Whenua Magazine - Issue 22

HE- TANGATA KI TAHI LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH & SAFETY - A- 20 17 issue Paen ga-whAwh

22

PAYOUT SUNRISE

& GROWING OUR MĀTAURANGA WITH WHAREHOKA WANO

NICOLA NGAREWA – CREATING A NEW REALITY

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CONTENTS

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24

HE TANGATA

HE WHENUA

HE ORANGA

7 GROWING OUR MĀTAURANGA WITH WHAREHOKA WANO Taranaki Iwi General Manager Wharehoka Wano held an engaging discussion with PKW staff.

12 MERE – TRACKING HER DEVELOPMENT She’s now heavier than an All Black.

21 ‘WITH A CLEAR PURPOSE, CAPABILITY AND COURAGE, WE CAN SUCCEED’ Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi are drawing on the the past for their postsettlement future.

8 HALF-YEARLY MEETING NOTICE 9 HAERE RĀ LOUISE Leaving PKW is bittersweet for Louise Cook.

14 GETTING AHEAD OF THE CURVE Decisions made a year ago are now bearing fruit.

24 SERVING OUR SHAREHOLDERS The new Shareholder Engagement Team is focused on providing excellent value.

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FEATURES 4 HE TANGATA KĪ TAHI – LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH AND SAFETY PKW achieves tertiary status in ACC audit.

10 PAYOUT SUNRISE Things are looking good for our farms.

16 NICOLA NGAREWA - CREATING A NEW REALITY She could work anywhere in the world but this innovative educator has returned to Taranaki.

NGĀ PANUI Saturday 29 April PKW half-yearly meeting with shareholders.

Muru Raupatu Marae, Bell Block - 9:00am (full details on page 8)

COVER

Nicola Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngaa Rauru)

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EDITORIAL In the blink of an eye the first three months of 2017 have passed and I wonder where the time has gone. It has been a busy time and during my conversations I heard a whakatauki that reflected my thoughts perfectly – ‘Tēnā ko te toa mahi kai, e kore e pahake’ which means, ‘someone who works hard at growing food will not fail’.

“Tēnā ko te toa mahi kai, e kore e pahake”

The whānau at Parininihi ki Waitotara and the people I have met are not afraid of hard work and this issue contains stories of exactly that, hard work. Our feature acknowledges Nicola Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui) who, with the support of those around her, has infused inspiration and spirit into the Patea community – a stunning example of hard work. Another example is our recent success in achieving the highest status for workplace health and safety from ACC. This was achieved because of the leadership of the Committee of Management, the drive of our Health and Safety Manager and the commitment from the staff.

In this issue we also discuss the connection created between Wharehoka Wano (General Manager Taranaki Iwi) and the staff.

Wharehoka spoke to the team and shared his expectations of Parininihi ki Waitotara as the guardian of the whenua. This generated interest and questions from the staff who want to better understand the environment Parininihi ki Waitotara is part of. We are now nurturing this interest as key to achieving our vision and mission.

There are many more stories of our efforts, and I hope you enjoy this issue we have put together for you. But most importantly we invite you to the half-yearly meeting of shareholders scheduled for Saturday 29 April 2017. This hui will be hosted by Muru Raupatu Marae in Bell Block and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Mauri ora.

Nā, Warwick Tauwhare-George

WHENUA MAGAZINE

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA

iSTUDIOS MULTIMEDIA

Editor Warwick Tauwhare-George Deputy Editor Nick Maybury Creative Direction Sheree Anaru Photography Quentin Bedwell Graphic Design Dave Pope

Postal

PO Box 241, New Plymouth 4340 Physical 35 Leach Street, New Plymouth 4310 Tel +64 (6) 769 9373 Fax +64 (6) 757 4206 Email office@pkw.co.nz www.pkw.co.nz

Postal

2 | HE TANGATA

PO Box 8383, New Plymouth 4342 Physical 77B Devon Street East, New Plymouth 4310 Tel +64 (6) 758 1863 Email info@istudios.co.nz www.istudios.co.nz

Photo: Rob Tucker

Building capability, building business Small business is the heart of New Zealand’s economy, and nowhere is that more true than here in Taranaki.

