Ahuwhenua Trophy win
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouākani Incorporation (WMI)
this year’s winner of the coveted Ahuwhenua Trophy for Dairy.
All Ahuwhenua images courtesy of John Cowpland, Alphapix Photography.
Visit WMI website to view more photos https:// www.wairarapamoana.org. nz/our-people/gallery/
The Minister for Māori Development, the Hon Tama Potaka made the announcement at an awards dinner in Hamilton on Friday 17 May and presented the trophy to WMI Chair, Kingi Smiler.
“WMI consists of 12 dairy units across 4,300ha, plus three dairy support units comprising 1,900ha and two forestry blocks totalling 6,100ha. WMI entered just one of its 12 farms in the competition – Farm 4, and this was the winning farm. The property has a milking platform of 300ha, milking 980 cows and producing 416,000 kgMS. WMI produces about five million kilograms of milk solids from their 12,000-cow herd and is the largest supplier to milk processor Miraka Ltd.
The farm operates within the top 5% of the industry benchmarks and operates a high care, high efficiency model where its environmental footprint has reduced by 30% and this work is supported by applying the Mauri Compass Model on improving water quality.
The Ahuwhenua Trophy Chair, Nukuhia Hadfield, congratulated WMI on winning the trophy, saying Farm 4, managed by Kim Turner, was a top performing unit in every respect and a deserved winner of the competition. The standard of excellence of the entire WMI operation is a model which all dairy farmers should look at and take note.
Tēnā koe
Incorporation wins prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy Dairy Competition
Wairarapa Moana ki Pouākani are proud to be the winners of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for 2024, for Dairy.
The Minister for Māori Development, the Hon Tama Potaka, made the announcement at an awards dinner in Hamilton attended by 850 people on Friday 17 May, with guests including the Prime Minister the Rt. Honourable Chris Luxon, Kiingi Tuheitia and Royal Consort Makau Ariki Atawhai, Sir Tumu and Lady Susan Te Heuheu, along with other Ministers, as well as diplomats from the United Kingdom, Ireland and European Union.
It was an honour to accept this prestigious award, on behalf of the Committee of Management and all Wairarapa Moana Incorporation shareholders and whānau.
It was a privilege to be finalist with the Whakatohea Māori Trust Board, as we shared the story of our journey of confiscated lands, displacement of our people, and commitment that we have made as kaitiaki to our whenua and our whānau.
We wish to especially acknowledge the Wairarapa Moana team, our tipuna that have gone before us, in particular, Tame and Te Ruinga Haeata, that won this competition in 1958, and the Sheep and Beef Team that won in 2005.
A big mihi and acknowledgement to our Farm 4 team, led by Kim Turner, Ngāti Maniapoto. Your efforts, dedication, and
hard work is an example of how we can farm better, in our environment, and still achieve the productivity needed.
The Committee of Management take pride in winning, and it is a reward for all the WMI shareholders and whānau, as they have very dedicated teams based in Mangakino, Taupō and the Wairarapa who do a lot of work around strategy, planning and execution, and it is this teamwork that makes these things happen.
We also thank the many whānau who attended the Awards Dinner to support WMI, particularly those who travelled all the way from the Wairarapa to support with waiata tautoko and haka.
Chief Judge Dean Nikora described WMI as having an effective and structured governance system, which ensures high quality results, combined with first class implementation, resulting in a low footprint, high profit farming system.
The Committee of Management acknowledge the support of our shareholders and whānau over many years, and your contribution to our success in excellence in Dairy farming in Aotearoa.
Nāku noa, nā Kingi Smiler Chairman Wairarapa Moana Incorporation
Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer 2024
The winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award for Dairy is Ben Purua, of Tainui descent. Ben, 29, is the Farm Manager at Waimakariri Lands Ltd, near Tirau in the Waikato region which runs 540 cows.
Ben thanked his whānau and friends and paid a special tribute to his wife Nikki whom he says has been his greatest supporter and who encouraged him to enter the competition again.
“Farming has been my saviour. I don’t know where I would have been today without it. It saved my life, saved my family and I hope I can now help other families to break the cycle,” he says.
