Issue 70 June 2023

New Zealand Human Rights Commission calls on United Nations to hold Government to account for breaching Wairarapa Moana human rights

He Pā Harakeke: He whakakīkī i ngā whāruarua

A pā harakeke is often used as a metaphor to depict the familial relationships. The flax grows in clumps of three – with the shoot in the middle being the ‘rito’. If the rito were to be cut, the parent shoots on its immediate sides will perish.

Hei whakakīkī ī ngā whāruarua is about filling in those gaps where shoots are missing. The plight of Wairarapa Moana is to ensure those familial relationships are recognised in the context of these claims.

On 18 April 2023 Anne Carter, Committee of Management member, addressed the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York. She described the passing of settlement legislation whilst Wairarapa Moana Incorporation

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Director, Anne Carter, at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York

had active legal proceedings before the Waitangi Tribunal as “an egregious act by the New Zealand Government.”

“They:

• Breached Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand).

• Forced a settlement of our claim without our free, informed, and prior consent.

• Violated our human right to have our claim and lawful rights heard and properly determined by the New Zealand courts.

• Have repeatedly acted in a way which is inconsistent with the intent and articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

“We have been denied access to justice.”

Professor Claire Charters, Rongomau Taketake (Indigenous Rights Governance Partner), at New Zealand Human Rights Commission, in a statement to the United Nations Permanent Forum the following day, called on the United Nations to hold the New Zealand Government to account for breaching

Wairarapa Moana human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights. Charters told the Forum: “The Commission supports the Wairarapa Moana group represented here at the Permanent Forum.”

“As they claim, Parliament’s legislative override of their lands, territories and resources, recognised by the independent Waitangi Tribunal and the Supreme Court, is of upmost concern. Such action is abhorrent to the rule of law, fundamental human rights and indigenous peoples’ rights under the Declaration.

Journey to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York

Anne Carter’s personal reflections on the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, New York, April 2023.

Why did Wairarapa Moana Incorporation decide to attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), New York, April 2023?

When the New Zealand Government passed legislation removing the jurisdiction of the Waitangi Tribunal to hear our resumption application in the middle of active legal proceedings, that action constituted a breach of our human rights, and our rights as indigenous peoples.

As far as we’re aware, the only other time a New Zealand Government has done something similar was in relation to Ngāti Apa, and the Foreshore and Seabed. There is an element here of racial discrimination. Our decision to go to New York was basically to highlight this action to the United Nations, and the UNPFII. Many Māori organisations throughout Aotearoa encouraged us down this path. Like us, they don’t think the New Zealand Government’s action should just be swept under the carpet, without consequences.

The New Zealand Human Rights Commission has called on the United Nations to hold the New Zealand Government to account. We agree.

What was it like at the United Nations?

It was great being amongst so many other indigenous peoples. While we all have different issues and challenges, we stood united in helping each other to have our voices heard. I felt very privileged to represent Wairarapa Moana Incorporation owners at the forum.

Highlights?

Day 3, when Professor Claire Charters, New Zealand Human Rights Commission spoke in support of the Wairarapa Moana statement. I had a little tangi.

Day 5, the opportunity for a one-on-one with Francisco CaliTzay, Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Issues to discuss Wairarapa Moana and our concerns about the actions of the New Zealand Government. He reminded me that he was a member of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that investigated the New Zealand Government’s actions in relation to the Foreshore and Seabed.

Biggest Challenge?

Getting my message to the United Nations Permanent Forum in 3 minutes. Not 3 minutes, 10 secs. Three minutes, and then your mic is turned off.

Gratitude and thanks

Professor Claire Charters, New Zealand Human Rights Commission for her support and guidance.

Alex Hill, Auckland University for assisting with our package of material for Permanent Forum members.

Annette Sykes, Legal Counsel for the Pouākani Claims Trust for the whakataukī for our statement to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Francisco Cali-Tzay Professor Claire Charters

Federation of Māori Authorities Award recognises contribution to whenua Māori

At the recent Federation of Māori Authorities (FOMA) Summit at the Wharewaka, Wellington, Anne Carter received the Me Uru Kahikatea Award for her contribution to FOMA. The award was in recognition of her services to Māori.

A big focus of Anne’s mahi in recent times has been on the sustainable use of whenua Māori, Te Ture Whenua Māori, changes to resource management, and advocacy for Māori rights and interests in natural resources, particularly Māori land entities, marae, ahi kā, hapū.

In accepting the award, Anne emphasised that her work for Māori landowners and FOMA was a reflection of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation’s commitment to rangatiratanga, kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga and kotahitanga.

She acknowledged the support of her whānau, both Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Raukawa ki Tonga.

Golden Shears is back…

2023 saw the Golden Shears bounce back after two years of Covid-related cancellations. Three days of nonstop action and entertainment, the Golden Shears is the pinnacle of international shearing and wool handling competitions.

More than eighty competitors from overseas registered for the event, among more than 370 vying for top honours.

Champion shearer, Rowland Smith, achieved the goal he’d set all season, when he won an eighth Golden Shears Open shearing title at the Trust House Recreation Centre in Masterton, home of the Golden Shears.

