Green light for ground-breaking Taiao Strategy

A game-changing strategy setting out a framework for how the agricultural assets of the Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation will be managed has been approved by the board.

It has been described by previous board chair Mavis Mullins as a “platinum standard” for best practice and, reflecting Ātihau- Whanganui Incorporation values and principles, it will ensure that business decisions are based on kaitiakitanga.

After more than a year of development, the green light for the Taiao Strategy – which has a five-year timeframe – has been welcomed by Chief Executive Andrew Beijeman.

“Having received approval from the board, we will now be focusing on getting it implemented,” he says.

“It is a significant chunk of work, but we are getting it under way, which is good.

“The first step has been to recruit a Taiao manager, who will prioritise the work programme and handle applications for funding. We are really pleased to have Courtney Haywood come on board to help in this position.”

Courtney (Ngāti Rangi) is a shareholder descendant and comes from the Te Karu whānau, who have strong connections to Maungārongo.

Acknowledging there are some lofty goals in the strategy, Andrew describes it as “an exciting piece of work – and certainly a challenge”.

“But it will put us at the forefront of managing the land with less impact on the environment.

“This is something that the whole agriculture sector has to be thinking about.”

The strategy was prepared by environmental planner Tina Porou, who is enthusiastic about what she sees as a ground-breaking project.

“Many other trusts, incorporations and mainstream farms are interested in whether they can use a similar model,” she says.

Andrew notes that an important aspect of setting the strategy involved extensive consultation with shareholders and staff on what the final framework should look like.

“And we took their feedback on board,” he says.

The strategy lists a number of specific targets which should be met by 2028. These include:

• fencing off waterways

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• regenerating biodiversity in retired habitats

• planting

• pest control

• investigating regenerative agriculture and how practices can be changed to further lessen the impact of farming

• assessing the economic impact of any changes.

Says Mavis Mullins: “The Taiao Strategy will codify where mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and farming best practice meet. Our expectations as a kaupapa-driven whānau business are that our activities cause no harm.”

The strategy has also allowed Ātihau to change its lending arrangements to a Sustainability Linked Loan, providing further integrity to the implementation of the strategy, and a small interest saving if goals are achieved.