te Whareaitu, “Ko te mana raihana kāore nei he oranga.” The inherited leasehold regime will continue to constrain our efforts to lift financial outcomes but we will continue to strive for prosperity when the wind abates. ‘He raupō ka piko e te hau, ka ara.’”
The 2022/2023 financial year report will be available with the release of the annual report in October. Shareholders wishing to receive a hard copy should order one by calling the PKW office on (06) 759 9373 (freephone 0800 759462) or email reception@pkw.co.nz. The report will also be available on the PKW website –https://www.pkw.co.nz.
“Ensuring the best value for our Rau Titikura/Shareholders is always our first priority...”
Jahron Neha
On 11 June 1963, an Amalgamation Order declared the remnants of the West Coast Settlement Reserves, 212 individual titles, were to be held in common ownership under one title called ‘Parininihi ki Waitōtara’. This signalled the beginning of the shareholding system which Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation inherited from the Māori Trustee when it was established in 1976 and is responsible for administrating today.
Sixty years on, this is the third and final article in the series about how the West Coast Amalgamation Order came into being, the legacy it created, how the records it produced are now being used to help Taranaki Māori rediscover their whakapapa, and what challenges still need to be faced.
The title ‘Kei te mōhio te oneone ki a koe. Kei te mōhio koe ki te oneone?’ encourages us to enact the praxis of genealogical and physical connection to whenua. Ahakoa i te pāhuatanga, in spite of raupatu we have the ability to reconnect through our own journey of discovery as Taranaki Māori.
The vision of Parininihi ki Waitōtara is He Tāngata, He Whenua, He Oranga – Growing and Sustaining Our People through Prosperity. Inherent in this kaupapa is the desire for whānau to understand where their ownership in the Incorporation originates from prior to the Amalgamation Order. This lies in their whakapapa to the whenua – not just their shares.
Finding the right way of reconnecting our owners with their ancestral whenua 160 years after it was confiscated, 143 years after perpetual leases were imposed, and 60
years after Amalgamation is a challenge – and a role PKW takes seriously.
“Our connection to whenua as Māori underpins our identity. The historical processes which have occurred in Taranaki including the Amalgamation Order and the perpetual leasing system have interfered with the ability of our whānau to have a direct relationship with their ancestral whenua,” Te Rau Toi Ariki PKW Chairman Dion Tuuta says. “As a result of the complex legal history of Taranaki whenua, the Incorporation has taken on a role that would
(b) Specifying that such amalgamation order shall take effect on the first day of July 1963;
(c) Incorporating the effect of the vesting order applied for under paragraph 2 hereof;
“But as the Incorporation develops into the future we are looking at how we ensure that whānau connection to whenua is a meaningful one.”
Dion Tuuta
normally fall to iwi, hapū and whānau. This is part of our unique challenge as a Taranaki Māori organisation.”
“But as the Incorporation develops into the future, we are looking at how we ensure that whānau connection to whenua is a meaningful one.”
The Amalgamation Order that created the Parininihi ki Waitōtara Mega Reserve was facilitated by the Māori Trustee to make the administration of the perpetual leasing process easier, not because it was best for whānau. In taking this step, the Māori Trustee effectively severed the owners’ legal ownership to specific blocks of whenua and replaced it with shares in the Mega-Reserve.
As we move to the future, the question is how does the Incorporation administer the Reserve effectively while facilitating the re-connection to whenua that whānau want?
“Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation is the custodian of the whenua, but many of our whānau want to know where their ancestral blocks are. Helping people access the information which can help them trace their connection to their ancestral whenua is one way we can help.”
“Working together with hapū to reconnect whānau to the land itself is another pathway – by creating and fostering partnering opportunities to revitalise their connection we can also give people a greater sense of ownership in their Incorporation. Ultimately, we want to be the conduit for connection, not an obstacle.”
However, establishing your whakapapa connection to whenua is one thing, but being able to act on it and access the piece of whenua where your ancestors once stood is quite another.
“It needs to be remembered that perpetual leases remain in place over 86% of the whenua that makes up the Parininihi ki Waitōtara Mega Reserve. It is the perpetual leases which continue to deny us access to our own whenua,” explains Dion.