Congratulations to Nikki and Ben Purua. Ben is an outstanding young man who will continue to grow and uphold the mana of the Ahuwhenua kaupapa to advance and lead within and for the Māori agribusiness sector.
Winner Ben Purua (centre) with fellow finalists Shayden Gardiner and Hannah Speakman
Success in United Nations Advocacy
In our last edition of the Mailer Sonya Rimene reported on WMI appearing before representatives of the United Nations based in Geneva on 13 February 2024. Sonya told our journey and called for compensation and the return of our lands.
Sonya participated in a range of meetings, as a forerunner to the appearance of the New Zealand government at the United Nations, to report on their human rights record. This happened on 29th April this year in Geneva, led by the Hon. Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Justice.
The Human Rights Council Report which brings together all recommendations to New Zealand is now out, and we can see the results of our mahi.
To start, there are significantly more recommendations, than in 2019, calling for the New Zealand government to lift its game in relation to Māori generally, and give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
We acknowledge in particular, Germany, whose representatives adopted the WMI position and recommended to the New Zealand government to amend the Bill of Rights Act to include economic, social and cultural rights as set out in international covenants.
This is a win, this is leaving a legacy of our tīpuna –fighting for what is rightfully ours, the return of our whenua. Ka mau te wehi!
The New Zealand government now has until October this year to decide whether it agrees with each recommendation.
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.
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
This whakataukī encourages 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.
Contact Amethyst on 0800 662 624 or wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz
United Nations Office in Geneva
UN Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples Visit, April 2024
Well as you can imagine whānau the programme was packed. We picked up our manuhiri (Francisco Cali Tzay and Elisa Marchi) at 7am on a Saturday morning, to drive from Te Whanganui-a-Tara to Wairarapa Moana.
On the way Mihaere Kirby and Sonya Rimene started our journey with Kupe, Maui Tikitiki and Haunuiananaia as we travelled toward Wairarapa Moana. Henare Manaena and Ra Smith described how the moana was our kai basket, the whenua was our place, the waterways our bloodlines.
Matanuku Mahuika (our Legal Counsel) outlined the legal parameters, and the domestic legal system we have navigated to get to this point in our journey.
Our ope was then welcomed on to Te Rangimarie Marae by Rangitāne and joined by Ngai Tumupuhia-arangi, Mangatū, and Pouākani. Through the facilitation of Tā Kim Workman all presenters (Wairarapa Moana Incorporation, Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā, Ngai Tumapuhia-arangi, Pouākani, and Mangatū) collectively described the behaviour of Crown actions, the breach of our Te Tiriti rights and interests, and human rights.
We then travelled from the Wairarapa to Mangakino, where our people were dislocated far from home, telling our story on the way.
From left: Francisco Cali Tzay, United Nations Special Rapporteur; Mihaere Kirby, WMI; Elisa Marchi, United Nations Legal Advisor to Special Rapporteur.
Visiting Wairarapa Moana From left: Kingi Smiler, Elisa Marchi, Francisco Cali Tzay, Rawiri Smith, Mihaere Kirby, Henare Manaena, Sonya Rimene, Tara Hauraki, Tā Kim Workman.
On the Sunday, we joined with our whanaunga from the Pouākani Lands Trust to support them as they told their story to the UN Special Rapporteur. The visit was concluded with a visit to the Mangakino township, Maraetai Dam and Ahuwhenua Trophy Finalist Farm 4.
So what’s the outcome?
We are here for the long game e te whānau. We are continuing the legacy of our tīpuna, and ensuring the Crown’s actions against Wairarapa Moana Incorporation are not lost in history. We will continue to engage with the international community via the United Nations to put pressure on the Government to realise our rights and interests - our tino rangatiratanga.
Since our visit, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has confirmed receipt of our petition. The wheels are now in motion. This means the Special Rapporteur will now formally look into our case. He can’t compel our government to take any particular action, but we are hopeful that he will make observations and recommendations, which will support in time, the resolution of this matter.
The Committee of Management acknowledges the support of our shareholders, whānau, Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā, Federation of Māori Authorities, New Zealand Māori Council and Iwi Chairs Forum.