Around 300 people attend Venture Taranaki’s regular business start-up clinics every year, and many more meet with our team of business advisors for help with growing their business. In addition to free and confidential business assessments, our team connects business people and entrepreneurs with the support they need to grow their skills and ultimately grow their businesses.

Small business owners need to be experts in everything; marketing, finance, business planning, HR, and even governance. Venture Taranaki has programmes available to help business people build the skills and expertise they need, including funding for capability development. This can range from an afternoon course to a six or twelve month programme with a dedicated business coach.

The NZTE Capability Development Voucher programme is a useful option for those already in business who need help in building their skillset.

The funding covers up to 50% of course fees, with a training provider chosen by the client. Eligible businesses must be currently trading, employ up to 50 people, be GST registered and privately owned or a Māori Trust or Incorporation under the Te Ture Whenua Māori Act 1993, or similar organisation managing Māori assets under multiple ownership.

Hundreds of businesses in Taranaki have already accessed this capability funding, and have had great results.

In addition to meeting the core criteria, businesses must be able to demonstrate a desire and capacity for growth, and the owners must be prepared to commit time and energy to improving their management capability.

Venture Taranaki also facilitates the Business Mentors New Zealand programme for the region. This is a volunteer programme that matches small business owners with experienced business people from within their own community, to provide support and guidance in the growth and development of their business.

To find out more about capability development vouchers, or the Business Mentors programme, contact Venture Taranaki Senior Business Advisor Jennifer Patterson on 06 7595166 or email jennifer@venture.org.nz.

Venture

TARANAKI Te Puna Umanga

An initiative of the New Plymouth District Council

Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency | 9 Robe Street, New Plymouth | T: 06 759 5150 | info@venture.org.nz | www.taranaki.info |3

HE TANGATA KĪ TAHI – LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH AND SAFETY We are pleased to announce that the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has awarded Parininihi ki Waitotara tertiary status following its Workplace Safety Management Practices audit.

The audit determined that PKW is demonstrating ‘a commitment to continuous improvement in workplace health and safety’ [H&S]. The excellent result brings a 20% reduction in PKW’s ACC levy.

“This success is a credit to the team, ably led by our Health and Safety

4 | HE TANGATA

Manager Bronwyn MacFarlane,” says Chief Executive (CE) Warwick Tauwhare-George.

“It’s also important to acknowledge the Committee of Management for its leadership and former CE Dion Tuuta who led this kaupapa previously.

Together we have stood united in

keeping everyone in our whānau safe.”

“Ensuring that everyone gets home to their loved ones is personal to me and will forever remain the driving force behind our H&S strategy.”

According to Workplace New Zealand, nearly 40% of all fatal workplace

accidents in Aotearoa take place in agriculture and PKW is doing everything possible to ensure it does not add to this statistic.

With a vision of He tangata, he whenua, he oranga; health and safety starts and finishes with the people. While policies and processes are helpful to create a safe work place, it all comes down to people demonstrating the right attitude and making a real commitment.

Changing attitudes and organisational culture takes time, and there is still evidence of a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude across the agriculture industry.

put in controls to minimise the risk.”

“And if this doesn’t happen and someone is hurt or worse, a fatality occurs, then we will be accountable legally and morally. For so many reasons there is no room for ‘she’ll be right’ attitudes at any Parininihi ki Waitotara workplace.”

nature and embedded in the PKW culture.

Bronwyn adds: “It’s also crucial that

we are able to evaluate and manage

the risk before an accident occurs. It enables us to be preventative rather than reactive.” These learnings are shared across all farms.

Monthly reporting Every PKW farm, including the office, must report at least three event recordings each month.

“At Parininihi ki Waitotara we are addressing this in many ways,” says H&S Manager Bronwyn MacFarlane.

An event recording could be anything health and safety related like a broken fence latch, loose corrugated iron, low hanging branches or a broken hose reel. The list is endless.

“For example, as the employer we must eliminate all significant risks and if we can’t, we must isolate the risk. If isolation isn’t practicable then we must

The theory behind the practice is to become unconsciously competent in identifying and reporting health and safety issues, so it becomes second

“Ensuring that everyone gets home to their loved ones is personal to me and will forever remain the driving force behind our health and safety strategy.”