“If we have control, we have the ability to create opportunity for connection for whānau. Without it, even if we can help someone identify their land prior to the Amalgamation Order, we can’t put it within physical reach.”
“But we will continue to work to find the ways that are open to us. The fact that increasing connectivity is one of the metrics in our outcomes framework, Te Ara Putanga, shows how important it is.”
(d) Assigning in the amalgamation order to the lands affected by it the description Parininihi-ki-Waitotara Reserve;
“Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation is the custodian of the whenua, but many of our whānau want to know where their ancestral blocks are. ”
Dion Tuuta
J’KEYAH INIA, TE RAU
HĀPAI WHAKAHONO PITO, BRINGS HER PROPERTY SKILLS TO THE LAND MANAGEMENT TEAM
J’Keyah Inia has to fit a lot into a day – which is why she can be found studying in her living room at 4am in the morning.
Her partner Jacob Mills and 10-month-old daughter Georgie sleep soundly as she works on the last two papers of a Bachelor of Business majoring in property through Massey University’s distance learning programme.
“Time is precious, so I get up and get straight into it, either watching a lecture or working on an assignment,” she says.
“Georgie wakes up at 6am or just after, then it’s time to be a mum and get us ready for the day and out the door by 7.30am, drop her off to one of her grandmothers and be at work by 8am.”
J’Keyah is a Te Rau Hāpai Whakahono Pito / Property Management Assistant at Parininihi ki Waitōtara, providing assistance to the property team in regards to the management, development and diversification of PKW’s core asset – whenua.
“One day I might be in the office, another day, out on the whenua, the next day out doing a commercial property inspection,” J’Keyah says. “Being here, I get exposed to a variety of property areas and roles that you don’t get typically exposed to when you are fresh out of studying.”
“With the development of technology and AI (artificial intelligence), property is such a precious taonga. It’s always going to require people to administer it and make those important decisions.”
She joined the PKW whānau in April 2023, bringing with her an academic knowledge of property and an understanding of business.
“For the last six years, I have been working full time and studying both part-time and full-time. Property is something I have always been interested in. It’s so relevant and a smart career move for anyone looking to get into it,” says J’Keyah (Taranaki Iwi, Parihaka).
“With the development of technology and AI (artificial intelligence), property is such a precious taonga. It’s always going to require people to administer it and make those important decisions.”
In November she will complete her degree – her second. She has already gained a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation, majoring in business and exercise science, from AUT and went on to run the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre Swim School.
“I have a love for all things water – swimming, surf lifesaving club (East End), surfing as a family, diving for kaimoana,” she says .“I spent a lot of my childhood in the water along State Highway 45.”
While originally from Ōpunakē, her whānau lived in New Plymouth and is included among the list of Te Rau Titikura / PKW shareholders.
She has two visions for her future. “Professionally, I want to be able to work in this sector and be of service to my whenua and my people in the Taranaki rohe,” she says. “Personally, I want to be able to raise our family in this region and give my children the upbringing I enjoyed so much.”
Richard Buttimore, Te Rau Whakahono Pito / GM of Property, says J’Keyah brings fresh energy and a positive dynamic to the team and is keen to learn.”She has fitted in seamlessly with our values; our kaupapa. She gets it and lives and breathes it. It’s around understanding the legacy, where we come from, and the aspirations of the shareholders over managing the whenua. Helping to maintain that connection is all-important for PKW.”
J’Keyah says the importance of managing, caring for and protecting the whenua has become more important to her since having her first child.
That’s why she embraces the wisdom of an old whakataukī, which says:
“Manaaki whenua, manāki tāngata, haere whakamua.”
J’Keyah explains, “It means, if you look after the land, and look after the people, you will take care of the future.”
“She has fitted in seamlessly with our values; our kaupapa. She gets it and lives and breathes it. It’s around understanding the legacy, where we come from, and the aspirations of the shareholders over managing the whenua. Helping to maintain that connection is all-important for PKW.”
Richard Buttimore
TAIAO GRANT ENHANCES
CONNECTION AND CAPABILITY FOR WATER AND TRADITIONAL SPECIES
MONITORING
Support from the PKW Taio Fund has enabled pāhake from Ngāti Hāua, committed to the maintenance of the mauri of their traditional awa, Taikātu, to pass on their knowledge and kaupapa to the next generation.
