AWHI Magazine - Issue 11

THE WAY WE WERE: First

manager steps back in time

AWHI

TOITŪ TE MANA

5 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS FEEL IMPACT OF COVID-19

Global pandemic sees events programme postponed.

7 ŌAWHI: HE WHENUA, HE TĀNGATA, HE KOPOREIHANA

A look back at the beginnings of the Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation.

12 THE WAY WE WERE: FIRST MĀORI FARM MANAGER STEPS BACK IN TIME

To help mark the 50th anniversary of the Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation, AWHI magazine is celebrating those who have contributed along the way by telling their stories. Lou Tapa was the organisation’s first Māori farm manager and shares his memories.

NGĀ PĀNUI

EDUCATION GRANTS

10 POSITIVE PROGRESS REPORTED AT AGM

New markets bring steep learning curve for overall gain.

Applications close 30 June (see page 28 for details).

TOITŪ TE WHENUA TOITŪ TE TANGATA

29 SCHOLARSHIP HELPS WIREMU AIM HIGH

23 HUNTING CALENDAR PUT ON HOLD

COVID-19 prevents planned hunts from going ahead.

Grant helps doctor follow the path to reach his aspirations.

30 TACKLING SUCCESSION

The succession process can seem intimidating, but support can help smooth the way.

17 TE OREORE SLIP ON STATE HIGHWAY 4 Ātihau-Whanganui Inc work with Waka Kotahi NZTA to provide temporary solution for crucial road link.

20 DROUGHT HITS FARMS HARD

No rain calls for response plan to be activated.

21

Horticulture venture to provide exciting new revenue stream.

25

31 ‘KEI WHEA KOE?’ UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS LIST

Can you help us reconnect with these shareholders or their whānau?

RAETIHI RIDER’S RACE TO THE TOP Karaitiana Horne is making her mark on the motorcross scene.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY TO BEAR FRUIT

Editor’s Panui

AWHI MAGAZINE

Editor Mavis Mullins

Deputy Editor Polly Catlin-Maybury

Creative Director Sheree Anaru

Photography Quentin Bedwell

Graphic Design Dave Pope

ĀTIHAU-WHANGANUI INCORPORATION

Postal PO Box 4035

Whanganui 4541

Physical 16 Bell Street

Whanganui 4500

Ohakune 22 Ayr Street

Ohakune 4625

Telephone +64 (6) 348 7213

Fax +64 (6) 348 7482

Email office@atihau.com www.atihau.com

iSTUDIOS MULTIMEDIA LTD

Postal PO Box 8383

New Plymouth 4340

Phyisical 77B Devon Street East

New Plymouth 4310

Telephone +64 (6) 758 1863

Email info@istudios.co.nz www.istudios.co.nz

Te ringa miti tai heke

Our connection with tupuna knowledge and wisdom, and our own skill and determination, will help us navigate through challenging times together.

Challenges can come in many forms when you are an export business producing high-quality meat and honey – ranging from compliance legislation, adverse weather events, shareholder expectations and market volatility.

How you face those challenges and find solutions that enable you to continue to make progress towards your goals and aspirations can make a big difference.

Our kaimahi have been dealing with drought conditions not experienced since the 1940’s, bringing home the effects of climate change on our industry.

At the time of writing, New Zealand has been in lockdown for several weeks in an attempt to control the COVID-19 pandemic, and its potentially devastating impact on the global marketplace and world economy is being felt by businesses across all sectors of industry.

But this is not a time to panic. Here at Ātihau-Whanganui Inc we have activated our drought plans to ease the pressure on our animals and our whenua and are responding the best we can to the dynamic, ever-changing consumer and financial markets.

As an organisation, we have also been actively involved in the Te Ranga Tupua Collective and Waimarino Collective response hubs to ensure that we are collectively responding to the needs of our whānau, hapū and iwi.

Lou

CONTRIBUTORS

Polly Catlin-Maybury

Moana Ellis

Renee Kiriona-Ritete

Tui MacDonald

Whatever the coming months bring, we will continue to monitor the situation and conduct careful and frequent reviews of our investments and operations to ensure we stay ahead of the game.

In this our 50th year as an incorporation, it is more important than ever to remember the why of what we do.

Take care of yourselves and each other.

Kia haumaru te noho.

Mavis Mullins Chairperson

Tapa (left), ĀthauWhanganui Incorporation’s first Māori farm manager, with Te Tiwha Puketapu at the 2019 AGM.

Anniversary celebrations feel impact of COVID-19

Plans to celebrate Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation’s 50th anniversary year by bringing whānau together have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic and the unprecendented drought.

“The impact of these two events has had a major effect on the business, our markets, processing capability and, therefore, our budget,” says Mavis Mullins, chair of the ĀtihauWhanganui Inc Board. “We are reviewing and revising our operations almost daily as things are moving and changing so fast.

“It is disappointing as we had some really lovely events planned to bring our people together on our whenua so we could acknowledge, celebrate and reconnect, but unfortunately these have had to be postponed in order to keep everyone safe and well.

“But the intention is that all events will take place in 2021, including the Gala Shareholders Ball so don’t pack those dancing shoes away just yet!”

The milestone had already been marked with four delicious and beautifully decorated cakes at the Incorporation’s AGM last year.

“Well, you can’t have a birthday without cake!” laughs Mavis. “And when you have a lot of people, you need a lot of cake!”

The confections were decorated to represent the Incorporation, its beginnings through Morikaunui Incorporation, the Awhi consumer brand and Te Āti Hau Trust.

A commemorative book is to be launched, containing a brief history of the incorporation and insights into the life of Whakaari Rangitākuku Mete-Kīngi. Whakaari was a tribal leader and chair of both Morikaunui and Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporations, and his story will be told through the recollections of his whānau.