Warwick Tauwhare-George

Bronwyn (second from the left) discussing the life saver rules with contract milkers Pip and Trent Oliver (far left and right) accompanied by Shane Miles (Dairy Operations Manager)

HE TANGATA | 5

The team discussing how to minimise the risk of an exposed ladder to a milk vat.

Another way PKW is trying to embed a H&S culture is through the adoption of Life Saver rules. These rules came out of the 2016 Farms Conference where staff talked and agreed on six rules that represented how a safe Parininihi ki Waitotara kaimahi behaves.

These rules are a commitment the kaimahi made firstly to themselves and then to each other. It was this thinking that led to PKW adopting the phrase ‘He Tangata Kī Tahi’.

He tangata kī tahi is a person in Parininihi ki Waitotara who stands by what they say and does what’s right to keep him or herself safe and others safe, because their word matters.

‘Visible leadership and engagement of all PKW whānau in H&S is crucial for our ongoing success,” says Warwick.

“Without everyone’s commitment it will simply be a process, not a culture.

“Our health and safety improvements have been a huge team effort and I am so proud of what we have achieved so far. The people are what make this journey so special!”

LIFESAVER

RULES he tangata kī tahi He Tangata Kī Tahi is a person who stands by what they say, and these lifesaver rules represent our commitment to do what’s right to keep ourselves and each other safe.

We need to be Tangata Kī Tahi; people whose word matters.

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1. I will always wear the correct safety gear, for the job I am doing.

2. I will always be drug and alcohol free at work and make sure I am fit for work physically and mentally.

3. I will always use the right vehicle for the task and the right tool for the job.

4. I will be aware that livestock I am handling are unpredictable.

5. I will always ensure children on farm are under my direct and continuous supervision, as children are precious.

6. I will always care for and show respect to my work mates (people), animals and the environment.

GROWING OUR MĀTAURANGA WITH WHAREHOKA WANO The kaupapa of Parininihi ki Waitotara holds great meaning for many and carries the hopes and the heartache of Taranaki Māori.

This powerful message was amongst knowledge shared by Taranaki Iwi General Manager Wharehoka Wano at the PKW Kaimahi Day, held last November on Whakaahurangi Marae in Stratford.

The bi-annual hui is a rare chance for PKW staff to gather and discuss kaupapa that affect everyone in the organisation. This includes trying to understand Māori history and aspirations, and the barriers that have impeded our success.

the whenua and the people.

Furthermore the name ‘Parininihi ki Waitotara’, is one that came from the Māori community and is a geographical marker that runs from the White Cliffs near Pukearuhe (Ngāti Tama), also known as Parininihi, to Waitotara (Ngaa Rauru) in the south.

The PKW name and logo are well recognised by Taranaki Māori and the organisation holds great meaning, Whareoka explained.

He also talked about the cultural relationship Māori have with the It was this kaupapa that led PKW to invite Wharehoka (Taranaki, Te Atiawa, whenua, and how this connection is separate to a legal title. While Ngāti Awa to the hui to talk with staff Parininihi ki Waitotara holds the title for from an iwi perspective. the whenua in its care, before this and During an engaging discussion, the confiscations, whānau and hapū Wharehoka explained how history had were the kaitiaki of that land. This is ensured that PKW is forever woven evident by the names that were given into the landscape and shares its to the whenua, waterways, hills and so history with Taranaki Māori because of forth. It is also evident by the stories

connected to wāhi tapu and ancient sites that still bear the visible signs of their former use.

Wharehoka encouraged PKW staff to ask themselves ‘do we know the stories of the land we farm, before the land became PKW whenua?’ For many the answer is kāore and this should make us question how we can grow our knowledge and better understand the history of the whenua we farm.

“...do we know the stories of the land we farm, before the land became PKW whenua?”

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PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA INCORPORATION HALF-YEARLY GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the half-yearly meeting of Shareholders will be held at Muru Raupatu Marae, Te Arei Road, West, Bell Block, Taranaki on Saturday 29 April 2017.

9.00am 10.00am

Pōwhiri and registrations Meeting commences

BUSINESS:

• • •

Apologies Presentation on performance to 31 December 2016 General Business

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA TRUST HALF-YEARLY GENERAL MEETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT the half-yearly meeting of Beneficiaries will be held immediately following the meeting of the PKW Incorporation.

