NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE
2026
ANNUAL REPORT
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
CONTENTS KO WAI MATOU
04
HE HOROPAKI
06
CHAIRMANS REPORT
08
ANNUAL REVIEW
10
FINANCIAL REPORT
11
PROPOSED BUDGET 2026-27
12
APPLICATION SNAPSHOT
14
GRANT RECIPIENTS 2025-26
16
HIGHLIGHTS 2025-26
22
CONTENTS |
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KO WAI MATOU TŪWHARETOA REPRESENTATITVES
CHAIR
Tania Te Akau
Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Hinemihi, Ngāti Manunui, Ngāti Te Kohera, Ngāti Te Rangiita, Ngāti Turumakina & Ngāti Te Maunga
Ngatoru Wall
Ngāti Tutemohuta, Ngāti Hinerau, Ngāti Hineuru
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Heemi Biddle
Ngāti Hikairo, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kurauia, Ngāti Turangitukua & Ngāti Turumakina
Marie Hartley
Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Turangitukua, Ngāti Tutemohuta & Ngāti Tutetawha
Dave Potaka
Ngati Manunui, Ngati Turangitukua, Ngati Hinuere, Ngati Turumakina
NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
NGA KAIWHAKARITE
PROJECT & FUNDING COORDINATOR
Manaia Blaikie
Ngati Turumakina, Ngati Kurauia
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Kiani Rowe
Ngāti Waewae
KO WAI MATOU |
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HE HOROPAKI OVERVIEW In 2000, following kōrero between Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Genesis Energy, an agreement was signed to recognise and mitigate the long-term effects of the Tongariro Power Development Scheme (TPDS) on our whenua, wai, and people. As part of this agreement, the Ngāti Tūwharetoa Genesis Energy Committee (NTGEC) was established to manage and distribute mitigation funding on behalf of the iwi.
Today, NTGEC continues to uphold this responsibility by supporting a wide range of initiatives across the rohe. The Committee provides funding for environmental restoration, marae infrastructure, cultural sustainability, rangatahi development, education, health, and sporting opportunities.
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
KEY OBJECTIVES Protect the taiao and wāhi tapu through environmental, cultural and scientific projects connected to the Tongariro Power Scheme.
Strengthen kaitiakitanga by ensuring Ngāti Tūwharetoa are active guardians of our whenua and wai.
Grow our rangatahi through education, health and wellbeing initiatives that build future leaders.
Involve iwi and hapū in monitoring by maximising participation in TPS consent processes and sharing results transparently.
Promote global awareness by connecting Tūwharetoa to international kaupapa on indigenous roles in hydro development.
KEY OBJECTIVES |
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CHAIR’S REPORT
CHAIR’S REPORT
NGĀ WHAKANUITANGA 2025–26
On behalf of Ngāti Tūwharetoa Genesis Energy Committee, it is both an honour and a privilege to present this annual report for the period 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, reflecting the collective efforts and aspirations of our hapū and whānau.
•
Waitangi ki Tūrangitūkua and Taiopenga: the Committee again supported large communityhosted events bringing together whānau, iwi and local pakihi Māori for days of reflection, entertainment and whakawhanaungatanga.
This has been a significant year, marking my first full year as Chair and has been a privilege to work alongside Heemi Biddle, Marie Hartley, Ngatoru Wall and Dave Potaka, together with our project and funding coordinators Manaia Blaikie and Kiani Rowe, in carrying out this important mahi on behalf of our hapū and whānau.
•
Te Mahere Kaitiaki o Ngāti Kurauia: now in year two of a three-year agreement, this kaupapa continues to deliver outstanding results for the Taiao. With traplines and 145 traps removing 937 pests, and native plantings at Maunganamu.
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Hine-Pū-Te-Hue Wānanga: our support enabled participants to reconnect with the mātauranga of Hine-Pū-Te-Hue at Korohe Marae, growing, harvesting and creating taonga from hue.
•
Te Ahi Tipua o Tūwharetoa Kapa Haka: Committee funding helped a rōpū of more than 40 kaihaka prepare for and compete at Te Arawa Kapa Haka 2026, placing 9th overall and 1st equal for kākahu.