A record of the whenua, its landmarks and significance, along with the tribal understanding and knowledge it holds will also be included.

“Fifty years is a significant milestone and we have come a long way in that time,”says Mavis. “It’s been an amazing journey under some amazing leaders, with significant change across all aspects of the business in response to both internal and external influences.”

“The way we communicate with our

whānau is also very different to how it used to be because our people are so much more widespread now. We have embraced the digital revolution with our websites and social media presence and our biannual magazine is a quality publication to keep whānau up-to-date with our business and Trust activities.”

While the organisation has to evolve and adapt to an ever-changing, fast moving global marketplace, Mavis is confident that the very fi rst Committee of Management would still recognise the Incorporation they started.

“It’s been a big learning curve for everyone, including our shareholders, but our central kaupapa and vision to be a meaningful part of the lives of our people has remained constant,” she says.

“When the Incorporation was formed all that time ago, the ultimate aim was to protect ownership of the whenua and maintain our connection to it and to each other. That has not changed. I think that fi rst CoM would be proud.”

Celebrating 50 years as Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation 2020

ŌAWHI: HE WHENUA, HE TĀNGATA, HE KOPOREIHANA

This article, written by then director of the Board Toni Waho, was published in the very first issue of AWHI magazine.

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation, to acknowledge its beginnings and those who worked so hard to ensure that our people could maintain their connection with the whenua, the article is being reproduced here in its entirety.

Displaying heirloom feather cloaks and traditional weapons, the members of the Aotea Māori Land Council posed for this portrait in the early 1900s. The council was one of seven set up in 1900. Five years later it was replaced by land boards with reduced Māori membership. Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 3-A11992; photographer W H T Partington.

“Te mōrehu whenua, te mōrehu tangata” is the famous adage spoken by Taitoko Te Rangihiwinui in 1897 extolling the Minister of Native Affairs to care for the “remnants of the land and the remnants of the people.” What followed is the vesting of 115,000 acres into the care of the Government. In 1969, 101,000 acres of the vested lands were incorporated to form the ĀtihauWhanganui Incorporation.

Esther Tinirau’s 2005 Master’s thesis describes how Whanganui rangatira had tried to stop the tidal wave of land sales during the mid to late 1800s. Our ancestors held hui, wrote petitions, travelled to Wellington in attempts to protect their lands from acquisition by the Crown. By the late 1800s most of the land in the Whanganui rohe had been sold.

Māori leaders had been unanimous in asking the Crown to cease the purchase of Native Lands and ensure that the adjudication, management and administration of the remnant of their lands be vested in controlling councils, boards or committees composed of representative Māori.

And so, in 1897, when Native Minister James Carroll met with Whanganui Māori at the Moutoa Gardens “to discuss the best method to be adopted to assist [the] people and to preserve the remnant of their lands for the benefit of future

generations,” Taitoko said, “E Timi, te mōrehu tangata, te mōrehu whenua ki a koe.” (To you, James, I leave the remnants of the people, and the remnants of the land).

Within the year, Taitoko passed away. Whanganui Māori appealed to the Premier and Carroll that land buying cease. The Government then passed the Maori Lands Administration Act 1900. Māori were able to voluntarily vest land in councils of 5 to 7 members for leasing.

The Aotea Māori Land Council was established whereby the Crown and Māori of the district appointed the members. The majority of the Aotea Māori Land Council were Māori. Whanganui acknowledged the passing of the 1900 Act by vesting 115,000 acres in the care of the Government-appointed and Māori-elected Aotea Māori Council. The Māori members of the

Council were Rū Reweti, Taraua Marumaru, Takarangi Metekingi, Waata Wiremu Hipango and Te Aohau Nikitini. There were two Pākehā members who were both judges of the Native Land Court. Judge Johnstone was president and Mr T.W. Fisher was an ordinary member.

Later the Government changed the councils to boards, giving Pākehā the majority. Mr T. W. Fisher became the president of the Aotea Māori Land Board, with Mr Lundius and Takarangi Metekingi as ordinary members, all chosen by the Government. The role of the Board was to decide what would happen with our ancestors’ 115,000 acres.

There was no money given to run the Board. All income derived from the land paid for the administration. Ultimately the Board’s function was to determine who would lease the land and for how much under the “Glasgow” lease regime. These were perpetually renewable leases with 21-year rent reviews, with rental set at 5% of unimproved value. The improvements on the land were developed, owned and managed by the lessee. The Board had the power to resume land from lessees who wanted to vacate their land or whose leases the Board wanted to take back. Tinirau (2005) states it bluntly, “the reality was that the Board had no intention to resume

“...to discuss the best method to be adopted to assist [the] people and to preserve the remnant of their lands for the benefit of future generations...”

Taitoko Te Rangihiwinui

“...the reality was that the Board had no intention to resume the land nor were the lessees going to vacate...”

Esther Tinirau

the land nor were the lessees going to vacate – evidenced by the numerous attempts over the years by lessees and government officials to turn the leases into perpetual ones! This really is a story in itself with respect to our resilience over generations, inherited legacy, and continuity of leadership.”

The legislation guaranteed lessees would be compensated the value of

the development of the land, from the bare land up. Our ancestors were not happy about that situation.

Paula Berghan (2003) and Tony Walzl (2004) each wrote a report for the Waitangi Tribunal.

NGĀ WHENUA

So which were the land blocks that were vested that became the lands of Atihau-Whanganui Incorporation and what do we know about them?

