Kia ora Operiki! Kia ora Waipuna!

This year’s Ātihau-Whanganui Incorporation (AWHI) farm tour saw shareholders visit two farms to get an up-close and personal look at what is happening with their whenua.

Around 50 shareholders attended the tour, which started at Operiki Station up the Whanganui River, followed by a visit to the Waipuna Station in Raetihi.

AWHI Tikanga and Branding Manager Whetu Moataane said the tour not only allowed shareholders to reconnect with their whenua but also to be able to speak directly to farm managers and board members in attendance – Mavis Mullins (chair), Whatarangi Peehi-Murphy, Keria Ponga and associate director Sarah Bell.

At the 1900-hectare Operiki Station, board members and farm manager Sheldon O’Hagan brought shareholders up to date with the amalgamation of the farm with the neighbouring Papahaua and Waipuna Stations.

At the 4300-hectare Waipuna Station, farm manager Greg Shaw spoke with shareholders about the major project to build more than 27 kilometres of new fencing to protect native bush and the natural waterways that run through it.

The fencing project was being done in conjunction with Horizons Regional Council and is almost completed.

Waipuna is one of AWHI’s larger farms made up of 80 paddocks that carry 7600 breeding ewes and calves and 500 breeding cows.

“The shareholders were really pleased with both visits and the information they got first-hand from the farmers and Board members,” Whetu says.

Above: The Farm tour was enjoyed by a large group of shareholders and AWHI team members.

“The tour also gave them an opportunity to talk about their aspirations and ask questions about environmental sustainability, hunting, waahi tapu and engagement.

“This sort of kōrero is so valuable because at all levels, from the farm gate to the boardroom, we take the concept of ‘Toitū te whenua, Toitū te tangata’ very seriously – we work hard to help our people and land flourish together.”

Ensuring waahi tapu were protected across all farms is one of the components of the Kaitiakitanga Strategy presented at the last AGM.

“Many of our farms contain sacred areas like old pā sites, old tramping trails and other sites of significance. We have in place processes to ensure those sites are protected,” Whetu says.

More access to AWHI whenua for hunting deer, wild pig and goats was also another matter many shareholders were interested in.

“Board members present at the tour were able to inform shareholders that they had just re-established the AWHI Hunting Advisory Group which would be working on a plan to create more hunting opportunities for whānau wanting to gather kai,” says Whetu.

AWHI is always looking at new ways to improve and increase effective engagement with its shareholders and one example of this is turning the bi-annual farm tour into an annual event.

Whetu explained, “From this year on, the farm tour for shareholders will take place every year. We want to create more opportunities for whānau to reconnect with their whenua and to keep them updated every step of the way with the exciting work we are doing for their benefit.”

TOITŪ TE WHENUA