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CELEBRATING THE NEW WHARE

&RIPO TAUTAHI

WHĀNAU TRUST

AHUWHENUA MANAGER

APPOINTED

FORTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

SHAREHOLDER SURVEY FINDINGS

1 9 7 6 - 2 0 1 6 C e l e b r a t i n g 4 0 Y e a r s o f P a r i n i n i h i k i W a i t o t a r a

VentureTARANAKITe Puna Umanga

Strengthening our links to the land

Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency 9 Robe Street, New Plymouth, 06 759 5150, info@venture.org.nz

www.taranaki.info

Photo: Rob Tucker

There can be no doubt that things are tough across our rural economy as it is impacted by global commodity prices beyond the control of our region. While there is no easy response to this, we are actively seeking opportunities to broaden our economic base, and in doing so could further strengthen our connection to the land.

In mid-February Venture Taranaki hosted a conference in Hawera to look at the future of the mānuka honey industry, and what opportunities it could hold for our region’s future.

More than 370 people from around the nation attended the event, which presented a range of voices from across and alongside the industry, all seeking to help grow the value of New Zealand’s honey exports from $285 million last year - up from $36 million a decade ago, and just $10 million a decade before that. This growth has been driven largely by the increased demand and premium price paid for mānuka honey in global markets.

Beyond direct earnings, mānuka could hold further potential through adding value to our primary sector. It can do this by making smarter use of marginal land and being part of an export sector where New Zealand already has a global advantage.

Of the many conversations at the event, one of the most compelling focused on the role that Māori land can play in helping grow this industry, and the returns it can deliver to our region’s Māori economy.

As Taranaki’s cornerstone industries are forced to confront global price shifts, a strong argument is emerging for mānuka to utilise marginal land and help diversify our economic base, building resilience against future price fluctuations.

The team at Venture Taranaki also acknowledge and congratulate Parininihi ki Waitotara on their move into the new building that can better meet the needs and aspirations of the organisation into the future. Venture Taranaki has been co-located with Dion and the PkW team for several years, and we have really appreciated their friendship and wise counsel in growing the Taranaki economy. We look forward to continuing to work with PkW to grow the fortunes of our region and our communities.

For more information on the Mānuka 2016 event, talk to Venture Taranaki now on 06 759 5150 or info@venture.org.nz.

An initiative of the New Plymouth District Council

I MPORTANT NOT I C ES

ED ITOR IAL

“...we celebrate the opening of our new offi ces, something

we believe is a refl ection of their

vision...”

Key Dates for 2016

Saturday 30 April

PKW half yearly meeting

with shareholders.

Puniho Pā, Okato 9:00am

Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutou te whānau whanui o Parininihi ki Waitotara.

Recognising we have been in existence for four decades requires acknowledging the important contribution our previous leadership made in pioneering our journey back from desolation to where we are today.

In this issue we start with the fi rst decade recognising leaders like Charles Bailey and others who led the establishment of PKW and were part of the inaugural committee. It seems apt we do that as we celebrate the opening of our new offi ces, something we believe is a refl ection of their vision and aspiration for our people.

When I fi rst started with PKW in 2008, we operated from a two-roomed offi ce at the back of Staples Rodway and now our new offi ces demonstrate not only our resilience, but also our growth. That growth is refl ected in our internal team structures as we update our readers on the formation of our largest team, Ahuwhenua, which manages our core farming businesses.

Our recent shareholder survey also provides more evidence of the ongoing expectations we must manage especially in relation to fragmentation of shares and though this take has remained relevant throughout our existence we fi nd the common thread of managing our land ourselves remains ever prevalent.

Ngā mihi

I MPORTANT NOT I C ES

Farm Training 2016 If you have whānau interested

in training, contact Tania on

0800 trainme (872466).

Landbased Training are

recruiting now for the Level 2

and 4 farm training, based on PKW farms. Māori and Pasifi ka scholarships

available to eligible students.

VentureTARANAKITe Puna Umanga

Strengthening our links to the land

Taranaki’s Regional Development Agency 9 Robe Street, New Plymouth, 06 759 5150, info@venture.org.nz

www.taranaki.info

Photo: Rob Tucker

There can be no doubt that things are tough across our rural economy as it is impacted by global commodity prices beyond the control of our region. While there is no easy response to this, we are actively seeking opportunities to broaden our economic base, and in doing so could further strengthen our connection to the land.

In mid-February Venture Taranaki hosted a conference in Hawera to look at the future of the mānuka honey industry, and what opportunities it could hold for our region’s future.

More than 370 people from around the nation attended the event, which presented a range of voices from across and alongside the industry, all seeking to help grow the value of New Zealand’s honey exports from $285 million last year - up from $36 million a decade ago, and just $10 million a decade before that. This growth has been driven largely by the increased demand and premium price paid for mānuka honey in global markets.