Finally, whānau, to view all the videos recording this historic visit go to https://www.wairarapamoana.org.nz/our-story/treaty-claims-news/
“He rei ngā niho, he parāoa
te kauwae” "A whale's tooth requires a whale's jaw"
Can you help?
RANGIMARIE STAFFORD
The office is holding unclaimed dividends for Rangimarie, and we are attempting to locate any descendants or rightful beneficiaries and would appreciate any information that may bring a successful result. This is the information we have about Rangimarie:
Rangimarie was born on 15 March 1930. Rangimarie’s parents were James Neil Miller and Rosie Heta Miller (Te Miha). Rangimarie was married to Brian Harry Stafford. Rangimarie’s last known address on the Share Register was 11 Alamein Street, Riverton 9822.
The office has been advised that Rangimarie had 6 children. John Scott (Son) is the only child that the office has on file.
Any information you can share with us 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 the whereabouts of these shareholders, descendants, or trustees.
Ngahina Taueki
Waimatau Matemoana Murray
Hineata McCleland
Alice Karaitiana
Jeanette Wenborn
Te Whakawhiti Paddy Raharuhi
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
From left: Tā Kim Workman, Francisco Cali Tzay, Nelson Rangi, Aperahama Matenga, Sam Morris. Rear: Kingi Smiler, Matanuku Mahuika, Elisa Marchi, Annette Sykes, Tara Hauraki, Tipene Chrisp, Dr Tākirirangi Smith, Alan Haronga, Sue Taylor, Sonya Rimene, Henare Manaena.
Pouākani Claims Trust, presented their concerns to the Special Rapporteur.
Who is the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples?
The current Special Rapporteur is Mr Francisco Cali Tzay. He took up the role on 1 May 2020. A Mayan Cakchiquel from Guatemala, he has represented indigenous peoples at the United Nations since the early 1980s, addressing human rights violations against the Indigenous Peoples in Guatemala and around the world.
What is his role at the UN?
The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples mandate1 or role is:
• Promote good practices, including new laws, government programmes, and constructive agreements between indigenous peoples and states, to implement international standards concerning the rights of indigenous peoples.
• Make recommendations and proposals on appropriate measures to prevent and remedy violations of the rights of indigenous peoples.
• Report on the human rights situations of indigenous peoples around the world.
• Address specific cases of alleged violations of indigenous peoples’ rights.
What were the objectives of the UN Special Rapporteur Visit?
The visit was a follow up from Committee of Management member, Anne Carter’s intervention at the United Nations in New York, in April 2023. Together with Wakatū Incorporation, the National Iwi Chairs Forum, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission and Auckland University invitations were sent to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Francisco Cali Tzay, to visit Aotearoa in 2024.
The UN Special Rapporteur accepted our collective invites, and arrangements for an “academic visit” were put in motion.
Shareholder Search –Can you help?
We would like your help to trace descendants of shareholder HENRY FONTAINE KAWANA
Any information you may be able to share with us will be most appreciated. Call Amethyst on 0800 662 624 or email wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz
What were our objectives in putting together the visit programme?
We wanted the UN Special Rapporteur to hear and understand:
• Our Wai 85 journey from the perspective of descendants of the tīpuna of Wairarapa Moana rangatira and hapū.
• The broader context, and the Crown’s reluctance to commit and act in the spirit of the original agreement through the Lands Case with the New Zealand Māori Council.
• The impact of colonisation on the place of Māori, as the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa – the significant disparities between Māori and nonMāori across all social and economic indicators.
• The broader context of the Crown-Māori relationship, Te Tiriti and Constitutional arrangements, and international obligations and commitments.
• Our connection to whenua at Pouākani, the establishment of marae, kainga.
• The level of support for our case by Pouākani hapū, and whakapapa connections. Highlight collaborative hapū/iwi arrangement in relation to seeking customary title to Waikato River.
• Our legal journey to pursue the return of our whenua, and current litigation.
• Crown’s failure to recognise and uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Matike Mai, He Puapua, and the persistent strategy of litigation to deny rights as Indigenous Peoples.
1Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples | OHCHR
Francisco Cali Tzay
Pre-AGM Roadshows
The team at Wairarapa Moana looks forward to providing an update on the business and activities of the past year. Venue details will be provided soon.
Roadshows and Annual General Meetings 2024
Voting Papers
Due to changes in postal deliveries shareholders have experienced a delay in receiving their AGM packs and voting papers in the past. 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 on-line, if you wish to use this option.
WAIRARAPA MOANA INCORPORATION
Annual General Meetings
The Wairarapa Moana Annual General Meetings will be held on Saturday 12th October in Masterton. If you are unable to attend, livestreaming of the meetings will be available on the day. Further information will be provided closer to the meeting date.
Nominations to Wairarapa Moana Incorporation
Nominations to the Committee of Management open Thursday 8th August and close 12.00pm Friday 30 August 2024
TeHoripo Karaitiana is due to retire by rotation and is eligible for re-election.
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 on 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 one nomination is received, electionz.com will manage the election process. Voting papers and candidates’ personal statements will be posted 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.
2024
Dates to Remember
August 8 Nomination forms for election to Committee of Management are available from WMI Secretary, Masterton.
August 15
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 or charmaine@wairarapamoana.org.nz by 12.00pm.
Resolutions received after 12.00pm August 15 will not be considered.
August 30 Nominations close 12.00pm for election to Committee of Management. Late nominations will not be considered.
September 12 Voting papers and candidate profiles for election to Committee of Management and AGM Resolutions will be posted to shareholders.
September 13 Notice of Meetings and Annual Reports will be posted to shareholders.
October 8 All proxy voting closes at 12.00pm.
October 10 All postal & electronic voting closes at 12.00pm.
October 12
Annual General Meeting held at Masterton
It has been a perfect autumn for farming at Mangakino. Rainfall has been low compared to the long-term average, but ground temperatures have remained high. This, combined with the high-care, high-efficiency model – the WMI way, means we are heading to a yearend production of 4.9 million kilograms of milk solids –a new record for the WMI farms.
In addition, the farms have averaged a Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of 167,000 for the month of April. SCC is a measure of milk quality. This continues the trend, throughout the year, of a significant improvement from previous years.
At the end of April, Farm 8 was still at the number 1 spot on the Miraka leaderboard for SCC.
The decision at the end of 2023 to enter Farm 4 into the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition was a huge undertaking. It is a rigorous and demanding judging process and required all teams across WMI (Farms, Taupō and Masterton offices) to come together to support the Farm 4 team led by Kim Turner.
The farm teams are very proud to follow in the footsteps of Tame and Te Ruinga Haeata, Dairy Farm winners in 1958, and the 2005 WMI team, winners for Sheep and Beef in 2005.
This historic win of the Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2024 has been a team effort of leadership, planning and execution, and a whole lot of focus, dedication, and just sheer determination.
It has been a fantastic result, and we hope that we have made Wairarapa Moana shareholders and whānau proud of WMI, your farms, and the recognition as leaders and excellence in dairy farming in Aotearoa.
From left: Kingi Smiler, Chersonia Stowers, Haley Webber, Kim Turner, Corpow Potter, Diego Gomez, Brett Bennett.
Field Day – Farm 4 - held on March 28
Committee of Management Farm Visits
The Committee of Management: Kingi Smiler, Chair; TeHoripo Karaitiana, Deputy Chair, Anne Carter, Sonya Rimene and Brad Tatere, meet regularly throughout the year to discuss the direction of the Incorporation and review operational performance.
This is usually a mix of “in person” and “zui”. A lot of Committee of Management business is dealt with “virtually”, as it is a very cost-effective way to connect up and make decisions when required.
The Committee met in Mangakino and Taupō in May this year. This is always an important meeting because we set the capital and operating budget for the coming season. It is a very rigorous process, with management having to justify their budget proposals for the expenditure of shareholder monies.
Our time on the farms at Mangakino is also an opportunity to connect directly with our Farm Managers, and to walk the whenua, and assess progress ourselves.
This May, the Committee of Management visited the Dairy Support Unit (DSU) at Ford Rd, and Farm 14, our new winter milking farm.