In the wool pressing, Masterton’s Goodger brothers again battled for the men’s singles title, with Jeremy scoring a fourteenth win, claiming the title back from brother Vinnie, winner four times in a row from 2017 to 2020.

A 10-year-old shearer added another dimension to the multi-generational whānau involvement in the wool industry when he participated in the Novice Heats of the shearing. Among the fifty-one novice shearers was Wairua Edmonds, of Masterton, in competition for the first time, and the fourth generation of the family spanning almost 61 years of competition since it was first held in 1961. His dad, Levi; koro Dave; and great-grandfather, Milton Edmonds, have all competed at the Golden Shears.

Wairarapa Moana director, Sonya Rimene, was on hand to present the prizes to the competitors in the Wairarapa Moana Māori / Pākehā Teams Shearing event.

WMI is proud to sponsor the Māori / Pākehā teams’ event at the Golden Shears. “Whenua, whānau and kaimahi are most important to us at WMI,” said Sonya, and they sure were in abundance at this year’s Golden Shears.

Placings in the event:

1. David Gordon and Jacob Moore

2. Whakapunake (Naki) Maraki and Paul Hodges

3. Reuben Alabaster and Matthew Hunt

Golden Shears Māori/Pakeha Teams

Anne Carter and Traci Houpapa

Kingi Smiler Inducted into NZ Business Hall of Fame

Every year businesspeople are selected as businessperson for the year. Established in 1994 by Young Enterprise, the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates individuals who have made a significant contribution to the economic and social development of New Zealand.

Laureates are admitted to the Hall at an annual black-tie gala dinner. Each Laureate has a story of enterprise, hard work and success. Most have contributed generously to their communities.

We are proud to announce that Kingi Smiler has been selected Businessperson for his contribution to Māori AgriBusiness.

Kingi traces his whakapapa to ancestors who experienced first-hand the devastating effects of colonisation and the loss of Māori land. They left a legacy of advocating strongly for the return and development of land under Māori ownership and control. Achieving significant legislative changes affecting Māori land and the ongoing campaign to seek justice for the return of whānau land taken by the Crown in the 1940s, reflects Kingi’s dedication to their legacy.

Kingi established the first Māori owned dairy company Miraka Limited and has led many major investments and developments across dairy, sheep and beef, horticulture and forestry in Māori agribusiness.

Tribes:

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Te Atiawa, Whakatohea, Tuhoe.

• Kingi Smiler has over 40 years of business experience including eight years in Toronto, Canada, specialising in business and corporate restructuring. As a partner with Ernst & Young, Kingi was the National Partner responsible for coordinating services to Māori as well as holding various senior roles in corporate appraisals and investments, audit and strategic advice.

• Over the last twenty years Kingi has applied his commercial and business experience to Māori agribusiness and has been instrumental in a series of key initiatives which, combined, have significantly contributed to the Māori economic development gains today. Kingi is currently involved in governance roles responsible for the growth and development of at least $1billion of land and assets in New Zealand.

• Kingi holds a number of appointments and chairs many of the largest, most successful Māori owned agribusiness entities in the world: Wairarapa Moana Incorporation; Wi Pere Trust; Mangatu Incorporation; Tairawhiti Land Development Trust; and Miraka Limited. His achievements are significant. Kingi has:

⦾ Wairarapa Moana Incorporation – serves as a board member and also Chair for over twenty years, led the organisation through a period of significant restructure and refocus. WMI now operates a herd of 12,000 cows comprising 12 dairy units, producing 5.0million kilograms of milk solids a year along with 6,000 hectares of forestry. As a direct result of the restructure pre-tax profits over the last ten years have totalled $22.5million, with dividends to shareholders totalling $7.1million. Assets have grown from $74.4million in 2002 to $262million in 2016, to $315million in 2021.

⦾ Wi Pere Trust – As a trustee on Wi Pere Trust, Kingi has led a strategy which promotes a sustainable business management model to leverage total assets of $146million for the ongoing wealth and wellbeing of the Trust’s many shareholders.

⦾ Mangatu Incorporation – Is a director on Mangatu Incorporation and Integrated Foods Limited and is a key player in the development of a joint processing and exporting enterprise with total assets of $285million.

⦾ Tairawhiti Land Development Trust – Kingi also chaired the Tairawhiti Land Development Trust involved with productivity programmes with over twenty farms and 250,000 stock units on the East Coast.

Kingi Smiler

Wairarapa Moana Social, Cultural and Wellbeing Services Investment

In August 2022, the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation and the Wairarapa Moana Trust commissioned a review of the Wairarapa Moana Trust (the Trust).

The review included a survey to collect the views of shareholders and whānau to inform final recommendations presented at the October 2022 AGM.

The following five recommendations were presented and were unanimously agreed to:

• Wind up the Wairarapa Moana Trust.

• Establish a social and cultural investments team within the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation.

• Confirm that current kaupapa would be retained as a focus into the future arrangements.

• Increase our investments across more social, cultural and wellbeing domains.

• Explore other funding and investment opportunities over time.

A project team has been formed to plan the implementation.