BUSINESS:

• • •

Presentation on performance to 31 December 2016 Presentations from Trust recipients General Business

Warwick Tauwhare-George SECRETARY

PKW Shareholder Farm Tour A bus tour of a nearby PKW farm is being organised following the half-yearly meeting. Those shareholders wishing to visit the farm need to book a seat by contacting Aimee at the PKW office by 14 April 2016.

P 0800 759 462 E office@pkw.co.nz The tour is dependent on bookings.

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“Parininihi ki Waitotara has an incredibly positive future and I know the business is in very safe hands.”

HAERE RĀ LOUISE Tēnā ko te toa mahi kai e kore e pahake’.

This whakataukī explains that ‘a warrior who works hard at growing food will not fail’ – a fitting acknowledgement of Louise Cook, General Manager Ahuwhenua who has left PKW for a new challenge.

Louise is the new Demonstration Manager at Owl Farm in Cambridge, a move that has taken her closer to her whānau in Clevedon, South Auckland.

Louise joined PKW at an especially challenging time when the milk price had dropped to its lowest point in 10 years. As a result her biggest challenge and first priority was to lead a complex and critical review of the farms business and how it operated.

Like all good leaders she is quick

to acknowledge the contribution of others. “When times are tough you’re forced to dig deep to create new solutions and that’s what the people in the farms business did,” she says.

“They set about changing anything and everything to make the business more resilient. It was hard work but we now have a more stable business platform moving forward, and I’m proud to have been part of this.”

Louise is also proud of how quickly and effectively the people in our farms business responded to new information, systems and processes. The growth in capability in the Ahuwhenua team has been phenomenal and she acknowledges

the remarkable people in this group and across the organisation.

Louise adds: “The direction of the farming business going forward will be to continue to critically evaluate how the business runs. It will also be vital to make decisions, with a long-term view, that result in world class health and safety, environmental kaupapa, animal welfare and stable profits.”

While her time with Parininihi ki Waitotara has been short, her legacy will be a lasting and significant shift in profitability.

Leaving is bittersweet and Louise acknowledges that there is still much to achieve. She is grateful for the opportunity to have worked for PKW, learn about the kaupapa and build relationships with an amazing group of people.

“Parininihi ki Waitotara has an incredibly positive future and I know the business is in very safe hands,” she says.

“Shareholders can continue to feel confident in how their business is being managed by the whānau.”

“It was an honour. Kia ora.”

HE TANGATA | 9

PAYOUT SUNRISE After a long cold night, the sun is beginning to rise for the farming business.

With an expected yield of almost 2.7 million kilograms of milk solids in the current financial year, PKW is well placed to benefit from the increased Fonterra payout of $6 per kilogram milk solids (/kgMS).

Since the start of the financial year, the dairy payout has increased by $1.75/kgMS – welcome respite after two years of reduced payouts that have been challenging to say the least.

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While payout fluctuations affect dairy farms throughout New Zealand, there is little our farmers can do to influence them. Nearly every other milk-producing country produces more than New Zealand, while consuming most of its product domestically. In contrast, we consume 10% locally and export 90%, which equates to a massive 33% of the international milk trade.

This means the price paid for our milk is at the mercy of global prices, which fell in recent years thanks to three

significant events affecting supply and demand: 1: A global shortage of milk. Three to four years ago there was

an international milk shortage

that created a demand frenzy.

Countries, particularly in Asia,

started stockpiling milk and by

2014 the global price had risen.

Since then demand has decreased and the introduction to the market of previously stockpiled milk has seen prices fall significantly.

“...we’re hopeful that the current stated milk price of $6.00/kgMS will be maintained and paid in full.”

2: Trade restrictions. During this period trade restrictions led to Russia not buying any milk from the global market, creating a global over-supply that helped push prices down.

3: Strong global supply. In the last two years, there has been a strong supply of milk from other countries, upsetting the balance of supply and demand. Most of the big milk producers in the world have been spared the natural weather events that can derail milk production.

In addition, quota and incentive programmes that control milk volumes in the European Union have been removed.

years ago became depleted. Tough spring conditions in New Zealand also contributed to a reduction in supply.

The combination of all three events resulted in fewer people buying milk and the shelves overflowing with product – too much supply and not enough demand.