Beyond direct earnings, mānuka could hold further potential through adding value to our primary sector. It can do this by making smarter use of marginal land and being part of an export sector where New Zealand already has a global advantage.

Of the many conversations at the event, one of the most compelling focused on the role that Māori land can play in helping grow this industry, and the returns it can deliver to our region’s Māori economy.

As Taranaki’s cornerstone industries are forced to confront global price shifts, a strong argument is emerging for mānuka to utilise marginal land and help diversify our economic base, building resilience against future price fluctuations.

The team at Venture Taranaki also acknowledge and congratulate Parininihi ki Waitotara on their move into the new building that can better meet the needs and aspirations of the organisation into the future. Venture Taranaki has been co-located with Dion and the PkW team for several years, and we have really appreciated their friendship and wise counsel in growing the Taranaki economy. We look forward to continuing to work with PkW to grow the fortunes of our region and our communities.

For more information on the Mānuka 2016 event, talk to Venture Taranaki now on 06 759 5150 or info@venture.org.nz.

An initiative of the New Plymouth District Council

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA INCORPORATIONHALF-YEARLY GENERAL MEETING

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA TRUSTHALF-YEARLY GENERAL MEETING

BUSINESS: • Presentation on performance to 31 December 2015 • Scholar presentation • General Business

Notice is hereby given that the half-yearly meeting of Shareholders will be held at Puniho Pā, South Road, Okato, Taranaki, on Saturday 30 April 2016.

9.00am Pōwhiri and registrations10.00am Meeting commences

BUSINESS: • Apologies • Presentation on performance to 31 December 2015 • General Business

Notice is hereby given that the half-yearly meeting of Benefi ciaries will be held immediately following the meeting of the PKW Incorporation.

RSVP: HALF-YEARLY MEETINGFor catering purposes please RSVP before the hui. Please note, there is no farm tour after this meeting.

RSVPs to be sent to the PKW O� ce by email to o� ce@pkw.co.nz or by telephone to 0800 759 462.

2 |

| 3

WHENUA MAGAZINE

Editor Dion TuutaDeputy Editor Amokura PanohoCreative Direction Sheree AnaruPhotography Quentin BedwellGraphic Design Dave Pope

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA

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

ISTUDIOS MULTIMEDIA

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

CONTENTS

04

10

20

23

26

27

30

32

HE ORANGA

SHAREHOLDERS & WHANAU TRUSTS

Meet the Ripo Tautahi Whānau Trust

EXCELLENCE IN TARANAKI ART

Introducing PKW Trust grant recipient Vallance Wrathall

TARANAKI TU MAI

A pictorial of the November 2015 event

04 10

20 23

27 30

HE TANGATA

FORTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

Whānau members share recollections

CELEBRATING THE NEW WHARE

A dawn ceremony heralds the official opening of the new PKW building

SHAREHOLDER SURVEY RESULTS

A breakdown of the responses from shareholders

HE WHENUA

AHUWHENUA TEAM

Meet the new General Manager of the newly established Ahuwhenua team

BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARDS

PKW excellence recognised

SAFE/ANIMAL WELFARE MANAGEMENT

Best practice animal management

17

Cover: Charles Bailey (Te Atiawa/Taranaki) Photo supplied by Fairfax Media NZ / Taranaki Daily News.

-

-

When Parininihi ki Waitotara was established in 1976 the leaders of the time had a vision that the iwi of Taranaki would one day be in control of their lands. Now, forty years later, though there is still some way to go, the aspirations of our pioneering leaders are being realised. To commemorate

PKW's forty-year anniversary in 2016, Whenua spoke with the whānau of two of PKW’s renowned leaders, Charles Bailey and Emerson Rangi, both of whom were founding members of the Incorporation. Preston Bulfi n, the Incorporation’s fi rst lawyer, also shares his experience from those early days.

FORTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

4 | HE TANGATA

Standing (l-r): Edward Tamati, Brian Edwards, Jim Ahie.Seated (l-r): Emerson Rangi, Reimana Bailey, Charles Bailey (Chair), Peter Charlton (Secretary), John Kerehoma.

HE TANGATA | 5

Attending the recent opening of the new Incorporation offices, Tiri Bailey and Ra Batchelor found the occasion a rather emotional time. They share their thoughts of the day and their father’s vision...

“Standing in the darkness in front of the magnifi cent new building at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning awaiting its offi cial opening made us think of our Dad, Charles Bailey, and of how proud he would have been that we were present to witness this auspicious occasion. A grand new offi ce block, a whare, a meeting place and a great investment for PKW. We wish to congratulate the committee of management and all those involved

in the new building. It looks grand and will provide a great environment conducive to reaching your goals.