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⦾ Kahui Wai Māori Advisory Group – As Chairperson since 2018, Kingi has led the development of Te Mana o te Wai and its integration within the National Policy Statement –Freshwater Management 2020, the requirements of which give legal effect to Te Mana o te Wai and the inclusion of Mahinga Kai in the National Objectives Framework are significant changes. The improvements in our waterways over time, and requirements for local authorities to work in partnership with tangata whenua will benefit all of Aotearoa New Zealand now and for generations to come.

⦾ Miraka – Led in the creation of a strategic group of Māori Trusts and Incorporations and other strategic partners to establish an independent milk processing plant in 2011. After five years this company exports to more than twenty-three countries. Miraka is also a national and world leader in sustainable best practice dairy production. In 2016 Miraka received the Matariki Award Te Tupu-a-Nuku for Business and Innovation.

Winding Down the Trust

As agreed, the Trust is being wound down and work to finalise this is underway. It is expected the wind down will be completed by July 2023.

Phased Approach to Investment

The project team has considered the breadth of implementation and has agreed to adopt a two-phased approach over two years.

Activities in Phase One – Year One

Grants

• Continue to administer educational scholarships, marae, and Moanatanga grants.

Database

• To collect and store the whakapapa connections between whānau a database system is needed. We will develop a Whakapapa Register to the Original 139 owners in Wairarapa Moana 1882 Deed No 431.

• The intention is to collect whakapapa information which will be stored securely, can be updated regularly and is accessible by the grant’s administration team.

Future Scope Cultural/Social/Housing Programme

• It is anticipated that other cultural/social/housing work will be a multi-year work programme that will need to be developed first.

Activities in Phase Two – Year Two

In year 2, a team will be required to carry out the initial core functions and activities under each investment area. The team will implement the full work programme, will be responsible for administering the grants, and as the team becomes established, will also be responsible for securing new funding.

The skills, knowledge and experience required to be successful in the new roles include:

• demonstrated knowledge of social, cultural and wellbeing activities.

• development and funding frameworks.

• project and programme management experience.

• strategic oversight and planning.

• risk and issues management and mitigation; and

• relationship development experience.

We will keep you notified with updates in the Mailer as we walk through the process.

Pre-AGM Roadshows

This year our roadshows will be held

Roadshows and Annual General Meetings 2023

Voting Papers

Due to Australian postal issues in 2022 shareholders experienced a delay in receiving their AGM packs and voting papers. We are encouraging all shareholders and especially those living offshore to ensure their email address and mobile numbers are up to date on the share register so electionz.com can provide email and mobile notifications that will offer an added opportunity to cast your vote online, if you wish to use this option.

The team at Wairarapa Moana looks forward to meeting with whānau to provide an update on the business and activities of the past year. Venue details will be provided closer to the time.

Annual General Meetings

The Wairarapa Moana Trust and Wairarapa Moana Incorporation Annual General Meetings will be held on Saturday 7th October 2023 in Greytown. We look forward to seeing you at Kuranui College. Livestreaming of the meetings will be available on the day.

Nominations to Wairarapa Moana Incorporation

Nominations to the Committee of Management open Monday 7 August and close 12.00pm Friday 25 August 2023.

Anne Carter and TeHoripo Karaitiana are due to retire by rotation and are eligible for re-election.

An extraordinary vacancy is also available due to the resignation of Naomi Aporo. The duration of this position is for the remainder of Naomi’s term, being 1 year.

Nominations must be in writing and signed by both the proposing shareholder and the candidate. The candidate must include a personal statement of no more than 400 words explaining why they are seeking election onto the Committee of Management, as well as their relevant skills and expertise, and a recent digital photo.

If after the closing date more than three nominations are received, electionz.com will manage the election process by sending voting papers and candidates’ personal statements to all shareholders with a current address on the share register.

The Committee of Management are elected by shareholders and are responsible for approving the strategic direction for the incorporation and are also responsible for monitoring performance against the strategy.

2023

Dates to Remember

WAIRARAPA MOANA INCORPORATION

August 7 Nomination forms for election to Committee of Management are available from WMI Secretary, Masterton.

August 11 Notification of all resolutions for the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation Notice of Meeting close at 12.00pm. Resolutions must be received by the WMI Secretary, Wairarapa Moana office, 4 Park Ave, Masterton or PO Box 2019, Kuripuni, Masterton 5842 by 12.00pm. Resolutions received after 12.00pm August 11 will not be considered.

August 25 Nominations close 12.00pm for election to Committee of Management. Late nominations will not be considered.

August 31 Notice of Meetings and Annual Reports will be posted to shareholders.

September 8 Voting papers and candidate profiles for election to Committee of Management and AGM Resolutions will be posted to shareholders.

October 5 All postal & electronic voting closes at 12.00pm.

October 7 Annual General Meeting.