The Dairy Support Units, of which there are three, support the 12 dairy farms with feed, and many of our cows spend the winter months on these farms. They also raise our calves as replacement heifers for the milking herd.
The DSUs have had a great season in producing sileage and are ready with plenty of great feed for our cows, as they are dried off, and rested over the winter months.
It was also an opportunity to visit Farm 14, our winter milking farm, to see the new feed pad in operation. We are pleased with the 460 kgMS per cow achieved in this first year of winter milking.
The CoM acknowledges the leadership of all of our farm managers and their teams and their contribution to a successful 2024 season.
L–R: Brad Tatere, Committee of Management; Mark Glasgow, Senior Manager of Ropiha & Ford Rd farms; Gareth Hughes, General Manager, Farms inspecting the pasture at Ford Rd prepared for winter grazing.
Feedpad in operation on winter milking farm, Farm 14.
A Walk Down Memory Lane
TE HIKO PĪATA TAMA-I-HIKOIA
(ORIGINAL OWNER 135)
Te Hiko Pīata Tama-i-hikoia was one of the leading Wairarapa chiefs from the 1840s to the 1880s. The date and place of his birth are uncertain; it may have been at Te Ngāpuke (Te Waitapu, near Tuhitarata) in the 1790s.
His principal hapū were Rākaiwhakairi; Ngāti Kahukuraawhitia; and Ngāti Rangitāwhanga. His tribal affiliations were with Ngāti Kahungunu; Rangitāne; Ngāti Ira and Ngāi Tahu of Wairarapa. Te Hiko descended from the ancestor Kahungunu through Rākaitekura and Rangitāwhanga, from whom he inherited rights over lands in southern Wairarapa.
The early adult life of Te Hiko was shaped by the invasions of Wairarapa in the 1820s and 1830s by northern west coast tribes. The most serious was a war expedition of about 1826, made up of Te Āti Awa, Ngāti Tama and Ngāti Mutenga, together with some Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa. After the Wairarapa people had beaten off an attack at Pēhikatea pā (near present day Greytown) about 1833, Pēhi Tūtepākihirangi and Nuku-pewapewa, anticipating a further attack, led most of their people to Nukutaurua on the Mahia peninsula. Te Hiko and his family were among those that took refuge there.
Nuku-pewapewa led an attempt to return to Wairarapa in the mid-1830s. It failed but he did manage to capture Te Uamairangi and Te Kakapi, the wife and niece of Te Wharepōuri of Te Āti Awa. The price for the ransom of Te Kakapi was the return of Wairarapa to its former inhabitants. After this negotiation Te Hiko and his people, with other Wairarapa hapū, returned in a migration which was not completed until about 1842.
By this time, Te Hiko was married to Mihi Mete, and had two children approaching adulthood, a son, Wī Tāmehana Te Hiko, who was one of missionary William Colenso’s teachers by the mid-1840s, and a daughter, Ani Te Hiko, later to marry Wī Hūtana. Te Hiko was recognised as a leader of Rākaiwhakairi and Ngāti Rangitāwhanga.
The return of the Wairarapa people coincided with the beginning of pākehā interest in the region for settlement and for sheep farming. In the mid-1840s Te Hiko leased land to
Angus McMaster, an early runholder. McMaster and his wife, Mary, settled at Tuhitarata after an 11-day journey on foot from Port Nicholson (Wellington). Thus McMaster became Te Hiko’s client, living under the protection of his mana, and known to the Wairarapa people as ‘Hiko’s Pākehā’. The two men were sometimes at odds, when one thought the other was encroaching on his rights, but their close relationship endured and extended to their families. The descendants of the McMasters often called their children by names associated with Te Hiko. Angus’s son, Hugh, was also known as Tuhitarata. After the pākehā family was established, Te Hiko built his pā at Te Waitapu, not far from the homestead. He lived there for the rest of his life.
When the government began buying land in Wairarapa, Te Hiko, like many chiefs who had ‘adopted’ a pākehā, would not sign any deed of cession unless he had an absolute assurance that McMaster’s interests would be protected, as a result McMaster came to control about 13,000 acres in the Tuhitarata, Matiti, Mapunatea, Otuparoro and Oporoa blocks, much of it leased from Māori owners.
