Waihi Pukawa Trust

Ko Tongariro te maunga,

Kia ora whanau,

If you felt the cold last night, this might explain why! This is the view our Taurewa staff woke up to for the start of their work day.

Kia ora whānau,

A Trustee Election was held for four positions at the Waihi Pukawa Trust AGM held on the 2 March 2024.

Congratulations to James Bell, Desirēe Bowsher, Julie Chadwick & Wally Kingi for being elected as Trustees for the Waihi Pukawa Trust.

Kia ora whānau,

We thought you might like these photos. The staff at Taurewa Station awoke to this breath-taking view of the mountains blanketed in a pristine layer of snow on Sunday morning.

Kia ora e te whānau,

Waihi Pukawa Trust would like to highlight another one of our trustees - Marama Mariu

Tēnā koutou,

Ko John Mariu tōku koroua.
Ko Cora Mariu nee Keepa tōku kuia.
Ko Marama Mariu tōku ingoa.

My passions include the environment and looking after our moana for our future mokopuna. I’m also passionate about sailing waka hourua, traditional navigation; and sharing that knowledge with the next generation.

I have always had a passion for Māori Land and assisting whānau to gain better opportunities by utilising their lands whether it be farming, commercially, papakainga projects, or simply holding space for whānau to wānanga. With more wahine that are now at the table there is an emphasis for balance.

I bring fairness, honesty, and due diligence. Prior to my current mahi I have a legal background. I believe these experiences will assist in uplifting the Trust to achieve more.

I’ve enjoyed my first year on the Trust and been involved with a number of farm visits from a farm tour, to stock audit on Pukawa B, to host Massey University vet students. It has been great engaging with staff and manuhiri.

The Health and Safety of our staff and their working dogs has also been important to me. It is important that those looking after our farm are looked after too. With that said I acknowledge our two staff that have left and thank them for their contribution to our farm.

Ngā mihi
Marama

Kia ora, e te whānau,

Highlighting another one of our amazing trustees; this week is Taylor Kahu.

I am a dedicated individual currently immersed in the world of business, pursuing a diploma with a major in Accounting.

Alongside my academic endeavors, I am gaining practical experience in the field by working at an accounting firm in Tūrangi.

My professional journey is diverse, as I bring a background in hospitality and tourism to the table. Balancing work and studies is no small feat, especially with the joyous responsibility of caring for my two-year-old child.

Beyond my immediate family, I actively contribute to our whānau business, providing crucial administration services to local businesses within our community.

My upbringing, marked by attending Marae meetings with my nan from an early age, instilled in me a deep appreciation for cultural values and community engagement.

Looking ahead, my aspirations extend to establishing my own business, driven by a desire to not only succeed individually but also to contribute meaningfully to the well-being of my whānau, hapu, and Iwi.

Kia ora e te whanau,

Waihi Pukawa Trust would like to begin a series of posts, highlighting the current trustees and their mahi for the trust.

Our first trustee profile is Tracey Woods.

Tēnā koutou katoa Ko Tracey Woods tōku ingoa

Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Taupo nui atea te moana
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa te iwi
Ko Ngāti Manunui raua ko Ngāti Hikairo ki Te Rena ōku hāpu
Nō Taumarunui ahau

My name is Tracey Rosalia Woods (nee Norman),

I am married to Kevin Woods and we have four adult children and five amazing mokopuna aged between four and ten years old. Last month we added an addition to our family and we have whaangai’d my neice, who is currently 2 months old.

My parents are Dorothy Te Kuraimonoa Norman (nee Keepa) and Sidney Tumanako Norman. I am the mokopuna of Elizabeth (Rihi) Hemopo Pakaurangi and Ropata (Robert) kii Keepa. My koro Robert was a longstanding trustee of Waihi Pukawa Trust and I am proud to represent my whanau and all Owners.

Being a Teacher and Principal of Manunui School in Taumarunui for over 20 years means I have expert knowledge and skills in Governance, Management of people and everyday operations, Finance and budgeting, Staff development and improvement, Reporting to the Board, Research, Consultation, Implementing models of good practice, Administration, and mainly care for all people – young and old. I currently teach Year 2 tamariki (6-7 year olds) at Turaki School in Taumarunui.

I am enjoying the challenge of being a Trustee and feel privileged to be a part of the vision and plans for Waihi Pukawa Trust which aim to benefit us now and well into the future.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa

Kia ora e te whānau,

Last month, the Trust captured photos and drone footage of the whenua.

The images will be used in future communication formats to help us all visualise the vastness and beauty of our whenua. Here are a few scenery shots which we hope you’ll enjoy.

Waihi Pukawa Trust has been leasing Taurewa farm since 2019. The farm is 2,615 hectares of effective farm area and is used for sheep, deer and beef farming. It is located along State Highway 47. If you are travelling the highway and turn left to head up to the Chateau and skifield, the land across the road, just before the turnoff, marks one of the boundaries of Taurewa Farm.

We’ll provide more information about Taurewa farm in future posts, but we wanted to share this photo with you. It was taken yesterday by Brendon, the Taurewa farm manager, from on the farm looking toward the maunga. Many of the roads were closed yesterday around the central plateau due to the snowfall and icy conditions. The photo captures the sheer majesty of the maunga and of nature, and is a fitting reminder to always respect our taonga and to actively uphold our kaitiakitanga responsibilities.

Kia ora whanau,

Here’s five basic things about Waihi Pukawa Trust:

1. The Trust was established by a court order dated 23 March 1982.

2. It is an ahu whenua trust under Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993.

3. The whenua is located along State Highway 41, Kuratau, between the Kuratau turnoff and Pukawa turnoff. The trust also leases some land from other Maori entities.

4. The primary business activity is farming of sheep, cattle and deer. The trust also has forestry, property and indirect investments.

5. The trust is governed by a maximum of 7 trustees who serve for a 3-year term.

⭐️Tenei te mihi ki te whānau o Waihi Pukawa Trust⭐️