•
Kayla Simmonds: a reminder of the long-term impact of our investment in education. Kayla, previously supported through an Education Assistance grant, has now completed her Bachelor of Applied Management with Distinction.
NGĀ WHAKAATŪRANGA My first acknowledgment is to you all, the hapū and whānau of Ngāti Tūwharetoa. Your proposals and initiatives continue to contribute greatly to the cultural, social, sporting, educational, and environmental well-being of our iwi. It has been a strong year for applications, with proposals received from right across the rohe covering marae upgrades, environmental kaitiaki mahi, wānanga, rangatahi programmes, education support and sporting achievement.
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
Beyond these highlights, the Committee also supported marae infrastructure, rangatahi programmes, a significant number of sporting grants across the rohe and beyond, and education assistance, including Growing Tūwharetoa at Home category.
PROJECT Marae Infrastructure
SUPPORT $29,955.00
Rangatahi Programmes
$36,500.00
40x Sporting Grants across the rohe and beyond Education Assistance (incl. Growing Tūwharetoa at Home)
$49,377.00 $16,000.00
KUPU WHAKAKAPI We remain committed to upholding the purpose of this fund;
“Mā koutou te pūtea nei, mā mātou hei awhi – This is your pūtea, we are here to support you.” It has been a privilege to lead the Committee through this first year, and I look forward to seeing what our whānau and hapū achieve with this pūtea in the year ahead. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa for your trust and your mahi. Ngā manaakitanga,
Tania Te Akau Chair, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Genesis Energy Committee
CHAIR’S REPORT |
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ANNUAL REVIEW PROTECTING THE TAIAO $116,212 was paid under Environmental/Wāhi Tapu and Oral History Projects in FY2025/26 — the largest year-on-year increase of any category. This includes the second-year payment of $73,262 for the threeyear Te Mahere Kaitiaki o Ngāti Kurauia agreement, the completed Hinemaiaia Kaitiakitanga raranga whāriki wānanga ($3,000), and grants to Te Waa Owens’ Rongomaikiwaiotaka kaupapa ($21,200), Tina Porou’s project ($10,000) and Chardae Biddle’s project ($8,750). This mahi strengthens the health of the taiao and supports the restoration of wāhi tapu across the rohe.
INVESTING IN WĀNANGA $42,000 was invested in wānanga during the year, supporting hapū and whānau-led Kaupapa, including Te Amo Kingi and Miriama Mariu wānanga and Ngāwaina Grace Hine-Pū-Te-Hue Wānanga at Korohe Marae. Wānanga continue to provide vital spaces for mātauranga to be shared, whanaungatanga strengthened, and tikanga upheld in meaningful and lasting ways.
SUPPORTING MARAE SUSTAINABILITY $29,955 was committed to marae infrastructure this year, supported through applications from Kim Alexander, Taina Cooper and Ngahere Wall. A further $15,000 was granted under the Marae Mātauranga Sustainability category.
STRENGTHENING WHĀNAU AND HAPŪ WELLBEING NTGEC supported iwi-wide events with $164,000 this year, funding kaupapa such as Waitangi ki Tūrangitūkua, Te Taiopenga o Ngāti Tūwharetoa Schools Kapa Haka, and other Tūwharetoa hosted events. Alongside this, $12,500 supported culturally significant trips. These events bring whānau together to celebrate, learn and connect, strengthening collective wellbeing and identity across generations.
EDUCATION AND SPORTING PATHWAYS NTGEC provided $16,000 for education assistance (including the new Growing Tūwharetoa at Home category) and $49,377 across 40 sporting grants this year. This support enabled tauira to pursue tertiary studies and rangatahi athletes to represent Ngāti Tūwharetoa nationally and internationally, ensuring financial barriers do not hold back ambition, talent, or achievement. Among this year’s tauira was Kayla Simmonds, who completed her Bachelor of Applied Management with Distinction — see Highlights.
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
FINANCIAL REPORT Figures below are the Committee’s final Xero Profit & Loss accounts for FY2025/26, compared against the prior year (FY2024/25) as previously published. All grant sub-totals are drawn directly from the Xero chart of accounts; individually itemised recipient data appears in Grant Recipients and ties exactly to these figures.