The block Ētehi korero – some descriptions

Morikau 2

Ohotu 1C2 / 1A2B / 1B / 2 / 3

Their research reveals the hapū, tūpuna and significant aspects of our whenua as it was when it was presented to the Native (later Māori) Land Court. These are some of the descriptions of our whenua taken from their reports:

The original Morikau block was 27,722 acres but the amount vested was 12,000 acres. The principal ancestors and hapū they created were:

Tamakehu: Ngāti Kuramate, Ngāti Hinepuke, Ngāti Tamangaupare;

Tamawhata: Ngāti Tamawhango, Ngāti Toki, Ngāti Taongamawhiti, Ngāti Pounamuriki, Ngāti Tamatautahi;

Tamaromia: Ngāti Whakararu, Ngāti Hinerauiri.

Ohotū is 80,000 acres. Tūtapu is the principal ancestor. Ohotu 1-5 were awarded to Ngāti (sic) Poutama (Ngā Poutama).

Ohotu 8 The Ngāti Rangi portion of Ohotū

Otiranui 2 The descendants of Rangitawheao

Otiranui 3 The descendants of Rangiwhareua

Paetawa A / B / C

Raetihi 3B2B / 4B / 3A

All the Paetawa blocks totalling 3,350 or so acres were vested. The researchers do not name the ancestors or hapū, but the Board understands the connection is to Ngāti Tuera of Pungarehu.

The 17,300 acre Raetihi block was hotly contested eventually being awarded jointly to descendants of Ngāti Tara (of Tamakana), of Ngāti Kahuiparera (from Rānana), and Ngāti Tamatautahi. The Crown acquired 3,363 acres. The vested blocks came from Raetihi 3 and 4, which totalled 7,000 acres.

Retaruke 1 / 2 / 4C

Tauakira 2F / 2H / 2J / 2K / 2L / 2M6 / 2V / 2W / 2X / 2Y / 2Z / 2AA / 2BB / 2CC / 2DD / 2EE / 2FF / 2GG

Waharangi 1 / 2 / 3 / 5

Ngāti Tamakana, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Rongonui are the hapū of the 20,500 acre original block.

Originally 50,000 acres, several hapū laid claim to the block: Kahukura, Uenuku, Pāmoana, Tako te Hau, Taonga Muru Mau.

Originally 16,151 acres, the Waharangi block had several ancestors: Hinehawera, Tūmōkai, Rangitatau, Tūwhakaata, Rapa, Taikimihia, Tiko, Te Wakapaeroa, Pito, Hikaeroa and others.

Positive progress reported at AGM

The overall message from the 2019 Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation AGM was one of positive progress and a good financial result after a challenging farming season.

There was also the opportunity to celebrate the Awhiwhenua training programme as the graduation of the year’s cadets also took place.

Andrew Beijeman, CEO, told the hui that the year had been one of learning for the team as they explored new revenue streams and marketplaces for the Awhi range of products.

“We have had a real focus on adding value by moving further up the supply chain to develop a stronger connection with our customers and that is delivering the economic

benefits we planned for, along with some learning opportunities we didn’t!” he says. “But anything learned is knowledge gained, putting us in a stronger position for the years to come.”

This strategy saw the launch of the Ruapehu Angus brand in February 2019, and Awhi Lamb introduced into the US marketplace through the Incorporation’s strategic partnership with Broadleaf Game. Awhi Single Harvest Honey will also soon be available to American consumers.

The end-of-year accounts reported

total revenue of $24m (an increase on $21.6 in 2018) and total equity of $160m (159.6m 2018). The total net surplus (before fi nance costs and non-operating revaluations) was $3.0m ($3.1 2018).

The Incorporation’s livestock has performed well, with an increase in the numbers of calves and lambs born and steers attracting an average price of $1851 at market. Those sent to the Angus Pure NZ programme attract a 10% premium which translates to $160 more per head.

“This shows the benefit of a valueadd strategy, and we are proud that our farms supply 80% of the beef distributed under the Angus Pure NZ brand to this business partnership,” says Andrew.

Ātihau-Whanganui Inc bees have been busy with an increase in production of 91,761 kilograms of honey overall and there are plans for a new organic product stream to be on supermarket shelves within the next two years.

In terms of farm development and caring for the land, the Incorporation is continuing to show its commitment with a further 10,000m of riparian fencing completed and 2000 native species planted in 2017/2018. Another 12,600m of fencing to protect native bush and erosion-prone areas from damage by stock has also been installed as part of our partnership with Horizons regional council – all part of the investment and development programme which is currently in its third year.

The kaimahi who work at ĀtihauWhanganui Inc are the heartbeat of the organisation, so positive and favourable feedback from a staff engagement survey was pleasing, says Chair of the Board, Mavis Mullins.

“The sound fi nancial result posted is a reflection of the fact that we

have an organisation working together as a team at every level of the business,” she added. “Every member of the whānau here has played their part and I want them to know that their contribution is noted and appreciated.”

One of the on-going challenges the business faces is reconnecting with whānau who have unpaid dividends.

“We are working hard to build new connections by creating opportunities for our shareholders

to talk to us face to face, as well as using social media and other channels to fi nd those who may not have realised they are entitled to a payout,” says Mavis.

“This challenge is one that many incorporations and trusts face, and is growing year-on-year as succession occurs, so we will continue our efforts. It is important to note that the incorporation is only one step in a multiple-step process that has to be undertaken to get to formal succession.”

“Sharing our year with our shareholders is always something I look forward to and last year’s AGM was no different,” says Andrew. “Ensuring our shareholders have the transparency they need and us being upfront and honest about our achievements and challenges is an essential part of who we are as an organisation.”

“ Ensuring our shareholders have the transparency they need and us being upfront and honest about our achievements and challenges is an essential part of who we are as an organisation.”

Mavis Mullins

The 2019 AGM was a time for shareholders to reconnect (below left), celebrate (right) and acknowledge (bottom).