16-17 September 23-24 September

Auckland Hawke's Bay

Wellington Christchurch

Rotorua Gisborne

Summer Sizzler 2023 –with Wairarapa Moana

Descendant Dean Southey

Ko Tararua te maunga

Ko Wairarapa te roto

Ko Papawai te marae

Ko Gavin Southey taku papa

Ko Raewyn Rutene taku mama

Ko Dean Southey taku ingoa

After months of hard training and dedication, Wairarapa Moana descendant, Dean Southey, proudly competed in the Wairarapa Moana sponsored Waikato River Trails Summer Sizzler 22km fun/run walk event, making his way through the stunning trails and farmlands alongside the Waikato River and across the Whakamaru Dam, to eventually finish at Mangakino Lakefront on the shore of Lake Maraetai. Dean was ecstatic to place 11th overall, with a time of 2 hours and 5 minutes and, with that, Dean achieved his goal of enjoying every minute and great preparation for Ironman 2023.

We take a Look at the Mangakino Shuttle Service ...

Having lived and worked in Mangakino for just on thirty years, Peter Shelton and Wairarapa Moana descendant, Lois Te Maari Shelton, started Mangakino Shuttle Service in 2017.

Mangakino Shuttle Service operates out of the Mangakino and Whakamaru areas, which are located near the geographical centre of the North Island of New Zealand, the hub of the North Island Trails and the middle of the Waikato River Trail.

Mangakino Shuttle Service provides a drop-off and pick up service, anywhere accessible by vehicle, along the Trails, and organises accommodation and luggage transfers for customers. Our main focus is on providing transport and information on the Trails for cyclists, walkers and runners, however, due to requests we are now also available for: Airport Shuttles, Concerts, Corporate Events and Day Trips etc.

Over the last five years we have enjoyed the privilege of providing a shuttle service to a range of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation functions and activities, for which we have been very grateful.

You can find us on Facebook and our website is:

mangakinoshuttleservice.com Or just ring Peter on: 0274 737 496

According to Potangaroa – who is Professor of Resilient and Sustainable Buildings [Māori Engagement] at Massey University – this is a prime example of how one damaged rural road can have a major impact on local marae. Due to the ruined road, Papauma Marae is “also a badly munted marae … [It] has had its cultural carpet pulled out from underneath it”, he said.

“Our Kaumātua now have a big problem – it’s taking them at least an hour longer to get out to the marae.”

Potangaroa made his remarks during the final hearing of evidence held on Māori adaptations to climate change as part of his submission, which was informed by his work on a study of climate change’s impact on every marae in the country.

Funded by the Building Research Association of New Zealand, the study is expected to be delivered at the end of May.

Potangaroa told the committee the original forecast of when marae would be affected by climate change was “way off”.

“It’s happening now. No one is exactly sure how to respond,” noted Potangaroa, who was one of two Wairarapa leaders who addressed the committee session.

Marae ‘munted’ by Climate Crisis

The presentation of the other local leader – Wairarapa Moana Incorporation general manager, Anaru Smiler, focused on how the weight of responding to climate crises is falling too heavily on marae. The Government needs to recognise the issue, Smiler told the committee. Marae are often leading the crisis response for their communities, “but we receive absolutely no support”, Smiler said. On top of that, insurance premiums for marae are going through the roof.

“One marae ... is paying $120,000, $150,000 a year in insurance,” Smiler said.

“I’m concerned around how marae are going to survive when they have to face those kinds of costs.”

And it isn’t just marae that need support, said Smiler, who suggested Government and industry could do more to invest in Māori infrastructure and small Māori landowners.

“We actually find trying to connect with Government and industry – in terms of the support that is provided there –really onerous.”

In fact, Smiler told the committee, trying to attract funding from Government agencies is actually more trouble than it’s worth.

“There is a lot of a lack of trust between Government and industry and landowners and we’re unfortunately swept up in that as well.”

But if Māori are to successfully adapt to climate change, this will have to be addressed, Smiler said – and “they need to listen”.

A rethink is required and the mana whakahaere [governance or authority] approach is the most appropriate way, he said, which means “recognising the full range of rights and interests at play in our communities”.

“By Māori, for Māori, across that full spectrum.”

The road to the Papauma Marae complex on Wairarapa’s northern coast is “completely munted”, Professor Regan Potangaroa recently told Parliament’s Māori Affairs Committee.

Climate change is affecting marae across the board, the Māori Affairs Select Committee has heard. Papauma Marae on Wairarapa's east coast is no exception.

Photos courtesy of Wairarapa Times-Age

Marae Update

Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae

Ka tiakanga, ka tipu, ka puāwai.

Protect it and it will grow then blossom.

Myrtle rust is a wind-borne fungal disease that attacks new growth of leaves, stems, flowers and fruit, with severe infections that will lead to the demise of some of our important, exotic plants.

With the recent discovery of the fungal disease at Uhi Manuka and Lowes Bush, Te Papa Atawhai

(DOC) and Wairarapa Iwi representatives from Rangitāne and Kahungunu were welcomed onto Hurunui-o-Rangi Marae to hear a presentation by Plant Pathogens Technical Advisor, Suliana Teasdale.

A desire to involve Iwi and marae and landowners to help identify and to eliminate the disease, was met with a willingness to learn more.

Standing L–R: Henare Manaena, Kathy Houkamau, Paul Gasson, Ian Brown, Paikea Te Whare, Peta Campbell, Amber Craig, Graeme Le Cock, Kereana NaeraSims.