Te Hiko and his people benefited from these arrangements. They made profits from trade in pork, potatoes and wheat with the growing settler population. And though the rents were low for such large areas, they increased year by year, from 300pounds in 1847 for all Wairarapa leased land to over 800pounds a year in 1850. Te Hiko and his fellow chiefs found leasing so advantageous that they rejected government efforts to buy land in 1848 for the proposed ‘Canterbury settlement’. As a result, the settlement was located in the South Island.
In the 1850s the government continued its efforts to buy Wairarapa land, and to break the alliance of pākehā squatter and Māori landowner. Governor George Grey
Memorial stone: Tama-Hikoia
visited the district and gave an assurance that the rights of squatters, like McMaster, to their homesteads and to the essential parts of their runs would be protected. Donald McLean, the chief land purchase commissioner, made the breakthrough in 1853 with the purchase of the Castlepoint block, and from that time on land-selling was underway in Wairarapa.
It was the younger men who were keen to sell and tried to persuade their elders to agree. This caused a great deal of conflict. Rāniera Te Iho-o-te-rangi and Te Mānihera Te Rangitaka-i-waho were prominent among the younger men. Te Hiko’s son Wī Tāmehana was also involved. In general Te Hiko was opposed to sale, as the published deeds show. In the first series of sales his name appears only on the deed affecting McMaster’s Tuhitarata lands, and up to 1876 his name appears on only four deeds of sale; his son’s name is on eight; Rāniera Te Iho’s on thirteen and Te Manihera’s on twenty-six. Te Hiko held aloof from the sale of the Tūrakirae block, which was effected in Wellington by Hēmi Te Miha, Ngairo Takatakapūtea and Rāniera Te Iho. In an effort to change Te Hiko’s mind, McLean offered reserves for all people affected, and payments to be spent on hospitals, schools and a flour mill.
It is ironic that Te Hiko, previously opposed to land sales, should be remembered chiefly for the sale of his fishing rights in Lake Wairarapa to the government. It is clear that he had important rights over the lake. While they were not exclusive, decisions about the lake had to include him. In particular, he was the guardian of its fishing resources. Māori and pākehā interests were in conflict over the lake.
The government was eager to control the outlet, to keep the bar open and so reduce the flooding of the fertile lands. Māori opposed this, because one of their major resources, the eel harvest, was at its best when the lake was in flood.
Te Hiko sold his rights in 1876, the price was 800pounds to him and sixteen others, and an annual pension of 50pounds for him. His previous salary of 50pounds as an assessor under the Native Circuit Courts Act 1858 had been withdrawn because of his opposition to some land sales. ‘Hiko’s Sale’, as it was afterwards called, stirred up so much opposition that other leading chiefs petitioned Parliament. This resulted in the 1891 commission of inquiry into the ‘Claims of natives to Wairarapa Lakes and adjacent lands’.
Although Te Hiko has been accused of betraying his trust, the story of the sale suggests that, by now a very old man, was placed under extreme pressure by those that wanted to sell. Te Mānihera started to apply pressure in 1874. He suggested that he and Kōmene Piharau should represent one group of the lake’s owners; Te Hiko suggested that he and Hēmi Te Miha should represent the others. In 1876 they all
went to Wellington. Although Te Hiko seemed ready to cooperate in the sale, his real purpose was to settle problems that had arisen over the sale of the Pukio block. He told Edward Maunsell, the government negotiator, that he would not discuss the lake while Pukio was not settled. He also warned Hēmi Te Miha on the way to Wellington, not to consent to the sale of the lake. But when all parties met, Te Miha was the first to agree to the sale and append his signature. After this, Te Hiko felt that he had no option but to give his consent.
There was a further quarrel about the method of payment. Te Mānihera wanted it paid in Wellington at once; Te Hiko wanted it paid over in Wairarapa so that the people could be present and benefit from the sale. As a result, Te Mānihera and Kōmene Piharau refused to sign. As Hēmi Te Miha was of lesser rank, the sale of the fishing rights to the government became ‘Hiko’s Sale’.