The way we were: First Māori farm manager steps back in time

From vesting to incorporation to contemporary business, the triumphs and opportunities have been hard-won. In its 50th year, Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation has many stories to remember and celebrate, none greater than those of the leaders and workers who broke new ground to turn the impossible into reality. Moana Ellis talks to Ātihau-Whanganui Inc’s first Māori farm manager, Lou Tapa.

Lou Tapa’s is a story grounded in a different lifetime. Born 92 years ago on Morikau Road, his life is forever linked with the development of Morikaunui Incorporation and the events and people who shaped the history of Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation.

Morikau stands as a significant pou for the river lands, its decadeslong battle to regain compulsorily acquired whenua leaving a legacy of strong leadership and support for the river tribes. For Lou Tapa - born in 1928 and living most of his life on the lands that became Morikaunui - tenacity, commitment and hard work were just part of the landscape.

What was it like, growing up on the upper reaches during the Depression? “We worked hard,” Lou says. “All my family knew how

to work. I was only eight when I started getting the cows in at 4.30am and milking them. After school - go home, get a piece of bread, milk the cows, 6 o’clock have tea, chop wood for the old girl, go to bed.”

“She was hard yakka in those days. It’s been hard yakka all my life, really - cutting posts and going fencing with my father when I was a little fulla. I’ve always known if I want something I have to work for it.”

But in his earlier years, it was a different story. “Spoilt. I was adopted out to an old lady up the river when I was two,” he says.

Ninety years later, he speaks fondly of their five years together. “E Kui, I called her. She had a name, Ngāone Harihona - she was the only one in our parts with a moko.” >>

They lived in the hills behind Kawana, the only access by foot, and te reo Māori the only language. About 70 years old, she used to carry him on her back to the river at Matahiwi, and then by canoe to the western bank and the wharepuni at Galatea (which later floated down the river to Koroniti, Lou says).

“Do anything, go anywhere - that was my life. That’s where I learned my reo, from the old duck. Walked to school, four and a half miles. I don’t know what we lived on. When we got short of tucker, we’d catch some eels.”

When Lou was eight, he returned to his parents at Rānana and began milking at the farm on Morikau Rd. The hard yakka was broken up with occasional trips to Whanganui on the Hattrick boats. He remembers the Waione and the Whakapai, and how it took all day to get to town.

He finished school at 14 to work at Morikau for the farm manager’s wife, Mrs Davidson, and the old teamster, Whata, who rode up from Jerusalem to do the cropping. “I would catch six or eight of his horses, give them a feed, brush them down, and get them in their harness.”

When he was 16 he joined the

shearing gang run by his father Bob, shearing for a couple of seasons at Bartrams and Morikau. His grandfather, Tanginoa Tapa from Parikino, also worked on Morikau Farm at some stage, fencing, sowing swedes, or shearing.

Lou saved money and went to Wellington in his late teens, where the proud Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi river rat met and married Pikihuia Whakaewa Linderen Brown (known as Linderen), of Parewahawaha, Tūwharetoa, Raukawa and Ngāti Toa. They have been together for more than 65 years. Lou worked at a paintworks and the couple had the first of their six children before returning to Rānana in 1954, at the request of Lou’s father, to help prepare for the resumption of 13,635 acres of incorporated lands in 1955.

The newly formed Morikaunui sheep and cattle station stretched from Rānana to Jerusalem. With huge paddocks of 300 to 470 acres, good shepherds were crucial.

During the first stint of his 31 years at Morikau, Lou shepherded for 18 years, the last six as head shepherd.

In 1962, Lou’s father became a member of the Ohorea Advisory Committee, established to represent owners, following the

groundswell movement buoyed by the Morikaunui example to resume 115,000 acres of ancestral land that had been vested at the turn of the century in the care of the Aotea Māori Land Council. The Committee members were: Messrs Bailey, Metekingi, Wright, Peehi, Amohia and Tapa. But it was Morikaunui chair Te Rangitākuku Mete-Kīngi who had Lou “in his rifle sight”. According to Lou, shortly after Ohorea Station was formed in 1969 with 5824 acres of resumed land, Rangi Mete-Kīngi squeezed the trigger and Lou became the first Ātihau-Whanganui Inc Māori farm manager.

He started at Ohorea - near Raetihi - in January 1973, just before Ātihau took control in June. The land had been managed on behalf of Māori Affairs by George Johns, formerly of Morikau.

“Ohorea was quite easy to farm in those days compared to Morikau. George had it pretty right. All the stock was looked after, all the paddocks were grazed. Contractors did the cropping but there was very little of that in those days. I got used to doing little jobs compared

“ Walked to school, four and a half miles. I don’t know what we lived on. When we got short of tucker, we’d catch some eels.”

Lou Tapa

Left (l-r): Whatarangi Murphy-Peehi, Lou Tapa, Keria Ponga and Shar Amner.

Right: Lou Tapa helps celebrate 50 years of Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporaton by cutting one of the commemoration cakes at the 2019 AGM with Ellen Haami.

to Morikau, which was twice the size. At Ohorea I had about 3000 ewes, whereas at my last lambing at Morikau I had 14,000 breeding ewes and 2500 cattle,” remembers Lou.

“The paddocks at Ohorea were small compared to Morikau, but to get around the farm you still had to use horses. I had a shepherd, a rouseabout and a fencer. Ohorea was easy country, better than Morikau, although we had some steep cliffs. The farm was pretty well developed.

“Having snow was something new - the trick was to block out so many paddocks for the winter.”

The homestead at Ohorea was beautiful, reached by driving through a stand of bush.

“But it was cold. In those days, no such thing as insulation. But we had open fires and plenty of maire. You got used to the weather. We were five minutes from Raetihi. There were more people in those days – you go to a rodeo now... hardly anybody! In those days, there were hundreds of people from everywhere,” Lou says.