Historically, the Ngā Ruahinerangi hapū Ngāti Hāua reside in an area in South Taranaki known as Auroa. Their ancestor Auroa travelled south to the Whanganui River area and met a wahine called Hinengākau. They had twins called Hāua Piko and Hāua Roa. Ngāti Hāua Piko, as a people, remained in the area from the maunga to the sea, where Ōpunakē is to the west, Kaponga to the northeast, and Manaia to the southeast. Hāua Roa returned to Whanganui where their uri remain to this day.
In the 1880s, after King Tawhiao sent representatives known as Tekau Mārua down from Waikato to support Parihaka, the relationships that emerged helped consolidate Ngāti Hāua hapū presence in Ngā Ruahinerangi. Kinship ties to Ngāti Hauā in Waikato are also still maintained.
Ngāti Hāua pahake, Karl Adamson shared some insights into the present hapū connection with their ancestral awa.
“Ngati Hāua has always been quite particular on who we associate ourselves with. We are very strong in our own history and what we do. What we find is that we are constantly having to monitor the activity that occurs on our whenua. It’s an area where there is a lot of interest in oil and gas reserves and intensive farming.”
“It is tedious for us to constantly get resource consent and cultural assessments requests or whatever the case may be only a few days before the submissions are due. So we decided to initiate our own taiao practice and the awa monitoring was one of those projects.”
“A few years ago one of the farmers had built a dam that he didn’t have consent for on our Taikātu awa. We only found out when the Taranaki Regional Council attempted to get the farmer to retrospectively apply for consent.”
“A few years ago we found that due to man-made dams on Taikātu awa a lot of the tuna had migrated down to the lake. The dam had restricted the tuna getting to the moana. With the support of Te Korowai o Ngāruahine we started our own awa monitoring and engaged with PKW to get a grant to continue the project.”
“Ngati Hāua has always been quite particular on who we associate ourselves with. We are very strong in our own history and what we do.”
Karl Adamson
to partner up with PKW through the Taiao Grant opportunity to get our kids involved with the awa and look at the testing PKW Taiao team were going to teach us about. “
In April 2021 Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust made the request to the PKW Taiao Fund with the support of Ngāti Hāua to continue the awa monitoring project.
“We felt from an iwi perspective that it was an important kaupapa to support,” says Te Aorangi Dillon, Chief Executive Officer of Te Korowai o Ngā Ruahine Trust.
“We also thought it was a really important to partner up with PKW through the Taiao Grant opportunity to get our kids involved with the awa and look at the testing PKW Taiao team were going to teach us about.”
“Then we could make a decision whether that was the best way for us to carry on for testing our awa, or if there are other cultural indicators that we should include in our testing regime.”
With other kaitiaki amongst the hapū, pāhake were actively involved in the monitoring of the awa right down to the takutai moana, and hapū rangatahi were starting to
“We also thought it was a really important
Te Aorangi Dillon
think about what their responsibilities were, to not just the awa Taikātu, but also to the other awa within the takiwā as well.
Although the original proposal had been to monitor four streams within the hapū rohe, Raoa, Taikātu, Otākeho and Kuporaho, after further discussions it was determined that the only secure access was to the Taikātu via some of the reserve lands located behind Ōkare ki Uta marae.
Dion Luke, who oversaw the project on behalf of Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust, said that the key focus was also to build the capacity and capability of the hapū. This included:
• Training in the use of Stream Health Monitoring Assessment kits and Environmental DNA sampling (SHMAK, eDNA)
• Wānanga on traditional species and the health of awa
• The development of cultural health monitoring indicators and methodology.
“We had the benefit of having Bart Jansma, a water ecologist who came on board as an environmental advisor to the project. His knowledge was invaluable, and it was great to see him share his expertise with our rangatahi,” added Dion.
After multiple obstacles due to COVID and weather events, the first monitoring activity was held at Ōkare ki
Uta marae in May 2022. This was attended by around 25 uri of Ngāti Hāua – mostly taiohi and rangatahi.