As we meandered through the building following the long line of well-wishers, we gave not only our blessings but also those from Dad and his cousin, Rei Bailey (Uncle Jack), who was on the original committee with him. They spent many hours and weekends together on the NZ Māori

Council, representing Aotea as well as PKW business. It was wonderful to see Preston Bulfi n sharing this occasion as he played a big part in Dad’s life in the early days of PKW and is still part of our whānau as our lawyer, trustee and friend.

This occasion gave us a chance to share some of our memories of Dad’s aspirations and achievements. The fi rst memory that came to mind that day was the many phone calls he made at 5:00am before we went milking or late at night as those were the only times he could track people down to organise meetings. Thank goodness for internet, emails, mobile phones and modern computerised technology these days!

Dad was a proactive person and believed that you had to work hard to achieve your goals. He managed to

In 1971 and 1977 Charles Bailey was the winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for Dairy Farmer of the year. He is pictured above in 1971 with Minister of Maori Affairs, Mr McIntyre receiving the trophy outside Owae Marae. Photo supplied by Fairfax Media NZ / Taranaki Daily News.

6 | HE TANGATA

In attendance at the opening was Emerson Rangi's widow, Rosalie, who also felt the emotion of the day. Her recollections show how she saw the inner workings of the early committee and the challenges they faced that are still relevant today.

“I recall these memories from the perspective of a silent observer, namely the wife of one of the first committee members, Emerson Rangi.

The only active role I had was before it was a legal corporation. I took the minutes, probably akin to notes, of the first meeting, which was held in our lounge at Fraser Road. It was more a meeting of a handful of people “chewing the fat” as to how there could be a change in the West Coast Leases’ administration. I think those minutes are filed at Halliwells in Hāwera.

The first directors may not have had formal business degrees but I recall a visionary, astute, passionate group

fulfil many roles whilst being a father raising five children and running a successful dairy farm. He was actively involved with various committees, meetings and events for community clubs, councils, incorporations etc, including the NZ Māori Council, Taranaki Māori Trust Board, Trustee on Manukorihi Pā, Prison Parole Board, Waitara Rotary Club, school committees, Justice of the Peace, plus his role as chairman of PKW and the times he was called on to support various tangi. He led a very busy life but usually had the right people in place when needed. He enjoyed these undertakings as he got pleasure in getting results, helping others and seeing people reap the rewards where deserved.

We are grateful for the skills he instilled in us – the importance of getting a good education, establishing good work ethics, multi-tasking and, believe it or not, “time management!” He believed in setting up the foundations, doing the groundwork then establishing whatever he wanted to create or launch using the right tools and people.

He encouraged us to achieve well educationally – producing within his own whānau three teachers and a university scholar. We often reminisce how grateful we are for

our upbringing and what a privileged childhood we had despite our mother passing away at a young age. We had to work hard and study hard but we felt loved, didn’t go without much and experienced a lot of “finer things in life.” However, when social events and holidays were on the wish list, Dad often found jobs that were more important. He did recommend travelling to other destinations as an important learning tool to learn about other people, cultures, agricultural trends and geography.

During high school we helped with all aspects of farm work, from milking approximately 300 cows, rearing up to 700 pigs, hay making, cropping and animal husbandry. This enabled us to run the farm in Dad’s absence whilst he attended meetings, usually scheduled for weekends so it didn’t interfere with schooling. It did, however, give us the basic knowledge and experience to continue running the dairy farm successfully as a family trust since his death in 1987 to the present day.

Being part of the opening we know that Dad would be proud and happy to see a group of young vibrant executives continuing to build the Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation beyond what he ever dreamed possible forty years ago.”

“ We are grateful for the skills he instilled in us – the importance of getting a good education, establishing good work ethics, multi-tasking and, believe it or not, 'time management!'”

HE TANGATA | 7

Left: Charles Bailey's daughters (l-r) Ra Batchelor and Tiri Bailey-Nowell.

Centre: Rosalie Rangi at home in New Plymouth.

Right: Emerson was an officer in the territorial army, Wellington West Coast Regiment. Image taken in 1975.

of committee members who took on a huge challenge. This was a challenge to begin an enterprise to help build a strong Māori economy.

When PKW was first mooted, some shareholders were very vocal when the committee suggested the payout of rent be reduced and a percentage withheld to be used to build a powerful business base to help generate more money for the shareholders. I distinctly remember Emerson telling his mother, Kui Dorrie, that the committee would no longer be an agency purely for the collection and distribution of the “peppercorn rentals” that were being paid at the time; that was not an option. Serious debate developed. A debate that focused also on the mindset that they owned, for example, 6.3 acres [2.55 hectares] in Skeet Road. They had moved to owning shares. A concept I know Kui Dorrie found hard to accept.