After a few years, Rangi MeteKīngi began pressing Lou to return to Morikaunui as farm manager. Although Robin Murphy-Peehi tried his best to convince him to stay, Lou’s home had always been Morikau. In 1976, after three years at Ohorea, Lou went back to manage Morikau for 13 years, retiring in 1989.

Now living with one of their sons at Pūtiki, Lou and Linderen enjoy their many great grandchildren, all the while observing the progress of Morikaunui and ĀtihauWhanganui.

“Good luck to Ātihau, they’re doing

very, very well,” Lou says. Although he’s had recent health challenges, Lou still counts himself a hard worker, and still drives.

“It’s the hard yakka that’s made me like this,” he says. “Life is just what you put into it.”

“ The paddocks at Ohorea were small compared to Morikau, but to get around the farm you still had to use horses.”

Lou Tapa

Working together

Smarter farming is about finding a better way, by working together to find the right solution, for the right place at the right time. Together, through research

projects like Pioneering to Precision, we’re finding smarter ways to reduce environmental impacts while optimising value from the land.

Proud to be working with Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation

Te Oreore Slip on State Highway 4

When a major slip event occurred at Te Oreore in October 2019, it disrupted the lives of many local families and businesses who use State Highway 4 between Raetihi and Whanganui.

The slip affected State Highway 4 as well as surrounding land owned by Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation located 18 kilometres south of Raetihi, and it was important for both the Incorporation and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) that this vital link was reconnected. The solution was for a

Images supplied by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

temporary road to be established as soon as possible with a permanent and more resilient road built in the future.

The Incorporation played a vital role in assisting Waka Kotahi to design and build the two-lane, sealed temporary road, which opened just before Christmas 2019.

Whetu Moataane, Tikanga and Branding Manager at ĀtihauWhanganui Inc, was pleased with the response and care taken by Waka Kotahi and its contractors.

“It means a lot for Ātihau, our whānau and community to have this temporary road. People were anxious because this road is the only reliable access they have to their homes and farms,” says Whetu.

“We applaud NZTA, Higgins Construction and their crew, who did such a great job to complete this road in only three months, and just before Christmas too.”

State Highway 4 is an important link to Raetihi, emergency services, forestry, agriculture and the broader community to Whanganui. While it was damaged, the detour via Fields Track added at least 30 minutes,

or much longer using other state highways, to the trip between Raetihi and Whanganui.

NZTA Regional Transport Systems Manager (Manawatu, Whanganui and Taranaki) Ross I’Anson is grateful to the guidance provided by Ātihau-Whanganui Inc.

“They welcomed us into the area and opened the door to some good conversations,” says Ross. “When the slip happened, we worked closely with the Incorporation and Ngāti Rangi right through to when the work started. We were cognisant of wāhi tapu sites and worked closely with them to identify these and any other areas of cultural significance.”

Ross also notes how accommodating Ātihau-Whanganui Inc were in providing access to the site prior to the beginning of construction.

“We’re grateful to the organisation which arranged for fences and stock to be moved to enable safe access to the area for our contractors. This included entry for monitoring purposes and then the eventual moving of earth, drainage, putting in culverts and then the building of the temporary road.”

Before construction began on the temporary road there was a blessing by Ngāti Rangi to acknowledge the whenua and also ensure the safety of those working on site, and a special opening and blessing by Ngāti Rangi members and representatives from Ātihau-Whanganui Inc, NZTA, contractors and local officials was held when the road was completed.

“It was great to open this road in such a short space of time,” says

Images supplied by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

“ Locals turned out in their droves which demonstrated the importance of reopening this link to the community.”

Ross I’Anson

Ross. “Locals turned out in their droves which demonstrated the importance of re-opening this link to the community.

The slip happened in a region where hillslopes are steep, and the underlying rocks are weak. This makes the area susceptible to landslips as a result of events such as earthquakes and prolonged periods of heavy rainfall.

Remnants of the old road remain down the hillside towards the Mangawhero River, but the temporary road has been built over the slip, which was 30 to 50 metres deep.

The slip area continues to be monitored. To help stabilise the ground, poplar tree poles have been planted with the aim of preventing further slips, as each plant takes about 100 litres of water a day from the ground.

Work toward strengthening the relationship between Waka Kotahi and Ātihau-Whanganui Inc continues to grow in strength, as a solution for the permanent road is implemented.

“The NZTA are engaging with us, Ngāti Rangi and local hapū Ngāi Tuhiariki as building a permanent solution is still a matter of urgency,” says Whetu.

Top left: The blessing led by Ngāti Rangi iwi, staff of Ātihau-Whanganui Inc, NZTA and Higgins Construction

Left: AWHI Tikanga & Brand Manager, Whetu Moataane.

Top right (l-r) Elijah Pue, Raana Mareikura, Harete Hipango (MP for Whanganui) and Vera Whakaaronui Wilson.

Drought hits farms hard

It’s been a game of two halves for Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation’s kaimahi this season with ideal farming conditions giving way to drought and the global coronavirus outbreak.

“It’s very hard when you are beginning to think that you are on for a record year productionwise and then suddenly you are in crisis mode,” says Siwan Shaw, Business Manager for ĀtihauWhanganui Inc. “But we have great management plans in place and the investment in our farms is paying off in terms of water reticulation and fencing, easing some of the pressure on our farm teams.”

At the end of 2019 there was excellent grass growth, beef prices were high and the milk production from the Ātihau-Whanganui Inc dairy herd was on track to record levels.

“But someone turned the taps off,” said Siwan. “After Christmas there was no rain and our farms just got drier and drier.”

“Then the coronavirus outbreak began having an impact on the Chinese markets and suddenly the meatworks were no longer taking animals, just when farmers were looking to reduce stock levels due to lack of feed.”