Josephine, Luka, Jordan and Raniera from the PKW Taiao Team and Tāne Houston, the lead ranger for the Ngāruahine Mounga team were also there to share their knowledge and expertise.
With an extension for the project approved by PKW, the second monitoring activity got underway in February 2023. Along with the MCI (Macroinvertebrate Community Index - biological indicator of the health of wadeable rivers and stream) results, the fish survey showed there is a surprising variety and abundance of biodiversity in the Taikātu Stream. The dam on the awa also explained the high amount of sediment at the monitoring location. Everything caught during the monitoring exercises was also returned to the Taikātu Stream by the taiohi.
Though pāhake had advised that traditionally kākahi, freshwater mussels, were found in the Taikātu, the samples of eDNA submitted for analysis confirmed the presence of banded kōkopu and kōura only. No kākahi DNA was found in the eDNA sample, suggesting that kākahi may only exist downstream of the site being monitored.
“What this project has demonstrated is that there is a distinct lack of monitoring conducted by the Taranaki Regional Council on any awa within the rohe of Ngāti Hāua,” said Dion. “This is consistent with the Council’s
approach which prioritises larger awa that provide municipal water supply, support large industries or have high recreational values.”
“Ngāti Hāua now have the skills and capability to develop and undertake their own monitoring, including cultural health, to counter this and inform the responses to resource consent applications. There is also an opportunity to compare their results with those of PKW’s monitoring mahi.”
Any monitoring projects for the iwi and hapū will require investment in targeted development of taiohi and rangatahi to create a succession pathway to ensure the hapū can maintain its kaitiaki role in their takiwā – which can be a challenge.
Ngāti Hāua pahake Karl Adamson says, “The biggest issue that we find is funding. What we would really like would be to have someone on the ground to do the monitoring in a paid role, as most of what we do now is done voluntarily. This project has demonstrated the importance of our hapū working together with PKW.”
“What this project has demonstrated is that there is a distinct lack of monitoring conducted by the Taranaki Regional Council on any awa within the rohe of Ngāti Hāua.”
Dion LukeImages on this and previous pages:
Kōnui, Kōroa, Māpere, Manawa and Kōiti are visible signs of the progress being made by the mahi to safeguard kiwi living in the Mangaoapa forestry block.
Named after the five fingers of the hand, these are the five birds – three male and two female – caught earlier this year through a monitoring scheme that has partnered Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW), owner of the block, with the East Taranaki Environment Collective (ETEC), Taranaki Kiwi Trust and Te Kāhui Maru.
Trained dogs and handlers located and captured the kiwi, and gave them a health check, before attaching transmitters and putting them back in their burrows.
The biggest of the birds at 3.3kg is Kōnui (fat or big), the thumb, with the other fingers in sequence – Kōroa (long or tall); Māpere (playful); Manawa (spirited) and Kōiti (small and humble).
The three males are currently sitting on eggs with the incubation process usually taking up to 80 days.
The monitoring of the kiwi is particularly significant as it is part of a research project into how forestry harvesting impacts the species. PKW plans to start harvesting the radiata pine in the forest towards the end of the year.
Te Rau Mātorotoro / Procurement Coordinator for PKW Jenny Feaver says: “We need to find out what happens to kiwi before, during and post-harvesting of the pine.
“Kiwi can become skitterish when there is significant noise and activity in their habitat.”
“There is a huge gap in knowledge about what happens to kiwi in a pine forest, but we are committed to understanding more about these taonga and how we can support them while working safely around them.”
Jenny is delighted to have ETEC, Taranaki Kiwi Trust and Ngāti Maru as partners.
“They are experts in monitoring kiwi behaviour, so it is a natural fit – and we are learning so much from their expertise.”
“Key to PKW’s values is looking after native species. We need to make sure we are good stewards of the natural world and ensure the kiwi thrive.”
“The kiwi project is something new for PKW, but we have picked it up and run with it.”
PKW will also be collaborating with national charitable trust Save the Kiwi, which is planning a North Island-wide research project into the effects of forestry harvesting.
“For our rau whakauruora in our taiao team, this is their first experience with kiwi, so it is a unique and exciting experience for them.”