Mentioning peppercorn rentals brings to mind the protracted process the

committee and lessees of the land went through to get anything like market value rent paid for the farms. Meeting after meeting between the two parties took place.

I remember the research undertaken around some of the following to help diversification and to take the collection agency to a business enterprise.

First the buildings that were completed and leased out. They were in Stratford, Waitara, the RMY [Reeves Middleton Young] building in New Plymouth, and the Egmont Street block in New Plymouth. I was privileged to attend the opening of both the New Plymouth ones. Then there was the acquisition of The Mill, and the Karina Road development. Not to forget the Waipipi sands extraction at Waverley beach. I can’t recall an activist in sight to protest that. Somewhere in amongst these ventures was research into growing Canna Lillies.

When the committee was discussing whether to open a small window of time for lessees to buy leased land, Emerson was jolted into the hard-nosed reality of business. It may also have been the case with other first-time directors then. Emerson was torn between keeping the land intact but at the same time pleasing close friends who leased PKW land and who would want to buy it. Pecuniary interest became a reality.

PKW plays a very important role in the economy, not just for Māori but also for NZ. The visionary foundation for PKW started when the incorporation became an entity forty years ago.[sic] I am pleased to see that vision is still evolving.”

Preston Bulfin was a fresh-faced young lawyer in his mid-twenties from the deep south of New Zealand when he first arrived at Horner and Burns (now Halliwells) a law firm in Hāwera.

The year was 1967 and the Māori Affairs Amendment Act of that year was about to go through the committee stages. Horner and Burns then acted for the Taranaki Māori Trust Board and the Trust Board requested Horner and Burns to prepare submissions on the new legislation. Preston was handed the file.

This necessitated a review of all the then existing legislation affecting Māori Land and Māori Affairs that was to be changed by the new legislation. Preston acquired a pretty detailed knowledge of all these laws in a fairly short space of time. He attended many area meetings in and around Taranaki to explain to those attending the meetings the implications of the legislation, how it would affect them and their interests in land. At one meeting he was introduced as the “Purufini- Pākehā Lawyer”.

Despite this light-hearted jibbing, Preston went on to prepare submissions which he subsequently presented to the Parliamentary Select

Committee on Māori Affairs as a member of the Taranaki Māori Trust Board delegation.

The Māori Affairs Amendment Act of 1967 introduced for the first time the concept of a Māori Incorporation. It was not long after having presented submissions to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Māori Affairs that Preston was approached by the late Charles Bailey and asked if he was prepared to help him and others to wrest from the then Government agency, the Māori Trustee, the control of the West Coast Settlement Reserve.

Charles was concerned at information coming from the Whanganui office of the Māori Trustee as to the number of beneficial owners in the West Coast Settlement Reserve who, as a consequence of other changes to the legislation brought into effect by the Māori Affairs Amendment Act 1967 were lining up to sell their interests in the land. Charles could see that unless something drastic was done, the West Coast Settlement Reserve

would gradually just be whittled away.

Preston agreed to help. That led to the formation of an Advisory Committee which then embarked on a crusade to try to firstly, win recognition from the Government, and, secondly, push for an agreement from the Government to transfer the fee simple of the West Coast Settlement Reserve to an incorporation.

That fight ran on for some nine years. That Advisory Committee that fought that long battle was comprised of Dave Keepa of Waitara who was the Chairman, Te Reimana (Ray) Bailey from Whanganui, Joseph Roach, Wairehu Hikaka, Emerson Rangi, William Ahipene Edwards, Derek Roach, Percy Tamati, James Ahie, James Horo, Charles Bailey, Ted Tamati, H B Marumaru and Charles Tumaiwhao.

Although Dave Keepa was the Chairman at all times of the Advisory Committee (and a very good one

8 | HE TANGATA

“ Charles could see that unless something drastic was done, the West Coast Settlement Reserve would gradually just be whittled away.”

HE TANGATA | 9

recalls Preston) there was no doubting that Charles Bailey was the driving force. During that nine year battle, Preston prepared a form of petition which was printed by the New Zealand Māori Council and circulated for signature requesting the Government to fi rstly recognize the Advisory Committee and secondly agree to relinquish control of the West Coast Settlement Reserve and hand it over to an Incorporation to be formed by the owners. That petition gathered many hundreds of signatures.

Preston also prepared the submissions which were presented by Charles Bailey to the Sheehan Enquiry into Māori Reserved Lands. There were many meetings through those years with various entities and government agencies, including many with the then regional District Offi cer of Māori Affairs and regional Māori Trustee, the late Ernie Cater. Preston

attended all these meetings (where he was the advocate) and every meeting of the Advisory Committee, and during that nine year period never charged for his time.