“The water tables are going down and we are having to give our cattle and sheep feed that had been intended for winter.”

“Dealing with drought can be a stressful time for our farming whānau as they work hard to ensure their animals continue to receive the food and water they need.”

But learnings from previous droughts and recent changes within the farming policy meant the organisation had an action plan ready, with all cull ewes being sold before Christmas thereby easing pressure on grazing.

Lambs have been sold at a reduced store price, again reducing the demand on feed and water. The favourable growing conditions in the fi rst half of the season also meant that excess feed could be laid by, which will help keep the winter feed bill as low as possible.

“We pride ourselves on being able to meet challenges in a deliberate, well-thought out way that limits any impact on our animals, our whenua

and on the business itself,” says Siwan. “By not waiting until things got critical before responding to the lack of rain, we have put ourselves in the best possible position so we can continue servicing our contracts with Angus Pure and Foodchain, our two biggest customers, and keep any fi nancial losses to a minimum.”

“We have also been monitoring on any planned expenditure over and above what needs to be spent to keep the business going until the situation improves, both in terms of the weather and the marketplace.”

Siwan says the reaction of the kaimahi to the situation has been inspiring, with team members stepping up to ensure that the animals are given top priority care.

“While it is a stressful time, our farm teams are responding with a positive attitude and really good management plans that will see us through until, fi ngers crossed, the autumn rain comes again.”

“ We pride ourselves on being able to meet challenges in a deliberate, well-thought out way that limits any impact on our animals, our whenua and on the business itself.”

Siwan Shaw

Investment strategy to bear fruit

A new product is being added to the Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation’s food basket off ering - blueberries!

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An initial two hectares of growing tunnels is currently being set up at Te Hou Farms, an investment property run in partnership by Ngā Waiariki-Ngāti Apa, ĀtihauWhanganui Inc and Waitatapia Station Ltd.

The 1225-hectare farm is located 15 km east of Bulls and consists of a 376-hectare irrigated dairy unit, drystock and cropping.

“Te Hou Farms has always represented an opportunity for us to diversify our investment portfolio, as well as increasing our exposure to dairy, as part of a strategic partnership,” says Mavis Mullins, Chair of the Ātihau-Whanganui Inc Board. “This new undertaking is an exciting one which will see our blueberries on supermarket shelves across Aotearoa.”

The investment is being carried out as part of a fully integrated commercial business model, meaning that customers are ready and waiting for the berries to be grown.

“We are still at an early stage of development, with the growing tunnels being set up and the technology that delivers water and nutrients in precise quantities being installed,” says Andrew Beijeman, CEO of Ātihau-Whanganui Inc. “Growing blueberries on a commercial scale is a very scientific and efficient process and we are

excited to learn more about the horticultural business.”

“All being well, we should see more tunnels being set up in the future to expand our growing potential. Although the climate and soils are favourable for growing blueberries, the tunnel housing ensures those variables will be specifically managed, so we are expecting very good yields of fruit.”

The Te Hou Farms partnership has been in place for nearly six years and has seen significant development on farm to increase production and efficiency.

“The dairy unit particularly has seen extensive irrigation work carried out along with a upgraded effluent treatment system,” says Andrew. “This has contributed to its excellent performance as one of the top 20% dairy units in the country. Irrigation development, which will give us more options in terms of land use on the rest of the farm, is currently about halfway to completion.”

The partnership is an interesting one, as it requires three very different entities to work together to fi nd common ground.

“Collaboration with other entities and organisations is essential for us moving forward, and Te Hou Farms is a very good example of working

with others to give us the leverage to exploit new opportunities,” says Mavis.

“We need to be courageous as we continue to implement our strategic aims and look for new ways to follow our kaupapa of toitū te mana, toitū te whenua, toitū te tangata, to help people and nature to flourish together.”

“Of course, all our decisions are made once the best due diligence has been carried out and frequent reviews ensure that all our investments continue to meet the benchmarks we have laid down to ensure the opportunity is a fruitful one.”

“Te Hou Farms is a long-term investment that manages risk and creates opportunities for the future.”

“ This has contributed to its excellent performance as one of the top 20% dairy units in the country.”

Mavis Mullins

“ This new undertaking is an exciting one which will see our blueberries on supermarket shelves across Aotearoa.”

Mavis Mullins

Hunting calendar put on hold

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that a series of hunting events for Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation shareholders and their whānau have been put on hold.

All six of the Incorporation’s farms had hunting weekends marked on the calendar for March, May and November, and a special hunt was also planned to celebrate the organisation’s 50th anniversary which would have seen all the marae in the Whanganui rohe competing with each other.

“Over the years, our shareholders have called for more hunting opportunities on their whenua and this year we were going to deliver those opportunities to them, on a bigger scale than ever before,” says Whetu Moataane, Tikanga and Branding Manager for ĀtihauWhanganui Incorporation and member of the Hunting Advisory Group. “But the national response to COVID-19 has meant hunting is on hold for our whānau for the time being.”

“It is very disappointing because we had a really exciting series of hunting events planned.”

Hunting weekends had already begun in February, with more than 100 shareholders and whānau taking the opportunity to reconnect with the whenua and harvest some kai, before the COVID-19 response was put into action.

“People from as far as the South Island and Tauranga came with their kids and mokopuna,” says Whetu. “It was also great seeing

a number of wāhine leading their whānau on these hunts.”

“I’m so pleased they all got to experience hunting on their whenua before we all had to go into lockdown.”

Rex Martin, manager of ĀtihauWhanganui Inc’s Ohorea Station, who also sits on the Hunting Advisory Group, said the fi rst events went very well and everyone was happy with the large number of deer shot.