Josephine SullivanSave the Kiwi’s forestry specialist Craig Balsom says the results from the Mangaoapa forest will be an important part of the project.
“No one has done this sort of research and it will help us manage kiwi populations better in the future.”
PKW’s Taiao team has been providing support work in Mangaoapa which has seen them develop their skills and knowledge.
“For our rau whakauruora in our taiao team, this is their first experience with kiwi, so it is a unique and exciting experience for them,” says Te Rau Whakaueue / Team Supervisor Josephine Sullivan.
“The work is not always easy or glamorous – kiwi get into challenging spaces, so the team have been crawling through the undergrowth. But they have found it very rewarding.”
“As PKW owns the forest, the kiwi are our responsibility and we are developing the skills to enable us to do what we need to protect them, while building up our knowledge base.”
“Our cadets are doing regular monitoring on their own, and those who are keen to develop their skills and gain a qualification in kiwi handling are being encouraged to do so.”
Civil works such as establishing tracks will start before the end of the year, prior to harvesting.
A preferred partner to carry out the harvest has been identified and negotiations are under way.
“It was important to find a company aligned with our values, and we now have a draft agreement and are working through the fine details,” says Te Rau Whakahono Pito / General Manager Property Richard Buttimore.
With 90 percent of property inspections completed, Richard Buttimore, Te Rau Whakahono Pito / General Manager Property, says the Parininihi ki Waitōtara (PKW) corpus whenua rent review is ‘on track’.
The review covers 326 whenua parcels, with 272 of them occupied by external leaseholders.
Following a robust process, PKW appointed two independent valuers, Logan Stone and Colliers, to assess the land. The West Coast Settlement Reserves Lessee Association, representing the majority of the leaseholders, also appointed its own. The valuers appointed by PKW have had a good deal of experience in this kind of work, having acted for other Māori incorporations.
“Working together with the leaseholders collegially should result in a smoother process for both parties to arrive at agreed valuations of the individual whenua blocks and, from that, a fair annual rent,” says Richard.
“We are in a partnership with the lessees – we have a commercial relationship with them – and so the collegial approach is key in working out any differences and overcoming them.”
“This approach does not guarantee the parties will agree on a fair annual rent, but it will identify the areas where we cannot agree and allow us an avenue to attempt to resolve these differences constructively.”
The property inspections began in August last year and cover PKW’s corpus whenua portfolio of 20,000 hectares. Richard points out that the aim is to reach a fair annual rental as if the whenua had never been improved, as opposed to a traditional market rent.
“With a market rent approach, you can compare the subject property with comparable sales and leasing data and follow traditional valuation practices. Arriving at a fair rental for the corpus whenua presents a few challenges as we are valuing the unimproved whenua, the whenua in its original state at the commencement of the perpetual leases more than 130 years ago.”
That means the valuers will come together and agree on a methodology for deciding on the appropriate rent and, importantly, how any disagreements will be resolved.
Richard hopes to see all valuations completed by October, and valuation notices with the new rents out to leaseholders by the end of the year. The vast majority of rents under review will come into force on 1 January 2024.
The review process is governed by the Māori Reserved Land Amendment Act 1997, which changed the frequency of reviews from every 21 years to every seven years, as well as giving PKW first right to buy leasehold titles on the open market.
The rent assessment is based on the value of the land in its original state in 1892, when settlement reserves were set aside for the return of land confiscated from Taranaki Māori. Making such assessments on the original value and any growth in value is a complex and often contested issue.
The valuation process looks at the current market value of a property (both the leasehold title and the underlying Māori freehold title) and then deducts any improvements on the whenua (dwellings, cowsheds, fences) and then any improvements to the whenua (clearing, drainage, contouring) to establish the value of the unimproved, underlying whenua on which the rent is based.
“It is a big piece of work. We have to do it every seven years and each rent review is a two-year process,” says Richard, adding that the corpus whenua portfolio currently realises $9 million per annum for the Incorporation.
In the event a rental figure cannot be agreed, the matter would go to third-party arbitration by an independent body.
“Working together with the leaseholders collegially should result in a smoother process for both parties to arrive at agreed valuations of the individual whenua blocks and, from that, a fair annual rent.”