Sitting L–R: Courtney Kete, Bonnie Feng, Suliana Teasdale, Nanny Frances Reiri-Smith, Ronnie Priest, Te Rua (Pepī), Hamuera Ludden.

Apologies: Horipo Rimene, Rāwiri Smith

Mana whakahaere requires an inclusive approach and partnership, Smiler said.

“We must be included on any community-based decision or rules ... if we are to manage these interests properly … [It’s about] how we respond to survive.”

The April hearing was the last of a series held this year. The committee will now decide whether to seek expert advice to inform a report, or to make recommendations back to Parliament.

Courtesy of Wairarapa Times-Age

Kohunui Marae Trustees 2023

Anne Firmin

Marae Chair

Nursery Director

Lee Kuini Flutey Deputy Chair

Cultural freshwater monitoring coordinator and Te Tai Ao

Kaiawhina o te reo Māori

Kaikaranga

Terry Te Maari Treasurer

Nursery Administration

Cassandra Connolly Trustee

King Tipoki Building Maintenance

Violet Edwards-Hina Secretariat and Bookings Officer

Māori Standing Committee –South Wairarapa District Council

Taiao

Kaikaranga

Kaiwhatu

Rongoa

Marae Caterer

Nursery Director

Aperahama Matenga

Kaumātua

Notification of a Deceased Shareholder

If you know of any shareholder who has passed away please inform the office.

This will enable us to keep our records up to date, and we can also provide assistance on succeeding to the Wairarapa Moana Incorporation shares and any other Māori land interests.

He hono tangata e kore e motu; kā pā he taura waka e motu.

Unlike a canoe rope, a human bond can never be severed.

Ma runga i te aroha, kia mau ki tō whanau me ngā whakapapa ka ora ai te tamaiti.

From a place of love, hold fast to your family and your connection to your ancestors for the wellbeing of future generations.

These whakataukī encourage people to nurture, love and care for whānau members, the idea of collective responsibility which emphasises the importance of whānau and their connection to each other.

Recollections of Whānau on Pouākani – Colin Parker

In June 1952 my parents Alfred and Thelma Parker, brother Gary, sister Beverley and myself, Colin, came to Pouākani to start farming as my father won a ballot for a farm there.

As I recall early farmers were Pai Te Whaiti, Sonny Kaio, Len Puriri, Tui Hemi, Ted Rewi, Tom Haeata, Dick Te Whaiti, Puki Namana, Naera Greenland, Guy Pura, Tui Te Maari, Hoppy Halberg, Lou Palmer, John Ahipene, Alf Parker, Barlow Karaitiana, Harry Te Whaiti, Fred Palmer, Bill Te Miha, Allan McMeekin, Ben Taplin and two other sheep farmers, Sam Te Whaiti and Masha Herangi. These are the names as best as I recall.

After the original settlers, farms became vacant and were resettled with other settlers (as best as I can remember); Bob Ahipene, Bob Parry, Ben Whitiwhiti, Dave McMacky, Peter Mason, Chris Moore, Wally and Doreen Hewitt, Pokuru Bristowe, Bernie Parker, Russell Parker, the Clarke Family (first names elude me), Jerry Parkinson, Hekenui (Captain) Carter. If I have missed anyone I sincerely apologise as this was a long time ago.

Below are the farm numbers and the farmers as I remember:

15 Naera Greenland

16 Guy Pura

17 Tui Te Maari

19 Hoppy Halberg

20 Lou Palmer

21 John Ahipene

22 Alfred Parker

23 George Ahipene

24 Barlow Karaitiana

25 Harry Te Whaiti

26 Fred Palmer

Contact Amethyst on 0800 662 624 or wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz

12

27 Bill Te Miha

28? Ben Taplin

29? Allan McMeekin

We would welcome any thoughts, comments, or recollections to complete the record.

Sheep Unit 1

Sam Te Whaiti

Sheep Unit 2

Masha Herangi

Colin Parker and Ngaere Webb

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Martha Sarah Kahui Bragg aka Hutana

Martha Sarah Kāhui Ihakara (Isaac) was born on 30 March 1895 at The Neck, Stewart Island. Her mother was Mereana Louise Mapepe Isaac (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe and Waitaha). Martha’s father, Walter Bruce Joss, was second mate on the Government steamer, Hinemoa.

In 1900, Mereana married fisherman, David Wybrow. It is understood that Martha was a half-sister of Tini Mare Wybrow, who married into Wairarapa, marrying Kikiwa (Tilly) Ahipene from Waimarie, south Featherston. Little is known of Martha’s early life and education but she was brought up mainly on Ruapuke Island, one of New Zealand’s southernmost islands, lying 15 kilometres to the south-east of Bluff, and worked as a housemaid at Mataura for a short period.

Martha’s marriage to Whare Ihaka Whakaka Hutana in Wellington on 7 January 1915 was opposed by her whānau, who had selected her for a local man in order to unite the land of the two families. Martha eloped with only a few clothes. Whare Hutana, the son of Ihaka Whakaka Hutana and Rina Ihakara, was from Pirinoa, south Wairarapa. His hapū was Rakaiwhakairi, a people of mixed Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Ira, Rangitāne and Ngāi Tara descent. He inherited land interests at Pūtangitangi, on the northern side of the Turanganui River, where the family farmed together.