“Populations of red deer and fallow deer on our farms can cause damage to fencing and the whenua, as well as eating feed intended for our stock,” he explained. “So, it was a real winwin because we were able to give our shareholders access to some really excellent hunting and harvesting opportunities and they did a great job in assisting us with our pest control programme.”

Strict health and safety rules were in place at the events, with farm managers giving all hunters a full briefi ng and checking fi rearms licences and fi rst aid kits. All other equipment, such as quad bikes, were also inspected to ensure they were fit for purpose.

“While it is a shame that COVID-19 has meant we can’t continue with our hunting programme, our intention is that we will be able to hold these types of events again

once the pandemic is over,” says Whetu. “As an organisation we are responding to a rapidly changing situation in all areas of the business at the moment, so we ask our whānau to respect the guidelines being set down by the government and stay at home and stay safe until we can all get back to normality once again.”

“ While it is a shame that COVID-19 has meant we can’t continue with our hunting programme, our intention is that we will be able to hold these types of events again once the pandemic is over.”

Rex Martin

My whenua connects me to my past, present and future

It’s not about money. It’s something within that draws me to it. The desire to uphold the respect for our land that our ancestors held, and their values.

We look after nearly 100,000 hectares of Māori land on behalf of over 97,000 owners. But we only have 60% of the contact details that we need for owners. This means that over 30,000 owners are losing a connection to their whenua. We need your help to locate owners so we can invite them to hui, pay them any funds we hold for them, and understand their aspirations for the whenua.

Who is Te Tumu Paeroa

We support Māori land owners to protect and enhance their land – for now and generations to come.

What to do next

Maintain your connection. If you or your whānau have new contact details, please let us know.

0800 WHENUA tetumupaeroa.co.nz

It’s important to keep my ties with the land and in touch with my heritage.

Raetihi rider’s race to the top

She may be pint-sized but dirt bike racer Karaitiana Horne isn’t letting it stop her from standing on the winners’ podium.

The 11-year-old Raetihi rider is a recognised name in motorcross (MX) racing and has twice represented New Zealand in international challenges.

Having made her mark over the past few years racing in the Pro65 class (a class for youngsters riding 65cc engine bikes), Karaitiana stepped

it up a notch last year and began to compete on her Yamaha 85cc bike as well in the 8-11 years 85 class, termed as double-classing, as she transitioned into Junior Women’s racing. In September - with the support of the Te Āti Hau Trust - she rode her way to the podium in the Junior Women’s nationals, claiming

third place and earning accolades from the Kiwi motocross world.

And - as if the complex terrain of outdoor racing wasn’t challenge enough - last year Karaitiana took on the narrower tracks, tighter turns and crowd-pleasing feature jumps of Supercross at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium, taking 4th place in her age group at the Monster Energy SX Open. This huge international event attracts riders from all over the world and more than 20,000 spectators come to watch the action.

Karaitiana’s desire to succeed is well known among her Ruapehu and river whānau. Everything’s a race, her mum Kiriana HenareGembitsky says. “She’s crazy

Images: Karaitiana loves to play in the dirt, holding her own against other competitors and following in her Dad’s footsteps; onto the winners podium!

Images on page 26 supplied by the Horne whanau.

competitive - not just on the track, but in life. It’s all a race even if it’s not a race. She puts pressure on everybody, even me - and I’m not competitive at all!”

The pocket rocket fi rst jumped on a motorbike when she was five, but didn’t like racing.

“Her fi rst race - which she didn’t want to do - was when she turned eight,” Kiriana said. “She came dead last but she just loved it and ever since then it’s been non-stop improvement. Once she gets hooked, that’s her and she sticks to it. She likes to keep fit and she honestly doesn’t know how to play any video games.”

With Dad Richard as her main training buddy - he races in the MX1 class and is ranked 9th in the country in his division - Karaitiana counts herself lucky to be able to train at a track at Rangataua, near Ohakune, owned by the Deadman family. She trains at least twice a week with friends including racers Holly and Ricky Deadman. And, of course, her hero - her Dad.

“She can’t beat her Dad yetbut she’s going to, she reckons... although she’ll have to practise pretty hard to beat him!” laughs Kiriana.

Karaitiana is a mokopuna of the tupuna Henare Keremeneta from

Te Ao Marama, the Henare whānau at Pīpīriki and the Winiata whānau at Makaranui. As a descendant of an Ātihau shareholder, she received a National Sport Grant to support her nationals campaign.

“It allowed her to compete in double classes, upgrade her licence from club to championship, and train at the nationals track with top rider Rhys Carter before the nationals, which I think helped her so much,” Kiriana says.

Te Āti Hau Trust chair Shar Amner said the Trust is pleased to be slowly increasing the level of support to shareholders and their uri through grants for education, health and >>

EducationScholarship ApplicationForm ClosingDate:31August2020

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well-being, marae initiatives and sport.

“It’s good to see our high-achieving tamariki succeeding in the global sporting arena, and to support their development in both traditional and non-traditional sports,” he says. “Supporting and celebrating success is a way of helping our whānau to reach their potential.”

“Once she gets hooked, that’s her and she sticks to it. She likes to keep fit and she honestly doesn’t know how to play any video games.”

3yearscholarshipawardedto Agribusiness,Commerceand Environmentalmanagement studies. Submitannualreport.

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Kiriana Henare-Gembitsky

Scholarship helps Wiremu aim high

Dr Wiremu MacFater’s desire to learn has seen him complete a medical degree and begin work on a doctorate, as well as hold aspirations to become a specialist Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon.

His dedication and commitment to his academic studies have been supported by the Te Āti Hau Trust previously – and this year he has received the High Achievers Scholarship, worth $2000, which will be put towards his university fees.