Richard Buttimore
NĀ TONGA KARENA
E huaina ana te taupānga a PKW ki te ingoa a Piki Mai Rawea me te whakaaro iho kia rite te mahi o tēnei taupānga ki tā Māui-mua, arā, he tuku i tana aho, ko te Rangitukutuku kia mau ai i a ia te ika roa, te ika whenua nei - ki tana matau a Piki Mai Rawea. Ka ara ake ko te ika whenua e noho nei tātou ko te kāhui tāngata. Nō muri mai i te aranga ake o te ika nei, ka rokohina ake ko te ika i whakaraua kutikuti pekapeka, ā, ka takoto whārōrō, ka kōkōiawa, ka pukepuke, ka mania iti, ka mania roa, ka papa kōhukehuke, ka reporepo, ka pīnekineki, ka tītohea. Ka rite te ika nei hei noninga kumu mā te tāngata, hei tauranga tūahu mā te kāhui tohunga, hei urupā i te pō, hei ūkaipō i te ao. Ka tongikuratia ai e te kāhui Māui, ka tongikuratia ai e te kāhui tāngata. I konā rā, ka awhiawhi iho i te mouri o tēnei ika whenua i tāirihia ai ki ngā whare tūranga kōrero o Taranaki, i tērā i ōhākītia mai ai e Jamie Tuuta, ā, ka kitea te hāngaitanga, ka mutu, ka amohia ake tēnei kura hei kura tukutuku, hei kura whakaipuipu i te mahara a te tāngata.
Ka karapīpiti te noho ki a Kiwa i te marama o Poutūterangi i te tau 2022 kia upa ai te mahi tahi, ka tītoko ake te whakaaro kia hīmata ake i te whakawhiti haere o īmera atu o īmera mai, ka tau i reira he aha te momo nene e mōmona ai te tāmure, ā hea rawa e whati ai te tai kia pao ai te torea, kei hea kē hoki te pāua ki roto i te pitorua. Ka ākirikiri i a hāngaikore, ka murumurua i a takoto-hē, ka pai māriretia atu ki a whakaihoiho-te-hua, ka pūtētia mai ko mārewawhakanikoniko. Ka ea i kona kāpā iana he parawai tōna rite. He pounga waihoe ki te moana o te kimi whakaaro, he rāhirihiri i a Tāne-te-waiata, he rūmenemene i a Hine-teīereere, he oha ki te patu o manawaroa, he taurima i ngā whare kōrero i aitū kia kotahi ai ki roto i te pūnanga tapu o te whakatonu.
Nō te tautanga ki a Paraukau ki Waiōkura ki roto i a Ngāti Tū ki te hui-ā-tau, ka māunu te taniwha i te rua kōhā, ka rarapa i reira ko te ahitūrama kia taumauritia ai te
taupānga nei a Piki Mai Rawea. Ka takapou whārikitia ko tana kaupapa, ka aurere te taimihimihi ki tēnā, ki tēnā, ka whātoro te ringa tāngata ki te pūkoro kia whāwhāria ai te taonga tapu nei o te waea pūkoro. Ka whāia ngā tohutohu kia pai ai te onokia atu te taupānga nei ki te waea, taro kau iho, kua rāwekeweke, kua korikori, kua kopikopi i te whakaminenga ngā kōrero e whata ana ki runga i te taupānga o Piki Mai Rawea. Kua mau te ika, kua hī ake rā te ika tāngata i a Piki Mai Rawea. Ko tā rātou ināianei he kutikuti, he pekapeka, he whakaraua. Ko tā PKW, he whakapoapoa, he whakawaiwai kia mārō tonu ai tēnei momo taura kukume i te wairua tāngata kia piri mai ai ki ngā toi huarewa o Piki Mai Rawea. E rarau e te iwi ki te taonga nei o Piki Mai Rawea!
“Ko tā PKW, he whakapoapoa, he whakawaiwai kia mārō tonu ai tēnei momo taura kukume i te wairua tāngata kia piri mai ai ki ngā toi huarewa o Piki Mai Rawea.”