Whare and Martha were to have three sons and two daughters. They also took in two sons as whangai, and later legally adopted their half-sister. In this way, Martha began her surrogate parenting, which, despite many tragedies, was to see her successfully bring up thirty-eight children.

Whare Hutana died on 15 August 1929, leaving Martha to cope with the farm and the children on her own with little income. She began housekeeping for the family of David Warren, a local dairy farmer and sheep breeder, who gave her two cows. Other farmers in the district gave Martha culled heifers and cows, milk cans, a cart and an old horse and she began a dairy operation. Martha and her sons handmilked their forty cows between them and then carted the milk five miles to the Pirinoa Co-op Dairy Company’s factory. When the horse bolted and smashed the cart, the directors of the dairy factory bought Martha a 1926 Dodge.

On 27 December 1936, at Pirinoa, Martha married Joseph William (Joe) Bragg, a labourer. The son of John Kaiporahu Bragg (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Mamoe), and his wife, Sarah Owen, Joe had been raised at Martha’s own birthplace at Stewart Island. After their marriage, Joe assisted Martha on her farm and also worked for the Warren family at Turanganui. In 1941 Martha received a loan from the Native Department to build a new mechanised cow shed, at that time the most modern in the district. Eventually her milking herd numbered 80 to 100 animals.

Although Martha and Joe had no children of their own, from the 1930s she regularly took in disadvantaged children. She fed and clothed them at her own expense, trained them in farm and domestic work, personal grooming and hygiene and gave them without favouritism the love and firm discipline she gave her own children. She sent most of them to Pirinoa School where, on at least one occasion, she berated the teacher for strapping one of them too severely. From then on the teacher had to get Martha’s permission before punishing any of her children. When her boys got older and assisted with the farm work she paid them a small wage and helped them bank their money regularly.

In about the 1950s, Martha turned to the Morman faith.

In the early 1950s she revisited Stewart Island for the first time since her first marriage and worked the titi (muttonbird) islands, taking some of her children with her. Her family recalled her strength and fitness at that time. She was able to swing an axe as well as the strongest of men. She was also active in the planning and building of the meeting house at Kohunui, opened in 1956.

In 1961 Martha’s eldest daughter died of cancer, aged 39, leaving five children from two marriages. Martha had already taken in the two children from the first marriage, and, although now in her mid-sixties, she demanded that the other three be handed into her care. Two of the children were awarded to her. Later she took in another grand-daughter, the last of her fostered family.

Joe Bragg died on 22 April 1966 and in her last years Martha was cared for by one of her foster sons and his wife. She died on 26 May 1975 at Masterton Hospital and was buried at Kohunui urupa. She was survived by one son and numerous foster children.

In a life scarred by the deaths of many of her immediate whānau, Martha Bragg, known to all as “Nan Bragg”, combined integrity with hard work. Abrupt and outspoken, she was always busy, and could knit and crochet as well as she could drive cows, dig ditches and mend fences. One of the many Māori women and men who assisted their people through voluntary child welfare work, Martha provided the best care in southern Wairarapa from the 1930s to the 1960s.

Source: Angela Ballara – Dictionary of New Zealand Biography

Photo courtesy of Derek Couch

Memories of Mangakino – 1980

John Stevens, former lawyer for the Incorporation, reflects on events in 1980, a year when a lot of contentious issues confronted the owners.

A recent read through the Incorporation minutes for 1980 has reminded me of what a turbulent time it was for the administration of the owners’ taonga at Mangakino.

The owners and committee of management had committed considerable time and expense in dealing with the investigation of the Incorporation ordered by the Māori Land Court and conducted by retired Judge Sheehan. His report, although not finding any illegality in the way in which the committee managed the Incorporation, did point to a number of weaknesses. On receipt of the report the Court did not find it necessary to make any orders but the underlying concerns which had led to the investigation, including the secretary’s purchasing of leasehold sections, with the consent of the committee, and the proposal for freeholding of residential sections, still bubbled away in the background.

The year got off to an early start with a meeting in January with members of the local business community, (then described as businessmen!), at which the future development of the township was discussed in some detail. There was much concern about the loss of local services, including the availability of a resident doctor. This led to an offer to provide a freehold section to be purchased with an interest-free loan, repayable only if the property was not sold to another doctor who would practice in Mangakino. I think this arrangement continued through a couple of doctors. This, and other issues the owners and their committee needed to deal with, reflected the position of the Incorporation as a de facto local authority, a position it was in because of the poisoned chalice it had been left with by the Government, a town far away from home.

Much time and energy was expended dealing with issues of this type which, in a normal community, would be dealt with by the local authority, in consultation with the community.

A number of owners continued to be unhappy with the committee’s lack of focus on issues raised in the Sheehan Report. Kim Workman and twelve others requisitioned a special general meeting, held in June. Kim set out his concerns in a memorandum, including the need for owners to have easier access to copies of the lengthy report, debate its findings and have updates on the action being taken. The report had been available at the Court and Incorporation office, but no steps had been taken to make it readily available and discussed at owners’ meetings.