Profit and Loss
Wairākei Ahi Tāmou Rōpū (WATR) is the new name for the ‘Wairakei Relationship Group’. The group felt Tuwharetoa Genesis Energy a Ngati Māori ingoa was more appropriate. WATR arose through the new Geofuture mitigation agreement For the year ended 30 June 2026 which was signed by the Wairākei Hapū Collective and Contact Energy in Sept 2022 following extensive wānanga, korero, and hui a hapū. WATR consists of Trading Income Interest Income 3 hapū members (Tredegar Hall, Gayle Leaf, Greg Stebbing) andIncome 3 Contact members (Andy Gray, Chris Total Trading Drayton and Dominic Bowden). The hapū members Gross Profit were appointed by the Wairakei Hapū Collective members and ratified by Wairakei Charitable Trust. Other Income
Mitigation Payment
TE MIHI UENUKUKOPAKO 2A Total Other Income PROJECT UPDATE: Operating Expenses
AGM Bulk earthworks are nearing completion. A few Catering project statistics are: Moved- 665,000 tonnes of Topsoil. 462,000 tonnes of Cut & Fill. Consulting Moved& Accounting SpreadGeneral30,000 Expensessquare metres of topsoil. Spread46,000 metres ofTrips gravel and laid- 687m Grant square - Culturally Significant of stormwater pipe. The next phase is installing Grant - Education subsurface infrastructure and plant foundation Grant - Environmental Projects, Waahi Tapu and Oral History Projects work. The Wairākei Hapū Cultural Monitor has been Grant - Marae Matauranga Sustainability actively involved and has documented 9 discoveries Grant - Marae Support (Infrastructure) since the project began. Fortunately, none were Grant - Rangatahi Program human or archeologically in nature. The notifications Grant - Sporting procedure has been working well. The lead Grant - Tuwharetoa Events contractor ‘Ormat’Hosted will be moving to the prepared Grant Wananga site in late May 2025. Special Marae Grant Subscription Te Mihi stage 2a geothermal plant will produce 101MW be the first step in replacement of Travel - and Mileage theTrustees 1950’sFees Wairakei A & B station. This will remove geothermal water discharges to the Waikato Total Operating Expenses Awa and is Contacts commitment to long-term, sustainability Net Profit of the Wairakei geothermal field.
developing power stations on the whenua. The Ka Hiko programme offers mana whenua a 2–3-week training course with Vertical Horizons to gain their Level 2 and Level 3 certificates in civil construction, funded by Contact. After completing 2026the training, 2025 participants are placed with the contractors on-site with mahi throughout the duration of the build. 6,383.13
38,762.32
We’re proud to share an exciting milestone 38,762.32 from our 6,383.13 flagship training-to-employment initiative, Ka Hiko ai 6,383.13 38,762.32 te Iwi: On the 30 June 2025, eight local ākonga (students) 642,853.95 627,017.67 were inducted to the programme and began 642,853.95 627,017.67 their journey into the workforce through this collaborative programme, delivered by Contact in partnership with: Te Kapa o Te Rangiita Marae, Te 3,162.41 2,334.27 Rangiita Marae, Maroanui Marae, and Nukuhau Pā. 470.39
147.82
5,249.38 1,660.00 The June cohort have completed two weeks of 4,500.00 140.87 intensive vocational and workplace training. They 12,500.00 8,745.00 successfully completed the NZQA-accredited New 16,000.00 15,000.00 Zealand Certificate in Infrastructure Works, marking 116,212.00 397,744.00 a significant step forward in their career pathways. 15,000.00 Over the course of the programme, they will15,594.88 log 286 hours of hands-on work experience on site.232,249.15 29,954.77 36,500.00
6,600.00