The kaitiaki and toa taiao of Taranaki awa and whenua came together to connect, share and learn at the second Kurataiao Taranaki hosted by the PKW Trust, Te Rau Manawaora.
More than 150 people attended the three-day wānanga at Muru Raupatu Marae, Kaipakopako, which included seven speakers, a panel debate, te reo workshops and group discussions.
Founded and facilitated by PKW’s Puna Wano-Bryant, Te Rau Titikura, GM Shareholder Engagement and Tonga Karena, Te Rau Whakaihoiho, Kaitiakitanga Strategy Manager, the event is a chance to find mutual accord in a common kaupapa; the health and sustainability of our natural world and resources, te oranga o te taiao.
“Our people have been kaitiaki of the taiao for generations, and before human existence there were atua, kaitiaki taniwha, mouri kōhatu, and so we are the current manifestation of that responsibility, as kaitiaki,” says Puna.
“Taiao is the one place where contention over rights and interests, geopolitical and whakapapa distinctions that shape our perspectives, are removed, emboldening us to work together to look after the natural resources that are essential to us as a people.”
“At the PKW Trust, we wanted to provide an opportunity, a space, for those taiao teams from all iwi and hapū around the maunga to come together to understand each other’s responsibilities and share the privilege of caring for our taiao.”
Keynote speaker Hana Rāwhiti-Maipi delivered her motivating and stirring address ‘Māramataka Māori and Mana Motuhake, a Taiohi Voice’ on the first day of the event. Hana is named after her whaene, prominent Māori activist and leader Hana Te Hemara, and her appearance was a return to her marae for her.
The other keynote speakers were Tina Porou (Te Mana o te Wai —Te Hira Pūao the Movement), and Dr Billy van Uitregt, (Mātauranga Pākehā is there such a thing?)
“All three gave a powerful kōrero, which was illuminating, affirming and challenging by turn,” says Puna. “They really helped the wānanga to ask ourselves the question of what do we need to do culturally to strengthen ourselves, so we can face the challenges of the deluge of legislation that impacts the integrity of our collective Treaty settlements and ongoing Treaty rights.”
The immersive three-day event followed a framework of three pou taiao / cultural eco-systems:
Kia Taiao te Kura referred to the environment and the learning cycle that creates a body of knowledge sourced, nurtured and challenged through a Taranaki Māori lens.
Kia Taiao te Reo asserted the need to normalise Te Reo Māori, particularly reo o Taranaki me hōna tikanga. It addressed the need to practise the use of te reo o Taranaki in interactions with the natural world to embrace the revitalising of identity and culture.
Kia Taiao te Mouri Tāngata Whenua acknowledged the importance of the concept of ‘mauri’ and how critical it is in informing how we as Taranaki Māori approach the different domains of our taiao.
Kia Taiao te Kura Ko te kura i takea mai i ngā kōrero o Kurahaupō waka, ko te whāingaroatanga i te kura kia mou. I huaina ai te tupuna nāna i hautū mai te waka o Kurahaupō - ko Te Maungaroa, hei tā Tonga Karena, Te Rau Whakaihoiho, Parininihi ki Waitōtara ngā kōrero e whai ake nei.
“Nā te roa ōna ki te whai i te kura, ka mau i a ia te kura. Ka rukuhia ki roto i te pō, nō te pueatanga ake ki runga ka mau i a ia te kura, ka mau i a ia te ingoa ko Te Moungaroa kia hāngai ki te ingoa o te waka o Kurahaupō. Ka rukuhia te pō, ka mau i a koe te kura.
“Nā, he aha te mahi o Kurahaupō? He mau mai i te kura nō Hawaiki, otirā ko te whāingaroa kia haria mai ki Aotearoa, engari ka pakaru ki Rangitāhuahua, i puta i te kōrero
“At the PKW Trust, we wanted to provide an opportunity, a space, for those taiao teams from all iwi and hapū around the maunga to come together to understand each other’s responsibilities and share the privilege of caring for our taiao.”
Puna Wano-Bryant
Left: Te reo workshops helped to connect language with taiao.
Below left: Keynote speaker Dr Billly van Uitregt gave a challenging and powerful kōrero.