In 1891 before the commission of inquiry Piripi Te Maari-ote-rangi connected Te Hiko’s consent with his resentment of the pretensions of Rāniera Te Iho. As early as 1872 the government agent, Richard Barton, had been authorised to treat with Māori owners for control of the opening of the lake. He had excluded Te Hiko, and dealt only with Rāniera Te Iho and Piripi Te Maari. Te Hiko was already incensed by Te Iho’s appropriation of a reserve out of the Tūrakirae block. Rāniera Te Iho was a young man, not yet qualified to take a leading part and he was ignoring the mana of his elder. Te Hiko’s consent to the sale of the fishing rights may well have been influenced by a belief that in any case those rights were being taken away by the acquisitive younger leaders.
Hostility about payment continued. Over Te Mānihera’s violent objections, Maunsell paid over the money at Featherston. On Te Hiko’s instructions half was paid to Wī Kingi Tūtepākihirangi, the successor to the chief who had negotiated the return of Wairarapa from Te Wharepōuri. Wī Hūtana, Te Hiko’s son-in-law, used the other half to erect a sawmill at Pukio, which was intended to benefit the people at large.
At the time of these negotiations Te Hiko was old and infirm. He died on 1 July 1881, aged about 90 years. His wife had died in 1873, aged 75 years. They were both buried at Tuhitarata, in the cemetery where members of the McMaster family were buried.
In 1905 his daughter Ani presented his canoe, Te Herenga Rangatira, which he had always used on the Ruamahanga River, to the Colonial Museum. T. H. Heberley carved it in the manner of a war canoe.
Source: Angela Ballara and Mita Carter. Dictionary of New Zealand.
Golden Shears 2024
The 62nd Golden Shears International Shearing and Wool handling Championships were held in Masterton late February/early March with the biggest number of competitors in many years.
A unique moment in the history of the Golden Shears happened this year when six members of one local whanau filled the six-stand board in a heat of a glamour event, the Open championship.
Paerata Abraham, husband of Cushla, nee Gordon, was on the No 1 stand, historically known as the “ringer’s” stand. On stands No 2-4 were Abraham’s brothers-in-law Joseph Gordon, Adam Gordon, and David Gordon, and on stands 5-6 the Gordons’ father, Nuki, and Kyle Mita, partner of Samantha Gordon, another sibling.
Our local whānau fared well in many events. The Paewai Mullins novice wool handling final was won by 19-year-old Keisha Reiri. Keisha is originally from Masterton but now works for Piopio contractor Mark Barrowcliffe with her mum Azuredee Paku (who won the New Zealand Shears senior wool handling title in Te Kuiti in 2021).
The first night of the shears was the domain of the speedsters, and the top three speed-shear competitors made it to the final of the open speed shear. It was won by Masterton shearer Paerata Abraham with a quickest time of 17.789 seconds in the three-man showdown, with Jimmy Samuels of Marton the runner-up and Jack Fagan of Te Kuiti third.
Wool handler Cushla Abraham won her second Golden Shears women’s wool pressing title, and in the latest chapter of a Masterton siblings rivalry Vinnie Goodger regained
the men’s wool pressing title by beating brother, defending champion and 16-times winner Jeremy Goodger.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand team of Cushla Abraham of Masterton, and Tia Potae, from Kennedy Bay were the victors over a new Australian team of Marlene Whittle and Alexander Schoff in the New Zealand leg of an annual homeand-away wool handling series.
Wool handler Joel Henare, from Gisborne, won his 10th consecutive Golden Shears Open Wool handling title.
Southland shearer Leon Samuels became the first South Islander to win the Golden Shears Open shearing title in thirty-five years in a dramatic six-man final of twenty sheep each.
The Wairarapa Moana sponsored Māori-Pakeha Teams event resulted in:
Adam Gordon (Masterton) and Corey Palmer (Dipton) 67.975pts, 1;
Cory Barrowcliffe (Piopio) and Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 75.921pts, 2;
Lionel Taumata (Gore) and Paul Robertson (Australia) 78.075pts, 3
Competitors in the Māori-Pakeha Teams event pictured with Wairarapa Moana Director, Sonya Rimene.
Shareholder email addresses ...
Occasionally the office will send out pānui to shareholders via email.