The group has now transitioned from classroom49,377.00 98,105.40 based learning into employment with one of the Te 164,000.00 97,500.00 Mihi 2A project principal contractors. This kaupapa 42,000.00 35,628.95 is a testament to the power of collaboration and 304,000.00 the potential of our rangatahi when given the tools, 2,091.58 4,185.31 support, and opportunities to thrive. 764.22
505.43
16,200.00
16,200.00
135,255.33
(570,561.09)
We encourage whanau who might be interested 513,981.75 1,236,341.08 to get in touch with Meri Morehu for more information. Meriana.morehu@contactenergy.co.nz
KA HIKO: Ka Hiko is a training and employment programme established four years ago for the build of Tauhara Power station. This programme was developed to provide opportunities for local hapū where we are FINANCIAL REPORT |
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PROPOSED BUDGET 2026/27 INCOME REVENUE
$642,853.95
Annual Mitigation Funding Interest Income
EXPENDITURE
642,853.95 —
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES
Consultancy/Investment
$642,853.95
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500
Trustee Fees
15,000
Trustee Small Asset Purchases
1,500
Travel — Mileage
750
Legal Expenses
750
AGM
3,500
Subscriptions
2,500
Communications
2,500
Administrator – fixed term
45,000
$972,000
Culturally Significant Trips
18,000
Wānanga
45,000
Tūwharetoa Hosted Events
171,000
Rangatahi Programs
18,000
Environmental Projects, Wāhi Tapu & Oral History
450,000
Marae Support (Infrastructure)
171,000
Marae Mātauranga Sustainability
18,000
Education Assistance
27,000
Sporting Assistance
54,000
TOTAL EXPENSES
$1,049,000
TOTAL NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)
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5,000
Catering
GRANTS
TOTAL REVENUE
$77,000
($406,146.05)
NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
CASHFLOW FORECAST 2026/27 OPENING BANK ACCOUNT BALANCE (15 JUNE 2026)
$703,894.02
Net Surplus / (Deficit) for year ending 30 June 2027
(406,146.05)
Approved Expenditure from Prior Years (Aged Payables)
(160,268.07)
FORECASTED CLOSING BANK ACCOUNT BALANCE (30 JUNE 2027)
$137,479.90
TŪWHARETOA HOSTED EVENTS Ariki Haerenga
18,000
Toi Tūwharetoa
4,500
Taikura
13,500
Ruia Taitea
45,000
Taiopenga
36,000
Waitangi ki Tūwharetoa
13,500
Kaumātua Lunch
18,000
Discretionary
22,500
TOTAL ALLOCATION
$171,000
2025/26 BUDGET |
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APPLICATION SNAPSHOT
GRANT APPLICATIONS We received a total of 101 applications between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, from the Committee’s grants-tracking system. 76 of these were approved and paid (a 75% approval rate). 15 applications were declined because they did not meet the criteria or were incomplete, 4 were closed as duplicate submissions, 5 were withdrawn, and 1 was refunded. The Committee encourages anyone looking to apply for funding to speak with our project coordinator for assistance.
GRANT STATUS BY APPLICATION YEAR 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26
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GRANTS RECIEVED
40
92
102
101
APPROVED
34
58
60
76
DECLINED
5
32
34
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DUPLICATE
1
1
1
4
WITHDRAWN
1
1
6
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
GRANT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED VS APPROVED
2025/26 GRANT EXPEDITURE BY CATEGORY Total grants paid: $481,544 across 9 categories (Source: Xero P&L, final accounts)
APPLICATION SNAPSHOT |
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GRANT RECIPIENTS 1 JULY 2025 TO 30 JUNE 2026
EDUCATION ASSISTANCE & GROWING TŪWHARETOA AT HOME DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