Meanwhile, underlying the many issues being raised, was a general dissatisfaction with the performance of the secretary, Donald Speirs, including his property dealings and personal behaviour. This came to a head at a committee meeting in Masterton on 17 October. By then Martin Parker had taken over from Iraia Te Whaiti as chairman, following the AGM, and was determined to deal with this matter.

We

ERENA HAPUKU

Martin and I were directed to investigate the appointment of a new secretary and an accountant, with consideration as to whether these services would be better located in or nearer Mangakino.

Any

Call Amethyst on 0800 662 624 or email wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz

At a Special General Meeting in June a resolution was passed authorising the committee to sell the freehold title to leased residential sections in the township. This was carried on a shareholder vote, although a straw poll at the

John Stevens

meeting suggested that the majority of those present were not in favour. It was therefore not surprising that, at the AGM in September, the decision was revoked. Meanwhile 160 residents, including a number of shareholders, had expressed an interest in purchasing. There were some strongly held views about the outcome. Memory Te Whaiti is recorded as having spoken in support of freeholding, her whānau being among those wanting to freehold their leasehold sections.

Other bones of contention expressed were concerns at the trivia and personal arguments being raised at AGMs, poor accounting information and the state of the vineyard development which Speirs had promoted. The share register lacked addresses for 514 shareholders. 652 had known addresses. It is easy to forget that it was only early days for the introduction of computer programmes and both the share register and lease portfolio, with over 500 leases, were kept manually.

By December, after deciding that Taupō, rather than Rotorua, would be a suitable place for an office, Brian Kirk, an accountant based there, was appointed as the new accountant and secretary, pending establishment of a secretarial office in Mangakino.

But in spite of it being a difficult year, the committee was able to recommend a dividend of $12,000, while the farm development scheme could report receipt of $20,000 from live deer recovery, the latest gig for rural communities.

Meanwhile, another major proposal was being considered, the Government being keen to hand over management of development schemes to the owners. But that was still three years away, so more of that story in a future article.

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Can you help?

TAIKURA RUPUHA

The office is holding unclaimed dividends for Taikura, and we are attempting to locate any descendants/rightful beneficiaries and would appreciate any information that may bring a successful result. This is the information we have found about Taikura:

Taikura’s father was Tunui Arangi Rupuha. Taikura was born on 18 December 1948 and died in Bohle Plains, Queensland, Australia on 15 March 2021.

Taikura married Patricia Irene Rupuha and was understood to have had three daughters, Luanne, Pania and Michelle.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Call Amethyst on 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or email: wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz

Where are you?

The office is seeking to find the whereabouts of these shareholders, descendants, or trustees.

If you are able to provide any relevant information or contact details, please contact Amethyst on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or wmoffice@ wairarapamoana.org.nz

Norma Shirley Karaitiana

Karina Tapita Kerehi

Jermaine Purakau Tawhio Kerehi

Hiona Tira-Ariki Kerehi

Kawiti Joe Tautari

Seth Erik Maui Love Cutts

Hinekaitangi Awhi Vautier

Rangikahuawe Skipwith Borrell

Nephi William Riki Skipwith

Sandra Diane Skipwith Meadows

Robert Whatanui Skipwith

Janine Charmaine Skipwith

Ammon Choriatumr Skipwith

Aaron Daryl Eugene Skipwith

Moana Paeroa Angeline Lousi

Ngawai Te Aroha Dian Hay

The committee of management visited the farms during April to view some of the major projects and recent developments on the farms.

The committee really enjoyed being on-farm and were able to see the new feed-pad on Farm 14 nearing completion. This is a critical piece of infrastructure upgrade being used to support the farming system change to winter milking, which started in March this year.

Wet weather has continued to be a challenge this season. Farm races have needed much more repair work than previous seasons due to erosion resulting from the high volumes of rain we have been experiencing.

Finally, the team also took the committee through the learnings we have been making with the cow collars on Farm 3. This technology has proven to be useful in helping to improve our empty rates, which will be a key trend we will keep monitoring over the coming seasons.

The Dairy Industry Awards, a yearly competition in which sharemilkers, farm managers and dairy trainees put themselves forward and compete against industry peers took place during recent weeks.

WMI farm managers had great success in this yearly competition. Jay Arifin, Farm 3 manager, secured the win as the Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year. Gavin Humphrey, Farm 9 manager, secured the runner-up title with Gene Turuwhenua, Farm 1 manager, receiving the merit award for Emerging Talent.

It is absolutely thrilling to see WMI farm managers competing in national industry competitions and achieving recognition at the highest level.

Wairarapa Moana: The Lake and Its People

Chapter 14: The Saga of the Pouākani Block.

Written by Murray Hemi.

Bringing you short snippets from the book to encourage you to read and increase your knowledge of this taonga. Enjoy!

In 1948, six single men from the Wairarapa – Tui Hemi, Major Mason, Len Pirere, Sonny Kaio, Pai Te Whaiti and Henry Marunui – were the first to arrive on the land. A year later another twenty arrived. Selection was not based on farming know-how or experience. If you were a descendant of an owner, male, and single, you were invited to go farming.