Recently there have been a number of bouncebacks resulting in the shareholder not receiving the information.
The majority of the bouncebacks appear to be a result of a mailbox being full or email addresses being invalid.
If your email address details have changed, please contact Amethyst on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or by email wmoffice@wairarapamoana.org.nz so she can update your details on the Share Register.
Find out more ...
WM Facebook Join us on Facebook as we share every-thing from on farm action to trust scholarships, wànanga and waiata, through to our history, news and photos. https://www.facebook.com/WairarapaMoanaInc
WM Website For information, news and events. https://www.wairarapamoana.org.nz
WM Waiata on YouTube Check out the Wairarapa Moana YouTube channel and listen to the collection of waiata https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCRBU5TvlRmJXh8atuVppAnw
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.
T SHIRT
Colour: Charcoal
Sizes: S – 3XL
Price: $20.00
100% Micro Polyester
Keeps You Cool & Dry
Anti-Shrink, Anti-Fade Fabric
T SHIRT
Colour: Denim
Sizes: S – 3XL
Price: $20.00
100% Premium Cotton
Stretch & Shape Recovery
Long Lasting & Durable
POLO SHIRT
Colour: Cyan
Sizes: S – 3XL
Price: $28.00
100% Micro Polyester
Anti-Shrink, Anti-Fade Fabric
Quick Drying
POLO SHIRT
Colour: Black
Sizes: S – 3XL
Price: $28.00
100% Cotton
SLEEVELESS VEST
Colour: Black
Sizes: S – 3XL
Price: $56.00
Nylon Ottoman Vest
CAPS and BEANIES
Colours:
Black or Navy Blue
(One size fits all)
Price: $12.00 each
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
AROHA TAHI WAAKA WHANAU TRUST
LYDIA PERAWHITI ESTATE
TAURU TE UMUARIKI TAURUA
TAMATI O'DONNELL
RAWINIA HANCY
ARAPERE TAMIHANA
TROY HANITA PAKI
ALICE JANE CRAWFORD
MARY JANE CRAWFORD
ROBERT RANGI CRAWFORD
HENRY TUTEMAHURANGI JOHN
AKURANGI
HATARIA TE WHANAUPANI MATIAHA
DON RANGI
HUGH GEORGE KARAITIANA
KELLY KARAITIANA
ELIZABETH MERE DOWN
WIREMU TUREI WAIKARI
JOSEPHINE WILSON AND PETER
WELLS WHANAU TRUST
MARAMA MOOSMUELLER
PATRICIA HOGEN
MERE NEPE
HINERANGI HAEATA
JAMES MIKAERA
KERI RANIERA MATENGA
MAMA MIKAERA FRED WORKMAN
WILLIAM THOMAS WORKMAN
RICHARD PHILLIP JOHN DOUGLAS
MATHEW ANARU PAUL DOUGLAS
TE KOWHAI MCGLYNN
TE AROHA KUITI
ANGELINE MAAKA
LYNDY SUTTON
PHILLIP NGATUERE
CONNIE KAHU
EDWARD WORKMAN
DAVID ROWAN RIMENE
TE PAEA PARENGAIO II
ELIZABETH REBECCA ADAMS
LOUIS HOKOTOKI
JACK HOKOTOKI
STEVE HOKOTOKI
BENJAMIN JAMES TAWHITI WILSONWIRIHANA
SYDNEY MANAENA KINGI
JANE HOKOTOKI
SANDRA KING
PAMELA HUTCHINSON
WARREN NGATUERE
CHARLES HETAPERE HARDEN
LESLIE SHANE MITA
Do you have a story, a news item, or a pānui you’d like to share in the Moana Mailer? Contact Ngaere on 06 370 2608 or 0800 662 624 or ngaere@wairarapamoana.org.nz Ngaere can help you meet the deadline below.
75 Thursday, August 8,
If you have any queries please contact Ngaere Webb, Amethyst Tauese, Cheryl Wilmshurst, Alice Matiaha or Charmaine Kawana at the Masterton office.
Friday, September 13, 2024
Office Hours: 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday, closed Friday.
Phone: 06 370 2608
0800 662