May 2025
Melanie Field-Henry — Education Assistance
$3,000
Aug 2025
Parewai Wehipeihana — Education Assistance
$2,000
Feb 2026
Sara Hona — Education Assistance
$2,000
Feb 2026
Ngatoru Wall — Growing Tūwharetoa at Home
$3,000
Apr 2026
Cher Mohi — Education Assistance
$2,000
May 2026
Stevee Rihia-Reti — Education Assistance
$1,000
May 2026
Martha Blaikie — Growing Tūwharetoa at Home
$3,000
TOTAL
$16,000
RANGATAHI PROGRAM DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Aug 2025
Walter Kanawa — Ngāti Hikairo Snowsports Academy
$8,500
Feb 2026
Patricia Otimi
$5,000
Mar 2026
Taina Cooper — Tūwharetoa Fisheries
$3,000
May 2026
Gina Pohe — Tūrangi Rangatahi Hub
$20,000
TOTAL
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$36,500
NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT TRIPS DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Aug 2025
Mahora Manuel-Hepi
$500
Aug 2025
Jack Williams
$1,500
Sep 2025
Te Rina Porou-Ellis
$1,000
Nov 2025
Corey Wynyard
$4,500
Feb 2026
Patricia Otimi
$5,000
TOTAL
$12,500
HAPŪ / WĀNANGA DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Nov 2025
Te Amo Kingi - Te Arawa Regionals Campaign
$12,000
Feb 2026
Patricia Otimi - Ariki Haerenga
$10,000
Mar 2026
Mahora Manuel-Hepi – Nga Wai o Te Maunga Wananga
$2,000
Mar 2026
Ngāwaina Grace – Hue Wananga
$3,000
May 2026
Miriama Mariu - Te Ara Hautapu ki Ngati Te Rangiita
$12,000
May 2026
Nadell Karatea-Kokiri – Kahui Tuakana Wananga
$3,000
TOTAL
$42,000
GRANT RECIPIENTS |
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GRANT RECIPIENTS 1 JULY 2025 TO 30 JUNE 2026
HEALTH & WELLBEING (SPORTING)
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DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Aug 2025
Tiaraukura Te Ahuru
$1,000
Aug 2025
Tane O'Neill
$1,000
Aug 2025
Eli Toa-Te Kanawa
$500
Aug 2025
Te Ao Marama Downes
$1,000
Aug 2025
Tamehana Biddle-Downes
$1,000
Aug 2025
Te Uamairangi Taiapa
$500
Aug 2025
Vitale Perez
$1,500
Aug 2025
Tui Panui
$500
Aug 2025
Lincoln Toa-Te Kanawa
$500
Aug 2025
Waikura Taiapa
$500
Aug 2025
Casana West - Tuwharetoa Maori Rugby League Team
$3,500
Aug 2025
John Rameka
$3,750
Sep 2025
Romeo Emani
$250
Sep 2025
Ariana Hemopo
$250
Sep 2025
Tohea Rickus-Rewita
$250
Sep 2025
Kahureremoa Donaldson
$250
Sep 2025
Diamond Habib-Rameka
$250
Sep 2025
Zion Ivanyi-Duff
$250
Sep 2025
Manaaki Hallett
$250
NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
HEALTH & WELLBEING (SPORTING) - CONTINUED DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Sep 2025
Rauaiterangi Harris
$250
Sep 2025
Te Rangihiroa Harris
$250
Sep 2025
Tyler Konui-Tulloch
$250
Sep 2025
Tairongo-Hereora Pitiroi
$250
Sep 2025
Halo Hepi
$250
Sep 2025
Te Owai Boyce
$250
Sep 2025
Skylah Fletcher
$250
Sep 2025
Teaokorewarangi Marshall-Caldwell
$250
Sep 2025
Henare Pitiroi - NZMRL Tuakana Team
$6,000
Sep 2025
Elle-Jaye Fletcher-Coles
$250
Sep 2025
Major Simon
$250
Sep 2025
Knox Ivanyi-Duff
$250
Sep 2025
Snyder Rewiri
$250
Sep 2025
Kupa Daji-Te Heuheu
$250
Oct 2025
Lee O'Brien
$250
Nov 2025
Hokowaka Akuhata – Tuwharetoa Touch Nationals Team
$6,764
Nov 2025
Roera Hartley – Tag Tournament Oceania Cup Tag Teams
$7,654
Nov 2025
Roera Hartley – Aotearoa Ki-o-Rahi Nationals
$3,204
Nov 2025
Astoria Moanaroa
$1,000
Nov 2025
Anthoney Hemopo – Tuwharetoa Rangatahi Basketball Team
$4,005
Feb 2026
Tahu Aumua
$250 TOTAL
$49,400
GRANT RECIPIENTS |
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GRANT RECIPIENTS 1 JULY 2025 TO 30 JUNE 2026
MARAE SUPPORT (INFRASTRUCTURE) DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Feb 2026
Kim Alexander – Pukawa Marae
$10,454.77
Mar 2026
Taina Cooper – Pakira Marae
$2,500