Consequently global milk prices are 65% higher than 12 months ago and profits for PKW Farms are likely to be the best we have seen for a number of years.

Things have since shifted. The low payouts influenced some farmers, particularly in New Zealand and Europe, to sell cows and produce less milk, while stockpiles from two

Therefore we’re hopeful that the current stated milk price of $6.00/ kgMS will be maintained and paid in full.

HE WHENUA | 11

PKW Kaimahi, Jocelyn Richards sharing a moment with Mere, a PKW star.

Mere – Tracking her development

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Mere’s moomerings Kia Ora Tātou, Well, things have changed a lot since I last got to share my kōrero with you.

I was supposed to leave before Christmas, with my sisters and cousins, and have an adventure on another PKW farm near Inglewood but I’m still in Matapu with Irene, Derek and Jocelyn.

We get weighed every month and only the biggest calves leave. I haven’t been among the biggest so far so I’ll stay here at PKW Farm 1, with 29 other calves for another four months.

It has been a busy few months on the farm.

Every day our caregivers check us over, move us to fresh grass and refill our feed bins with hay and pellets. It has rained a lot, so our grass is still really tasty and lush, but I like the sunny days best when we have fun running around the paddock.

Lots of things have happened over the last three months to keep us safe while we live outside.

Drenches are common. They don’t taste the best but apparently we need them to stay healthy – paddocks are a common place for parasites, and we eat these too when we chew on the grass.

Some of my friends got sick from eating bugs in the grass. There were more bugs than usual because of all rain we’ve had. The calves got better quickly thanks to some antibiotics.

We also had a pour-on drench to get rid of nasty, itchy lice that live in our coats and finally we’ve had some vaccinations to protect us from common diseases.

It seems a very busy job to keep calves healthy and Irene makes sure all our records are kept in a diary so she knows when our next treatment is due.

The upside of us being healthy is that I’m getting bigger – by about 0.7kg every day! My last weigh in was on March 10 and I was 169kg. I’m now bigger than most of the All Blacks but I’m only just over 25% of my goal weight – better get back to my kai!

My life on the farm and my impressive weight of 169kg.

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GETTING AHEAD OF THE C

“Decisions made a year ago are now bearing fruit,” says former General Manager Ahuwhenua – Farms Louise Cook.

Those decisions were made necessary by the challenges faced by agri-business in recent years.

E

At the beginning of March the farms had spent about $1 million less than the previous year, with plenty of silage in the pātaka to provide a good harvest for the final quarter of 2016/17.

RV

The ability to adapt to challenging conditions is paying off handsomely as PKW farms approach the end of the financial year in great shape.

U

there was a large impact on the value of dairy cows – last year alone they dropped by 29% per animal.”

much milk as we’d hoped for during

Ultimately this meant that milking fewer cows, and buying less feed from outside of the farm gate, would minimise the farms’ exposure to risk.

good thing, promoting grass growth

Louise adds: “This took away a number of costs, like feeding surplus cows, mating them, spending money on health and rearing extra young stock to replace them every year.”

October and November, the rain kept falling into December and became a and enabling some great silage production,” explains Louise.

Kind summer rain, a higher dairy payout, a sizeable recovery in

livestock values and PKW’s changes

to its farming operation, have certainly reduced the impact of the spring

“With the prolonged low dairy payout we made large changes to the farms to provide a more resilient and lowercost farming system,” adds Louise.

challenges. The farms are now in a Of course it also meant the farms healthy position. would produce less milk. And poor weather in late spring added to the fall “This is a great outcome for everyone in production. connected to PKW as we move into

“The whole industry struggled during this time, and on top of the low payout

But things turned around as the rain continued. “While we didn’t make as

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the last part of the financial year and our annual results,” says Louise.

Daily milk collected

Jun

Jul

Aug Sept

Oct

Nov

Previous Season

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

This Season

HE WHENUA | 15

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NICOLA NGAREWA, CREATING A NEW REALITY NGĀTI RUANUI, NGAA RAURU KIITAHI

A Google search on Nicola Ngarewa produces plentiful results. Numerous articles connect her to the Sir Peter Blake Trust, the GovernorGeneral, the Education Council and recently named the 2016 Taranaki Daily News Person of the Year.

With such an impressive career, the Pātea Area School principal could work anywhere in the world. But while her decision to return home in 2016 was a challenge for her colleagues in the Hawke’s Bay, it made absolute sense to her whānau and the Pātea community that nurtured her.

When 43-year-old Nicola talks about

her parents a deep look of joy settles on her face. ”My dad is Māori and mum’s Irish so whānau times were always a lot of fun,” she recalls. “They instilled in us a strong sense of whānau and service to the community.”

That service is exemplified well by the Ngarewa whānau. Nicola’s brother HE ORANGA | 17

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Nicola and tauira from Patea Area School where learning organised into knowledge hubs attracting students keen on the subject

Darren works for Rauru Kiitahi, an iwi nursery based at Waioturi Marae and he also runs a dojo in Pātea. Tuakana Debbie is the CEO for Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui, a role filled with positive challenges and opportunities.

Nicola, who won a Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award for her work as principal at Napier’s Tamatea High School, is quick to attribute such accolades to the people around her.

done at an entirely different level than just looking good.”

“The rangatahi decision to hold a ball was a reminder to never assume you know what rangatahi want, and that they have the right to shape their own journey no matter what they choose,” says Nicola. The school has now created a roving wardrobe for other schools and can provide whatever prom-wear their students need.

As principal Nicola is proud of her team and the innovative curriculum they have developed to cater for their students. Every second Friday “Also, really listening to the community the school runs a programme called is essential if you’re going to make a ‘Get your good on’ where they help at real difference, says Nicola, because local rest homes and other community the Pātea community know exactly kaupapa. what they need.” When the school This ultimately led to students helping asked its rangatahi what they wanted at an orphanage in Suva, Fiji for a as a senior treat, they expected couple of weeks. Nicola says: “Seeing requests to visit Rainbow’s End and were surprised by a desire to hold the our rangatahi mingle, smile and laugh with other rangatahi in difficult first school ball in 25 years. situations helped them realise that The response across Aotearoa – everyone has something to give.” including offers of hair, makeup, “Aotearoa is a country that regardless photographers and corsages – was of race, religion or socio-economic overwhelming and made the event background, it’s possible for our magical for the rangatahi, their rangatahi to be whatever they want to whānau and the wider community. be. And our rangatahi are starting to “The level of giving was truly humbling understand this.” and the students learned that it’s okay NCEA is not the end point for Nicola to receive, but you must always give and the team at Pātea Area School. back,” says Nicola.

Their focus is to create experiences Receiving the donations was where students are learning along the emotional for the students, as well way. The team are especially proud as for those who did the giving. One of the innovative way they deliver young lady donor had a car accident their curriculum. One example is the night before the ball and could no offering a flexible timetable for senior longer walk. Another young man had students who have part-time jobs. “It’s two suits tailor made but his brother important to fit the curriculum around passed away before they had the them so they can participate,” says opportunity to wear them.

Nicola.

“Awards belong to a wider group of people because no one reaches the podium alone,” she says.

Nicola recalls: “People were giving a part of themselves and when our rangatahi selected their outfits, it was

Pātea students can select sections of the curriculum they need for their pathway. A student who wants to work HE ORANGA | 19

“ The real solution is having a mindset that you are the solution, which means you must do everything possible to find ways to safeguard the students and their futures.” in business picked financial literacy, tourism and hospitality for example, while another who wants to study the arts elected not to take subjects like science, maths and biology. As a small school, Pātea can design learning around its students.

Unusually the school has no bells to alert students when school starts and finishes and when to move between subjects. Learning is self-directed with an emphasis on an enquiry-based model.

Personalisation is key and Nicola is clear that the model she helped implement at Tamatea High School in Napier is very different to the Pātea model, and that there is no magic bullet to addressing Māori achievement.

“At Pātea Area School we want to be an innovative, 21st-century school that prepares our young people to be the leaders of the future beyond our school gates. This involves connecting them to the world without leaving home.”

“The real solution is having a mindset that you are the solution, which means you must do everything possible to find ways to safeguard the students and their futures,” she explains.

Nicola’s father, Jim Ngarewa, is a PKW shareholder and she acknowledges the significant contribution to learning achieved through the PKW Trust.

This mindset also includes an absolute Nicola explains: “Currently the passion for education and a sense of students are studying the ocean. For some this involves an in-depth enquiry urgency. “Our rangatahi deserve the into anti-sea bed mining, a hot topic in absolute best from us,” she adds. our community. For others it involves Nicola says it’s an exciting time for how to help reduce ocean-based Aotearoa education with changes pollution.” being introduced by the Ministry of Education. She also believes the With this type of flexibility students understand there are no bells in the sector must embrace the challenges real world, and it’s all about being self- and opportunities this brings. directed.

Adding to this flexibility, students gather in hubs instead of classrooms, which means learning alongside a mix of ages. “At work or university our students will work with people of all ages – we are trying to mirror the real world,” says Nicola.

Nicola supports the opportunities the New Zealand curriculum provides that allows schools to innovate. “The real change is the change in mindset, and that we are the solutions,” she says.

Every Wednesday, the staff has in-depth professional learning to practise the enquiry-based model they promote. They actively seek different models and solutions locally, nationally and internationally that they can personalise for a Pātea fit.

“We’ve borrowed lots of great ideas,” admits Nicola. “I wish we could say we invented it all but we didn’t!”

20 | HE ORANGA

“We have a responsibility to do everything we can to make sure our rangatahi fulfil their aspirations,” she says.

Nicola is certain that a collective approach represents the best way forward: “Seventy per cent of secondary students don’t progress to tertiary education. What more could we do, and what more could PKW do, to help them succeed?”

Senior students of Patea Area School with tamariki from an orphanage in Suva, Fiji.

‘WITH A CLEAR PURPOSE, CAPABILITY AND COURAGE, WE CAN SUCCEED’ ME TŌNGAI HARAKEKE E TE IWI Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi are entering a new era guided by the inspirational kōrero of their tūpuna.

HE ORANGA | 21

Te Whiti o Rongomai believed that his people must unite in the face of great adversity, and this is reflected strongly in the iwi’s vision ‘Me tongai harakeke’.

It is a call to action that draws on the unique nature of Taranaki Iwi whenua, the abundance of harakeke and its resilient and resourceful properties. It’s also a meaningful statement for a people who have suffered some of the worst historical grievances at the hands of the Crown, yet are still here today.

So how, in the postsettlement environment, can Taranaki Iwi use this inspiration to build a better future?

New Tumu Whakarito/ General Manager, Wharehoka Wano (Taranaki Iwi, Te Atiawa, Ngāti Awa) is very aware of the efforts and sacrifices of his Taranaki Iwi tūpuna. It is their courage and capability that drives today’s purpose of Taranaki Iwi, he says.

“Our purpose is deeply steeped in our kōrero tūpuna and encourages us to be a resilient, versatile, dynamic iwi body that inspires success and intergenerational growth. We can only achieve this through strong, clear and confident leadership.”

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Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi have all of the strategic priorities you would expect from a settled iwi ready to launch into future development: Represent the iwi Represent and act in the best interests of Taranaki Iwi. Manage the assets Ensure commercial activities are governed and managed appropriately to grow the iwi’s assets.

Administer benefits That sustainable distributions are made to support the cultural and commercial growth of Taranaki Iwi. Wharehoka is driven by values-based leadership, believing that Taranaki Iwi will achieve its strategic priorities by treating relationships with care, persistence, honesty and integrity. ‘Kia rongomou, kia manawanui, kia aroha ki te tangata, kia tika, kia pono’.

Alongside the wider tribal network, Taranaki Iwi have an opportunity post-settlement to grow their assets but more importantly to develop the capacity of their people. ‘He tangata, he tangata, he tangata’.

The iwi’s whakataukī tūpuna continue to guide them in the present.

Represent the iwi Represent and act in the best interests of Taranaki Iwi.

Manage the assets Ensure commercial activities are governed and managed appropriately to grow the iwi’s assets.