Below: Attendees shared learning and knowledge at Muru Raupatu Marae.
whakawai he waka pakaru ki te moana, he kura mai tawhiti, ko te taenga atu o ēnā uri i tō rātou pikitanga ki Aotea me Mataatua. Ka tae ētahi ki Whangaparāoa ka kitea e Te Moungaroa kua kapi katoa te motu i ngā uri a Toi – ngā tāngata whenua i tērā wā.
“Katahi ia ka whakawhiti mai kia puta rānō mai ki tēnei taha o te motu ki Taranaki nei, engari ka tino whakakanohi ia ki te hunga i whaiwhaiātia, i mākututia rānei te waka o Kurahaupō e pakaru ai ki Rangitāhuahua me te kī, “Kāore i mau i a koutou te kura? Ko ahau te Kurahaupō, nā, ka huri ko ia tonu te kura, nō reira koia rā te tikanga – kia Taiao te kura, he kura te taiao, he kura e rokohina ake ana e te whāingaroa o te tāngata kia mau ai i a ia te kura pērā ki Te Moungaroa.”
“Kia Taiao te reo kei te hāngai tērā ki ngā mahere, ki ngā rautaki whakarauora reo e kaha kauhautia nei e Dr Ruakere Hond, arā, kei waho noa mai i ngā kura auraki nei ko te hōrapa tika e whāngai ai te reo ki ā tātou tamariki – kei roto i ngā kōhanga, i ngā kura kaupapa ki ngā wharekura tētahi wāhi nui ki a rātou – i tua atu i ērā wāhi, hoki rawa atu ki te kāinga, ki ngā whānau, ki ngā mahi ki te māra, ki ngā karapū hākinakina, aha rānei, me reo Māori i ērā wāhi.
“Kei te hāngai tā tātou tāhuhu kōrero ki ēnā rautaki whakarauora reo a Ruakere – kia Taiao te reo. Kia kaua noa iho e waiho mā ngā kura te reo e ako – engari kia puta tonu ki te taiao ki reira ākona mai ai te reo – kia reo te taiao.”
Plans are already underway for the next Kurataiao which is taking place on 25-27 September 2024 in South Taranaki, when the weather is warmer and more taiao teams can attend.
“Our vision for Kurataiao Taranaki is to be more than a conference; we want it to be a movement and a source of support for our taiao into the future,” says Puna.
“Here in Taranaki, we have seen more people on the ground in the taiao space not only working for local and central government, and councils, but in the iwi and hapū space too.”
“There’s more resource now to support our people on the ground in formal recognised roles as kaitiaki. We want Kurataiao Taranaki to grow and become a well-supported community in its own right with the full ecosystem of kaitiaki comprising of healers, creatives, gardeners, growers, hunters, fishers, technicians, planners all working together.”
“Mā te ringa raupō, mā te ringa raupā te taiao ka ara.”
Kurataiao Taranaki speakers
Liana Poutū, Te Rau Toi Tauira, Chair PKW Trust Opening address
Hana Rāwhiti-Maipi Māramataka Māori and Mana Motuhake, a Taiohi Voice
Tina Porou Te Mana o te Wai—Te Hira Pūao the Movement
Debbie Ngārewa-Packer Seabed Mining the Taranaki Context and Iwi Activism
Dr Billy van Uitgret Mātauranga Pākehā is there such a thing?
Sarah Mako RMA Reforms Tiriti window dressing?
Tonga Karena supported by Tihikura Hohaia Te Whakahī Waiata Taiao, waiata composition for the taiao
Te Reo Wānanga – Te Ātaarangi
Dr Ruakere Hond and Hawaiki Tamati
Tautohetohe Debate Panel
Tuhiao Bailey, Dr Josephine Sullivan, Puna WanoBryant vs Dion Luke, Mananui Ramsden, Dinnie Moeahu Climate Change is the world’s problem not a Māori problem.
“Our vision for Kurataiao Taranaki is to be more than a conference, we want it to be a movement and a source of support for our taiao into the future.”
Puna Wano-Bryant
The following students have been awarded scholarships:
The following students have been awarded scholarships: The following students have been awarded scholarships:
A complete list of scholarship and grant recipients will be published in Te Rau Aroha / Annual Report 2023.
