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 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.

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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