Finally came the day in 1976 when, after having persuaded the Government through its agent the Māori Trustee that control should be passed over to the owners, a meeting of benefi ciaries was held in Hāwera attended by some 1,000-plus owners and at which a resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority to form a Māori Incorporation and that the Government should pass the control of the West Coast Settlement Reserve to that Incorporation.

Preston then prepared and lodged the application for the formation of the Incorporation.

Having personally attended every AGM for the fi rst 21 years, many of them extremely spirited, Preston recalls in the early days Charles Bailey and the other members of the fi rst Committee of Management were concerned the incorporation was nothing but a more effi cient rent collection agency than the Māori Trustee had been.

He recalls Charles Bailey stating many years ago that it was his aim to see the Incorporation grow to the point where rather than owners wishing to sell their shares there would be queues of owners wishing to increase their shareholding and new persons wanting to acquire a shareholding.

Preston believes if that point has not yet been reached, it is not far off, and the role of the PKW Incorporation can only snowball as the years go by.

Left: Preston is still busy working at Halliwells in Hawera.

“ ... attended by some 1,000-plus owners and at which a resolution was passed with an overwhelming majority to form a Māori Incorporation...”

10 | HE TANGATA

ARTICLE 7

CELEBRATING PKW’S NEW WHARE

10 | HE TANGATA

ARTICLE 7

At a dawn ceremony on Tuesday 16 March representatives from different iwi around Taranaki, kaumātua, shareholders, local business people, as well as Mayor Andrew Judd and council officials participated in the opening of the new premises for the Parininihi ki waitotara Incorporation.

HE TANGATA | 11

12 | HE TANGATA

Openings are a hugely important part of Māori tikanga because they are rare events. Commencing with a dawn ceremony acknowledges the significance of the whare and the mana by which the building will be given. Ngāti Ruanui representatives, kaumātua Sandy Parata led the karakia alongside Te Poihi Campbell to begin ‘te hiki i te tapu’ ritual. Supported with karanga from Liana Poutu, Tapakione Skinner and Te Rawanake Coles, the people who had gathered fell in behind to follow the proceedings.

As part of the proceedings Te Poihi called out in the quiet “Ko wai te ingoa o te whare?” and PKW director Bev Gibson replied “Ko Parininihi ki

When the karanga rang out in the darkness, and the chanting of karakia proceeded, though it was a solemn occassion amongst the tears there were also big smiles. Those smiles were shared amongst PKW staff, shareholders and even the architects and project managers whose job it was to get the doors open for this auspicious day.

Waitotara”. He then asked “Mā wai te whare?” and Bev responded “Mo Taranaki iwi katoa!”

Te Poihi, along with Ngā Ruahinerangi chair Will Edwards and Parihaka elder Dr Ruakere Hond, then crossed the threshold at the entranceway and continued the karakia, walking throughout the building until everyone gathered together on the first floor.

Formal speeches then commenced to complete the proceedings with PKW Board member Taari Nicholas welcoming everyone who attended, thanking them for their show of support to the kaupapa for which PKW represents and likened the opportunities the new building represents with the following

acknowledgement, “Our kaumātua who have passed on, their words now stand the test of time.”

Will Edwards, in response, took the opportunity to reflect on behalf of Taranaki whānui about te muru me te raupatu, the many decades of struggle Taranaki has endured and despite that historical trauma, we have survived and PKW along with our people are still here.

“E kī ana te korero ‘ka whati te tī, ka wana te tī, ka rito te tī!’”

PKW Chairperson Hinerangi Raumati-Tu’ua was then given the floor and said in her welcoming speech, “this building is a true living memorial, an example for our children and

Karakia commences, led by Ngāti Ruanui kaumātua Sandy Parata.

HE TANGATA | 13

“ this building is a true living memorial, an example for our children and grandchildren what can be possible through collective action.”

Top left: Moving through the building with Alice Doorbar out front

Top right: Tapakione Skinner, Ray Tito and Hinewaito Bigham

Above left: Taranaki whānui en mass singing He Pikinga Poupou

Above right: Hemi Sundgren, Mitchell Ritai, Patsy Bodger, Emere Wano and Ali Ritai

Right: Belle Tupe, Ngarongo Callaghan, Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua, Kapuakore Harlow, Maikara Tapuke and Jean Ruakere

Below right: Wharehoka Wano and Ray Tito

14 | HE TANGATA

grandchildren what can be possible through collective action.”