Wiremu (Te Āti Hau, Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui) is currently in the fi nal year of his Doctor of Philosophy (phD) post-graduate degree, which has involved carrying out research on how to improve post-operative pain and functional recovery after major abdominal surgery.

“I am honoured and humbled by the Trust’s belief in me and its willingness to invest in my career,” he says. “You never forget the support you get from your whānau and uri as you chase your aspirations. I also feel there is an obligation there now, in a good way, for me to go back and serve them in some way. I don’t know what it is yet but I know an opportunity will come.”

His main motivation behind completing a pHD was to be able to learn how to conduct clinical research, so he can carry out his own studies in the future.

“One of my main career goals is to work in some of those peripheral hospitals, outside of the big main centres which often dictate the protocol, and research how the health care systems we have in place

are working for communities in need,” says Wiremu.

“I want to be able to produce good evidence-based studies that will help to ensure people in these areas are served by an effective and culturally appropriate process that delivers health equity.”

Married to Moana with a threemonth baby girl, Wiremu also has his sights set fi rmly on becoming a ENT surgeon, undaunted by the seven years of training it takes, and is also keen to become affi liated to an academic institution as a research associate.

“Yes, lots of aspirations,” he agrees. “I am proud to be in a position where I can be a bit of a role model for young Māori because hopefully, if they see what I am doing and achieving, they will feel they can aim high too.”

“It’s very important that as a people we have trailblazers who can lead the way for others, who can show our rangitahi that they can do anything they set their minds to if they have the determination to succeed.

“The Te Āti Hau Trust is playing a very significant role in enabling that to happen by providing the support it does, helping us to build the skills and expertise our communities need.”

Shar Amner, Chair of the Te Āti Hau Trust, says the ongoing support Wiremu has received is an indication of the pride it feels when scholarship and grant recipients perform well.

“It is important that what Wiremu has achieved already is acknowledged and celebrated and this scholarship towards his continued study is one way of doing that,” he adds.

“Seeing our uri go out and shine in specialised fields on a global scale brings mana and joy to us all as iwi and whānau.”

“The Trust’s kaupapa is enabling and supporting the aspirations of our shareholders and their beneficiaries so we encourage our young scholars to apply for support.”

“ It is important that what Wiremu has achieved already is acknowledged and celebrated and this scholarship towards his continued study is one way of doing that.”

Shar Amner

Tackling succession

Succeeding to land interests will help deliver $2.3m in unclaimed dividends.

Whānau who have not fi led for succession after a shareholder has passed on are among those entitled to $2.3 million in unclaimed Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation dividends.

Ātihau-Whanganui Inc launched a new drive at the end of last year to fi nd and connect missing shareholders with the unpaid dividends owed to them. Of more than 9000 shareholders, 5000 are deemed missing because their contact details are unknown.

Jonelle Hiroti-Kinane, Shareholder Engagement Officer, said one of the reasons names and contact details are missing is because an original shareholder has passed away and their whānau have not completed succession (when shares are transferred from a person who has died to those whānau who are entitled to them).

There are several reasons why succession might not be completed.

their loved one’s Ātihau-Whanganui shares. They can then claim their dividends from the incorporation. That process can sound daunting but it is just something we need to do. The longer you leave it, the harder it can be to assemble the information and make the connection.”

Filing for succession can be a lengthy process because it is thorough, Jonelle says. It can take anywhere between three and 12 months, and the timeframe depends on different factors.

But support is available. ĀtihauWhanganui Inc has a succession information pack that details the various ways to go about succession, including information about succeeding to shares individually or vesting shares in a whānau trust.

through the District Offices, the National Pānui, or the Court’s website www.maorilandcourt.govt.nz.

Amiria Joseph-Wiari, Deputy Registrar at the Māori Land Court in Whanganui, says whānau are also encouraged to contact Court staff to talk about succession.

“Understanding what succession is and how to go about it is the fi rst barrier for many whānau. Secondly, the application form itself is quite long so completing and fi ling an application is a time-consuming task.”

“We can walk whānau through the whole process and help them understand not only how to fi ll out the application but the court process, what they can expect at the court sitting, and the different parts of succession.”

It is important early in the process to talk as a whānau about succession, Amiria says.

“Some whānau may not know about the shareholding or that they have money owing to them. Others are not ready to arrange succession (they might still be grieving), or are holding back because they are unsure of the process,” says Jonelle.

“Where a shareholder has passed on, their descendants must go through the Māori Land Court to succeed to

to look after their land interests – but

“Every case is different and it’s up to the whānau to make the best decisions for their situation on how to look after their land interests – but we are here to help them with the process,” says Jonelle.

“Staff at the Māori Land Court are also really supportive. They deal with all the different types of succession and are very good at guiding people through the process.”

same page and have a collective (they might still be grieving), or

The Māori Land Court holds 2020

The Māori Land Court holds regular clinics across the country to provide information, advice and assistance. Dates and locations for each clinic in 2020 are available

“One of the biggest issues when dealing with succession is if whānau don’t agree or don’t understand who is entitled to succeed – for example, where there are whāngai. If these things have not been discussed and worked through prior to the Court sitting, the process becomes lengthy and that doesn’t help whānau resolve issues. If whānau are on the same page and have a collective understanding it makes succession easier.”

Next issue: How to prepare for the process.

This is the first part of a two-part series looking into the process of succession and what support is available to whānau.

“Staff at the Māori Land Court

‘Kei whea koe?’

Unclaimed Dividends List

Do you or your whānau know any of the people on the list below?

Each of them holds more than $1,000 worth of unclaimed dividends and Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation would love to reconnect with them.

If you have any information, please contact Charmaine or Jonelle at the office as follows: Email: office@atihau.com

between

Please note: The office is currently closed to visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions.