He papa, he tupu, he ora - PKW strategy refresh signals a new wave of opportunities

People and a sense of place are at the heart of Rautaki 2033, PKW’s refreshed strategic vision that will navigate the organisation through the growing challenges and opportunities to come.

Operational excellence and sustainability are also key for a strategy that provides the blueprint for a proud kaupapa-led, diversified and resilient business that has prosperity of its people and whenua at its core.

“Helping Te Rau Titikura, their whānau and Taranaki Māori to thrive is the driving force behind this reset,” says Dion Tuuta, Te Rau Toi Ariki / Chair of PKW Board. “This is our purpose, along with the need to protect our whenua tūpuna and build the wealth to enrich future generations.

“Our values of Manaakitanga, Katiakitanga, Whakapono and Whanaungatanga/Kotahitanga remain steadfast, and our mission and vision of He Tāngata, He Whenua, He Oranga continue to guide us.

“We are not a faceless corporation, we are a family-owned business that operates true to its values and the legacy of our tūpuna, but we need commercial discipline and focus in order to deliver on the expectations of our Te Rau Titikura.”

Today’s business world is ever-changing, with export markets affected by political instability and regulatory impacts.

“Diversification has long been a watchword for us, and now the need to mitigate the risks our current portfolio is subject to has become more pressing,” says Dion. “While we will continue to optimise and diversify our agri-focus operations, we will also be looking to our core asset, our whenua, to support our strategic activities as we explore

new investment opportunities in food and fibre, property, and renewable energy. This will enable us to build a more balanced Papatupu (portfolio) that makes the business more resilient in a rapidly changing world.”

The foundation of the business will always be its whakapapa and whenua tūpuna, and by bringing together the potential of land, people, and partnerships, with a focus on operational excellence, wealth creation, and sustainability, the mission ‘To be a successfully diversified and sustainable Taranaki Māori owned and operated business providing meaningful opportunity to our people’ is an achievable one.

“We do not define prosperity in merely financial terms. This strategy will deliver Te Rau Titikura vital cultural, social, and environmental returns as well,” explains Dion.

“One example of this is our focus on developing our people by attracting, retaining, developing, and supporting kaimahi from our shareholder whānau, upholding tūpuna kōrero, reo, tikanga, identity and connection for the business, those who work with us, and Taranaki Māori as a whole.

“Collaboration founded in shared values will bring about local impact with a global reach. Many of our Te Rau Titikura, customers and partners are located outside of Taranaki and this will be crucial to our diversification and long-term success.”

The reset kaupapa of He Papa, He Tupu, He Ora – Legacy, Growth, Prosperity– brings a sense of place for PKW, with People, Partnership and Performance as central tenets and drivers, with Papatupu, the portfolio of actively and passively managed whenua, resources, and investments, at the foundation.

“The considerations and kōrero we have had as a Board, and with our Te Rau Matomato, Aisha Ross, while refreshing and resetting our strategic approach for the business have been extremely valuable,” says Dion. “We know who we are, and where we stand, the legacy of our tūpuna urging us on to a future that benefits future generations. This is a continuation of a journey that has already started for us.”

A series of roadshows are being planned for April to enable Te Rau Titikura to speak directly with Board members and Te Rau Manawanui / Executive Leadership team about their thoughts and aspirations for the organisation.

(For more information on the roadshows See pg.16)