Her words were warmly received and many of those present participated in celebrating the day with a rendition of the waiata He pikinga pou pou e, a waiata that challenges us to learn the skills of the world for the benefi t of Taranaki Māori.

Dion Tuuta, PKW CE, encapsulated sentiments in his kōrero that the whare is a strategic pou of identity and stands as a fl agship in the CBD of New Plymouth of what a successful Māori business, who is proudly Māori, can represent.

“He oranga mō wai? Ko tēnei whare o te ao hou, he pou mō tātou o tēnei tāone.

‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.’”

Above: Board representatives Aisha Ross, Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua, Bev Gibson and Taari Nicholas

Below left: Sandy Parata and Te Aroha Hohaia

Below right: Tapakione Skinner, Elsie Kerns and Maureen Hannon

Bottom left: Maikara Tapuke, Hori Manuirirangi and Tahu Rawiri

Bottom right: Gray Gardiner and Hine Taylor

HE TANGATA | 15

Working with Elliotts is Brendan Ariki Laurence (Taranaki Iwi, former PKW scholar, refer Issue 14) who helped to incorporate into the rebuild elements that refl ected the historical and cultural context within which PKW emerged.

As Brendan explains, “Starting from the entranceway the concept for the stairs is related to climbing the mounga. The story of the wall, how it is conceptualised, it’s about the people climbing the mountain and their journey through time. At the base of the mountain, the timber represents the stories and the ancestors of our people, down here the full length timber represents how our people were in control of their own land, their own destiny.”

“As we move up the wall as colonisation happens, it starts to

fragment as our people start to lose control of their land, as well as the confl ict fi ghting for it, and as we move further up it becomes more solid again to represent how PKW have taken back ownership and management of the land, and are using the land to help our people again.”

Standing at the foot of the stairwell the left wall represents the people of Taranaki and the right side, where rusted scrap steel normally used for boatbuilding has been shaped into large steps, represents the mountain. Brendan points out that the mountain is iron-rich, as well as the iron sands that

Turning what was essentially a square boxed building into a ‘pou’ was the job of New Plymouth based Elliott Architects.

SHAPING PKW’S NEW WHARE

Left to right: Ryan Wood, one of ICL's Quantity Surveyors / Project Managers, working behind the scenes since the beginning of the construction. Brendan Laurence, Jim Elliott and Site Foreman John Starrenburg. "He was ICL's site foreman, the man who made everything happen. We asked quite a lot of John and he delivered", says Jim.

16 | HE TANGATA

come from Taranaki coastlines.

Jim Elliott, the principal architect who oversaw the project, is proud of the different elements they have been able to incorporate into the design to meet the needs of PKW.

“It’s a really simple building from a design point of view and we have tried to break a basic box up with a couple of elements. The outside louvres are there not only to add to the building frontage but to control the light. The

big skylight in the centre brings light into the middle of the building over the stairwell, and helps to balance light around the office spaces,” explains Jim.

Sound, sight and light are all important elements that make for a good office environment. Jim pointed out these and other features that make work stations more practical for staff, who either use their workspaces throughout the day, or for farm staff who will be moving in and out of the office.

architects for PKW

Elliott Architects NP Ltd101 Powderham Street

New Plymouth 4310t 06 759 2224

e architects@elliott.co.nzwww.elliottarchitects.co.nz

elliottarchitects

Previous page: Covered with potted ferns to represent the forest, the stairwell is indeed a great metaphor for climbing the mounga.

Above left: Rimu, black maire, tōtara, rata and matai make up the timber used along the stairwell.

Above right: Near the top of the stairwell, the taller lengths of wood are incorporated into the skylight to represent the sun extending down and covering everyone with light.

HE TANGATA | 17

Four key themes were identifi ed from the survey:

Shareholders then responded to survey questions as follows:

1. Leadership: PKW leadership is viewed positively and has the confi dence of shareholders.

2. Financial performance and benefi ts: The dividend is important and a key measure of success. Diversifi cation was also supported to protect PKW from the volatility of the milk price, and grants were identifi ed as a positive investment although youth-orientated.

3. Communication and Transparency: It is important to improve the annual report so shareholders understand how PKW performed. Transparency and continued accountability were identifi ed as key to maintaining shareholder confi dence.

4. Legacy: The connection to PKW is still very important. Shareholders want to manage their shares and were opposed to compulsory measures like establishing whānau trusts to mitigate share fragmentation.

Shareholder Priorities

In order of importance these were:

1. Leadership

2. Financial benefi ts and dividends

3. Education, Marae and community development

4. Kaitiaki

5. Cultural Identity

6. Employment

Do you prefer an improved dividend or an increased investment in Māori development?

“I guess if I had more shares I'd say, dividend.”