May 2026
Ngahere Wall — Tūwharetoa House at Ratana Pā
$17,000
TOTAL
$29,954.77
TŪWHARETOA HOSTED EVENTS DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Aug 2025
Matthew Northcroft – Tutetawha Marae Opening
$21,000
Aug 2025
Janice Wall – Tuwharetoa Taiopenga
$25,000
Nov 2025
Patricia Otimi – Ruia Taitea
$60,000
Nov 2025
Kim Alexander – Kaumatua Lunch
$20,000
Nov 2025
Sierra Tulloch – Waitangi ki Tuwharetoa
$15,000
Feb 2026
Patricia Otimi – Ariki Haerenga
$10,000
Mar 2026
Les Owens - Taikura
$10,000
May 2026
Piata Winitana-Murray - Toi Tuwharetoa
$3,000
TOTAL
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$164,000
NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
ENVIRONMENTAL, WĀHI TAPU AND ORAL HISTORY DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Aug 2025
Chardae Biddle — He Taonga Tuku Iho
$8,750
Sep 2025
Awhina Pitiroi — Hinemaiaia Kaitiakitanga
$3,000
Sep 2025
Ngahuia Foreman — Te Mahere Kaitiaki o Ngāti Kurauia
$73,262
Oct 2025
Tina Porou – Kura Taiao
$10,000
Nov 2025
Te Waa Owens — Rongomaikiwaiotaka
$21,200
$116,212
TOTAL
MARAE MATAURANGA (SUSTAINABILITY) DATE
RECIPIENT / GRANT
SUPPORT
Feb 2026
Patricia Otimi - Ariki Haerenga
$10,000
Mar 2026
Eugene Netana – Te Reo Revitalisation Wananga
$5,000
TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL PAID: (ACROSS ALL CATEGORIES)
$15,000
$481,543.77
GRANT RECIPIENTS |
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HIGHLIGHTS 2025-2026 NGATI HIKAIRO SNOW ACADEMY - RANGATAHI Ngāti Hikairo Snow Academy successfully delivered its 2025 winter programme, providing 17 rangatahi with the opportunity to strengthen their connection to their maunga, build confidence and learn new skills in a safe and supportive environment. For Ngāti Hikairo, the programme is about more than learning to snowboard. It creates a pathway for our tamariki to stand confidently on their whenua, grow their sense of belonging and experience the maunga as uri of Ngāti Hikairo and Ngāti Tūwharetoa. A highlight was the Happy Valley Rail Jam, where 11 participants competed for the first time and four won prizes. Through this kaupapa, we are nurturing confident and connected uri who understand that the maunga is not simply a place they visit - it is part of who they are. By supporting our rangatahi to learn, grow and challenge themselves on their whenua, we uphold our responsibility as kaitiaki and strengthen the connection between our tamariki, their whakapapa and their Ngāti Hikairo identity.
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
NGĀWAINA GRACE — WĀNANGA Growing Knowledge, Honouring Whakapapa In March 2026, 24 participants gathered at Korohe Marae for the Hine-Pū-Te-Hue Wānanga, reconnecting with the mātauranga of hue — from cultivation and maramataka through to harvesting, mahi toi and taonga pūoro. The wānanga was led by Rawiri Timu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa Kaiako of Mahi Toi and kaiwhakatipu hue, and coordinated by Ngāwaina Grace, a Ngāti Tūwharetoa Mahi Toi Practitioner, Kaiako and Master’s research candidate in Māori Visual Arts. The programme combined classroom learning with hands-on time in the māra hue, giving participants — including kaumātua, pakeke and whānau — the complete journey of the hue from seed to taonga. Every participant created and completed their own hue taonga to take home. Genesis Committee funding of $3,000 enabled the wānanga to be fully resourced, with experienced facilitators delivering the programme in an environment grounded in tikanga Māori.
“He taonga tuku iho te hue, he taonga tuku iho te mātauranga.” The hue is a treasured inheritance, as is the knowledge that accompanies it.