“The first job was to ring-fence the entire property to keep wild pigs and horses out and let the hand-sown pasture grow.”

Farm 14 – Feed-pad nearing completion

2023 Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year Mohammad (Jay) Arifin

On behalf of Wairarapa Moana Incorporation, whānau, friends and supporters we extend our congratulations to our dairy manager, Mohammad (Jay) Arifin who was crowned the 2023 Central Plateau Dairy Manager of the Year, winning $9,047 in prizes and three merit awards!

He started at WMI in 2008 as an assistant herd manager and worked his way up to become farm manager. He works on Farm 3, a 295ha property, milking 1055 cows; and credits Wairarapa Moana Incorporation for his success in NZ. He says Wairarapa Moana has provided support, training and opportunities over the years. He is proud of his achievements in the Wairarapa Moana Awards over the past few years, including Dairy Unit of the Year, Ngā Tangata (Developing People), Financial, Values and Farm Pride and winner of Whakamaru School biggest bull calves’ competition for three consecutive years.

In an interview with Sudesh Kissun, Dairy News, Arifin recalls: He arrived in New Zealand 15 years ago having worked on an Indonesian dairy farm for about five years. "In my faming background in Indonesia I only looked after small numbers of cows, between 10 and 20 cows."

"Things are done a bit differently over there: I milked the cows twice a day by hand. The cows stayed in the barn; grass/feed harvested from the field was brought to the barn." Arifin credits Wairarapa Moana Incorporation for his success in NZ. He started there in 2008 as assistant herd manager and worked his way up to become farm manager. The new farming system was a challenge, he says. "It has many more cows but is more efficient compared to farms back in Indonesia but that made me really interested in it."

"I began at the bottom of my career in New Zealand and have had good support and progression opportunities from my employer," he says. "I'm proud of where I am in my current role." Arifin says he entered the awards for the first time this year as he wants to be more involved in the dairy industry and gain new experiences.

"Farming is my passion, and I love being on-farm and seeing my cows healthy and happy." His goal is to own a dairy farm. He tangata hūmārie, he tangata ringa raupā.

WAIR ARAPA MOANA MERCHANDISE

The office has the following merchandise available for purchase. To order, contact Amethyst at wmoffice@ wairarapamoana.org.nz or visit our website shop at www.wairarapamoana.org.nz/shop/

WAIRARAPA MOANA: THE LAKE AND ITS PEOPLE

The story of the North Island’s third largest lake complex from history to environmental problems

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Shareholder Bank Accounts

Dividends are paid by direct credit to bank accounts.

If you are living overseas and have unpaid dividends, these will be paid by direct credit to your overseas bank account in March, June, September or December; or to your New Zealand bank account if you have one.

If you are living in New Zealand, unpaid dividends will continue to be direct credited to your New Zealand bank account.

Thank you to all our shareholders who have provided new or updated postal addresses and bank account details.

To update your shareholder details please contact Amethyst Tauese by email wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz or call 0800 662 624 or 06 370 2608.

Amethyst is available Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 2.30pm.

50 Unclaimed Dividends

If you are able to provide any information that can help us to make contact with these shareholders or their descendants, please contact the office on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or email wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz

PAEATERANGI PANAU TAMATI

WHAIORA ENOKA

MONA MARGARET HARONGA

HENARE MAAKA II

ERENA HAPUKU

LEO KAWANA

TAIKURA RUPUHA

LAURA LORETTA CHAPMAN

EARL KARAITIANA

MARK ANTHONY HURIA

ELEANOR PENE

DONALD ANDREW POLLETT

EARL CHRISTOPHER POLLETT

MADELINE POTANGAROA

UMURANGI AYERS

KATERINA MITAI WAAKA

WARREN HOKO TOKI PAORA

ELIZABETH WATENE WHĀNAU TRUST

JOAN MYRA ELLIS

TIKI KOPU

HOANI WAAKA

TE IKA A TE TINA MAJOR GILLIES

KAURIKIRANGI AKUHATA

ERINA HUITAU MATE

TE UA HAMUERA

TE RANGIKAPUROTO ROPHIA

RAIMA MOSS

EHETERE PAEA

MARAKAIA HOROMONA

MATINA RUTA

TE RIMU HIMIONA HARATIERA

PARAMENA HENARE MAAKA ESTATE

LARRY PAPANUI JESSUP

DOROTHY LETETA CHOWN

ELI DAMION JOHN MORRIS

WI (BILLY) PAURINI

ISABEL PAURINI

JAMES RICHARD PAURINI

MARSHALL REWI GILLIES

LEONARD TE HIKO THOMPSON

BRUCE KAREPE PEDERSON

LORNA MANGU

TERESA CAROLINE ROSS

HANATIA SUZANNE SHARLAND

RAINA REITA HOKIANGA

ERNEST GEORGE BOYD

ERUETI TAMAHAU

MARTHA LINKHORN

ANARU RONGOTUA NAMANA

MITAI WAAKA

If you have any queries please contact Ngaere Webb, Amethyst Tauese, Roxanne Te Pou or Charmaine Kawana at the Masterton office.