Administer benefits That sustainable distributions are made to support the cultural and commercial growth of Taranaki Iwi.

kōrero tūpuna persevere whakapapa courage relationships success ‘Whakakorikori te iwi’, ‘Whakaraupō e te “Agriculture and working the gardens iwi’ – bringing the people together so

was a peaceful activity that forced

Wharehoka’s main principle of

order to survive. It is from there that

they feel heard and valued is

people to work together in unison in

be grown and that is a job for us all as the wider iwi community, guided by us as Te Kāhui o Taranaki Iwi and the operational team.

leadership. He drives clear and regular they developed their strategy of

As he approaches the first anniversary of her passing, Wharehoka is reminded and pā level to ensure Taranaki Iwi of his mother Mākere’s ease in creating After a 30-year career in educating people are well informed. students and adults, Wharehoka brings long-lasting relationships, without fear of confronting conflict when she felt Even with difficult kōrero, conversations his most valuable observation into his trust had been compromised. should continue, says Wharehoka. “We current role. “I have learnt that people communications at the hapū, marae

passive resistance, ‘Kia rongomau’.”

need to persevere and have courage.

need to be valued, that the personal

kākahu ko te manawanui.”

professional, and that connections and

Ko te waka ko te maungārongo, ko te The vision statement ‘Me Tōngai

Harakeke’ was adapted in the times of Te Whiti o Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi - “a period where our prophets encouraged our people to be

industrious and to live in peace,” says Wharehoka.

conversations are as important as the whakapapa require us to treat each

other well even when we don’t agree,”

“‘Kia tika, kia pono’ and ‘Mahia te mahi’ were my Mum’s mantras and I can only follow her lead to the best of my ability,” he says.

“Leadership requires us to be courageous and innovative, to learn Wharehoka is clear that the purpose for from our past and step confidently into the iwi must be evident to all: “To the future. We know what success for succeed, it needs to be clear and well our people looks like – we just have to signposted,” he says. “Capability can create it.” he explains. “Kia aroha ki te tangata.’”

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SERVING OUR SHAREHOLDERS Creating the best possible value for shareholders is the goal of the new structure in new structure of the PKW Shareholder Engagement Team.

With new staff members Aimee Morell and Adrian Poa on board, the team aims to build on the progress of recent years under the guidance of General Manager Allie Hemara-Wahanui.

reception and is the first point

Aimee (Te Atiawa) manages

team and PKW as whole.

24 | HE ORANGA

of contact for everyone who

connects with PKW whether in

person, by telephone or email.

She also provides much needed

administration support for both the

Adrian (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou) has a background in community development having left the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) to join PKW. Prior to DIA, Adrian worked for the Māori Land Court in Whanganui and brings a strong understanding of the court’s

New members of the team; Adrian Poa Shareholder Advisor and Aimee Morell Administrative Assistant.

processes around Māori land and succession.

growing our cultural capability,” Allie says.

General Manager Allie has overall responsibility for the team; her role includes serving shareholders, maintaining relationships with other stakeholders and managing the PKW Trust.

Two of PKW’s four values – manaakitanga and whanaungatanga – strike a particular chord for the shareholder engagement team. “Caring for the shareholders, the wider community, about each other and the PKW whānau is important to us,” says Allie.

The new structure followed the departure last year of long-serving Shareholder Registrar Nedina Hohaia who left PKW to spend more time with her whānau.

Allie says: “When Nedina joined PKW the shareholder register was managed by another organisation.

It was manual and dividends were paid by cheque.”

“So much has changed since then.

With Nedina’s help we moved the register to a database and ran a campaign asking shareholders to send in their bank-verified account details and ID.” “Building the database was no easy task and maintaining it is also a challenge. Shareholders can help us, and themselves, by letting us know of new contact and banking information if these change in the future.”

Within PKW, the team is playing an important role in growing organisational cultural knowledge.

“We might never compete at Manu Kōrero or Te Matatini, but as an organisation we’re sincere about

“We are committed to working with others, building relationships and achieving better outcomes together.”

The other two PKW values are whakapono and kaitiakitanga. At PKW whakapono is described as upholding tikanga and believing in our future, and for this team it’s a licence to integrate tikanga into their mahi and throughout PKW. Doing this brings in a Taranaki Māori view for a richer conversation.

Kaitiakitanga is about leadership in sustainability and is probably the most challenging value for this team. “For many, the fragmentation of shares has made dividends too small to have a financial value,” says Allie.

“This new team are motivated by the PKW values that guide how they will serve the shareholders and the Taranaki Maori community which is an ongoing conversation.”

He mihi aroha ki a koe Nedina mo tou mahi rangatira kei Parininihi ki Waitotara.

Tena koe.

HE ORANGA | 25

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