HIGHLIGHTS 2025 - 2026 |
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HIGHLIGHTS 2025-2026 TE AHI TIPUA O TŪWHARETOA — KAPA HAKA Six Months of Dedication, 34 Minutes on Stage With Committee support of $12,000, Te Ahi Tipua o Tūwharetoa Kapa Haka brought together more than 40 kaihaka from across the motu for 12 wānanga between October 2025 and March 2026, culminating in their campaign at Te Arawa Kapa Haka 2026. With around 70% of the kapa first-time kaihaka, training intensified from January, moving to weekly wānanga and evening practices running through to midnight. The rōpū placed 9th overall, with 1st equal for Kākahu and 2nd equal for Titonga Hou (new composition), and 3rd placings in Kaitātaki Wahine and Waiata-ā-ringa. Alongside the competitive campaign, the kapa supported their wider community — preparing and delivering kai for volunteer firefighters during the November 2025 Tongariro fires, and performing at the Ruia Taitea festival.
“Six months of dedication came down to 34 minutes on stage - giving everything we had.”
AFTER
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NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
KAYLA SIMMONDS — EDUCATION An Investment That Pays Forward NTGEC Education Assistance category is designed to ease the financial pressure of tertiary study so that Tūwharetoa tauira can focus on their studies and achieve to their full potential. This year, that investment paid off: Kayla Jade Pohe Simmonds, previously supported through an Education Assistance grant, completed her Bachelor of Applied Management with Distinction from Otago Polytechnic in 2026.
HIGHLIGHTS 2025 - 2026 |
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HIGHLIGHTS 2025-2026 TE MAHERE KAITIAKI O NGĀTI KURAUIA Kaitiakitanga in Action Across the Tokaanu Basin Now in year two of a three-year project, Ngāti Kurauia Taiao Committee has established a multilayered kaitiaki programme across the Tokaanu basin, protecting the taiao alongside the Tokaanu/ Whakamaru transmission duplexing project, and rebuilding native habitat at Maunganamu. Two results stand out. 937 PESTS REMOVED, AND THE MAHI IS NOW HAPŪ-LED Four traplines and 145 individual traps have removed 937 pests, feral cats, hedgehogs, mice, rats, possums, stoats and weasels between August 2025 and the end of April 2026. Trap numbers are already starting to taper off in the areas installed first, a sign the programme is doing its job, and the focus is shifting to re-assessing trap placement to keep results climbing. Just as significant: after engaging Call of the Wild to install and maintain all four lines, the Taiao Committee has now trained a Kurauia uri to fully manage installation, maintenance and day-to-day operation of the entire trapping network, kaitiakitanga capability that stays in the hapū long after this agreement ends.
937
PESTS REMOVED SINCE AUG 2025
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PLANT LOSS AT MAUNGANAMU
UNDER 1% PLANT LOSS, AGAINST AN EXPECTED 20–40% The native plantings at Maunganamu have established with less than 1% loss, dramatically better than the 20–40% loss originally expected. Clear communication between the Taiao Committee and local whānau saw horse grazing restricted to the back paddocks specifically to give the young plants room to take hold. A simple, relationship-led fix that made the difference. The planting day that added over 2,500 plants to the site also brought our next generation into the mahi direct.
“Although the Committee has not funded every action, we have included a full overview to show how your tautoko has supported this work.”
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TRAPLINES, HAPŪ-MANAGED
E M AR IK I TE N D TH W H ĀN AU AN D TA AM U G S AT M AU N G AN N TI AN PL E IV AT N
NGĀTI TŪWHARETOA GENESIS ENERGY COMMITTEE - ANNUAL REPORT 2026
TE ARA HAUTAPU KI NGĀTI TE RANGIITA Te Ara Hautapu ki Ngāti Te Rangiita was a threemonth programme that brought uri together to reconnect with their whenua, whakapapa and cultural knowledge. Four wānanga were held at Waitetoko Marae between May and July 2026. Through activities focused on the environment, gathering kai, strengthening whānau connections and learning about the stars, participants gained practical knowledge grounded in mātauranga passed down through generations. The programme concluded with Ngāti Te Rangiita first hautapu ceremony, strengthening the relationship between whānau and the taiao. The photos show highlights from the first wānanga, Tupuānuku, which focused on walking the whenua, mahinga kai, whanaungatanga and tātai whetū.
HIGHLIGHTS 2025 - 2026 |
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