“Creating employment will always be more sustainable than a dividend and this should be a measure of PKW's success.”

“I think we need both. For smaller shareholders the dividend is fi nancially meaningless so they'll probably select development. For larger shareholders where the dividend is noticed a larger dividend is always more attractive. But we need both.”

Since 2010 PKW has undertaken shareholder and stakeholder surveys to be able to gauge interest and thoughts on the strategic issues facing the incorporation.

92 participants participated in 2010, 212 stakeholders in 2012. When the latest survey closed on 18 December 2015, 342 shareholders had participated either by way of online self-completion questionnaire, one-on-one personal interviews or by telephone interviews. This is a summary of the findings.

SHAREHOLDER SURVEY

PREFERRED AN IMPROVED DIVIDEND

MĀORI DEVELOPMENT

NEUTRAL

38%

46%

16%

18 | HE TANGATA

AGREE

DISAGREE

NEUTRAL

35%

36%

29%

AGREE

DISAGREE

NEUTRAL

35%

42%

22%

Some Incorporations have a minimum shareholding policy or require shareholders to establish a whānau trust to stop ongoing fragmentation of shares. Should PKW require shareholders to establish a whānau trust to stop share fragmentation?

Should PKW establish a system to help shareholders buy and sell shares?

The PKW Trust awards up to nine scholarships each year. What are your expectations of the recipients?

“I support whānau trusts, but they only work if the whānau are united. I’ve seen situations where a whānau established a trust only to disagree and then disestablish the trust”

“Working together is always a good thing, but it’s hard. Sometimes it’s easier to do stuff alone”

“Establishing whānau trusts is problematic because trusts require maintenance. The effort to maintain them may outweigh the benefi ts or even cost more to run, than the dividend”

Overall support for a share trading system was divided. Where the shareholders supported a system, conditions were suggested that limited who could buy shares and how many. Those who opposed were for personal and cultural reasons.

“The shares are a cultural inheritance. We didn't buy them so they're not ours to sell.”

“Selling shares is severing the whānau relationship with our history. If people don't want their shares they should just relinquish them.”

“If people want to cut their relationship with PKW and our ancestral land, then they should be allowed to leave.”

“If people want to sell their shares they should be able to, provided the sales are to PKW shareholders and not outsiders.”

“Would be one way to help with fragmentation, there should be a cap on the number of shares”

“An opportunity for existing shareholders to increase their holding to pass on a meaningful number of shares to future generations”

Expectations varied and whānau who had someone receive a grant of scholarship were immensely grateful for the support and acknowledgement from PKW. They also saw this as an investment in their entire whānau. Other shareholders noted that the grants were greater than the dividend they received as an owner, and this was a concern for them.

“These scholars must understand how fortunate they are to receive the amount of fi nancial support they receive. For many shareholders this is more than they will ever receive through their dividend.”

“It is nice to know and hear the successes of many of the recipients. That they attend class, pass and make us proud. It's awesome seeing the list of recipients in the annual reports. I go through this looking for my whānau.”

“I have shares elsewhere and questions are asked "what about us" because it looks like everything goes to the rangatahi, well we were rangatahi once and this type of support wasn't readily available at our time. We missed out then and are missing out now.”

HE TANGATA | 19

How important is PKW to you?

Survey participation

“I think PKW is important to those who receive a big dividend or receive a grant.”

“This is the fi rst time anyone has asked me.”

“I like the connection to a successful Māori business even though I’m a small shareholder.”

Shareholders are confi dent in the leadership of PKW. While they understand the challenging environment their expectation is that PKW is successful and produces a higher return. Shareholders measured PKW’s fi nancial success on the annual dividend and more effort is needed to help shareholders to understand the audit, a key tool for measuring fi nancial performance.

The shareholders were familiar with the farms business and the activities of the PKW Trust, however there was limited understanding or awareness of PKW’s other businesses. In all

instances the shareholders want to understand the entirety of PKW’s business and this can be achieved through PKW’s communication activities.

In addition to fi nancial prosperity, Māori development was recognised as an investment back into community. Shareholders considered the Trust’s focus positive, but questioned how the Trust could extend its offerings.

Shareholders understood the issue of share fragmentation and agreed that establishing a Whānau Trust is one possible solution. However for some, establishing and managing a trust was questionable when the cost exceeded the dividend paid.

Shareholders and PKW are equally challenged by this issue.

The possibility of selling and buying shares drew mixed results however there was a defi nite interest in how this could unfold. There was a general consensus that any decision to buy or sell, rests with the shareholder.

These fi ndings were presented to the Committee of Management and played a key role for setting the scene for their March 2016 strategic discussion. This feedback has been extremely useful on informing the Board on Shareholder preferences and helping them to focus on planning forward.

Shareholders 342

Shares represented 189,007

Wahine 52.3%

Trusts 16.4%

Live outside of Taranaki 60%

Affi liated to Taranaki Iwi 73.4%

Connected to PKW but not Taranaki 26.6%

Congratulations to Patsy Bodger, Graham and Monica King Whānau Trust, Raewyn Baldwin, Rawiri-Toa Whānau Trust and Donna Paulger who won a $100 Pak n Save voucher for completing the survey.

VERY IMPORTANT

NOT IMPORTANT

NEUTRAL

67%

17%

16%

CONCLUSIONS

AT A GLANCE

Demographics

limited understanding or awareness of PKW’s other businesses. In all

a trust was questionable when the cost exceeded the dividend paid.

Demographics

Ngāti Tama9.6%

Ngāti Maru10.5%

Taranaki28.4%

Ngāti Ruanui33.3%

Ngāruahine27.5%

Ngaa Rauru17.8%

Ngāti Mutunga11.7%

TeAtiawa34.5%

Affi liated to an iwi Affi liated to an iwi outside of Taranaki outside of Taranaki 13.7%

Not affi liated to any Iwi 3.8%

Unknown 9.1%

Respondents could select Respondents could select more than one Iwi.more than one Iwi.

20 | HE WHENUA20 | HE WHENUA

NEW GENERAL MANAGER AHUWHENUA – PKW FARMS LPIS APPOINTED

Landcorp−the state-owned enterprise that operates the land owned by the New Zealand government−is this country’s largest farmer, with 140 farms located from Kaitaia in the north to Balclutha in the south, and it was there that prior to joining PKW Louise worked for nearly 6 years.

Louise was a Business Manager overseeing a number of their 63 dairy properties and working across the whole dairy group to support and improve profi tability out of their 60,000 cows, producing approximately 20 million kilograms of milksolids.

Before Landcorp, Louise spent 4 years as a Consulting Offi cer for DairyNZ – the New Zealand industry good organisation for dairying, which gave her a fi rm foundation in the fundamentals of profi table farming.

“Coming from a larger business like Landcorp into a smaller business such as PKW is all about stepping up to a pivotal role in shaping and developing the business strategy and fi nding ways to drive more profi t from our farms,” says Louise.

Raised on a 500-acre farm in rural south Auckland farming beef and cashmere goats, Louise’s father also

had a motorsport business and she proclaims her love of Holdens and Volvos over Ford, a distinction likely to earn her some brownie points amongst the Taranaki fraternity.

Initially studying a veterinary degree for 3 years before changing her degree to a general agricultural management degree, Louise

describes her passion for animal care as having helped shape her career.

With a real interest in the non-fi nancial elements of PKW’s business; the people−their growth, safety and wellbeing−being fi rst in everything the incorporation does, she wants to make a positive contribution to ensuring that kaitiakitanga is paramount in the

HE WHENUA | 21

Early December saw the arrival at Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) of the new General Manager Ahuwhenua. Whenua introduces 35-year-old Louise Cook, who has an extensive background in agriculture and the oversight of corporate farming businesses.

Previous page: Louise Cook.Top to bottom: Bronwyn MacFarlane, Kyla Maaka, Ranald Gordon, Shane Miles and Andrew Gibson.Inset: Roger Landers

business and that they continue to do their best at all times when caring for animals.

The Ahuwhenua team Louise now oversees is responsible for the day-to-day running of PKW’s farming operations, along with the process of purchasing back leasehold rights and managing the lease relationships between lessees on the land PKW owns.

“Practically this involves supporting the Farm Managers or Sharemilkers on the land we farm in making decisions that at all times protect the assets, land, people and cows as well as ensuring the profi ts on behalf of PKW’s Shareholders,” adds Louise.

“In years like this where dairy payout is low, it’s a tough row to hoe! There’s not much revenue coming in to pay the bills and so the Ahuwhenua team are making decisions that do as much as possible to protect the bank balance, without deteriorating the land.”

“The neat bit about PKW’s farming business though, is that our intentions are to be around for a LONG, long time. Because of that we look forward beyond these low periods to brighter times ahead. Having been around for 40 years already and with celebrations this year it’s a comforting reminder that PKW will endure.”

The Ahuwhenua team at PKW is made up of Louise as the General Manager, an Assets Manager, 2 Operations Managers, a Dairy Farm Supervisor, and a Farms Administrator, all of whom are supported by the Health and Safety Manager.

That’s just in the offi ce of course.

Out on the farms the team is joined by Sharemilkers, Managers and all of their staff that are out there rain, hail or shine caring for stock, milking cows, weighing calves and generating revenue for PKW.

Assets Manager Ranald Gordon, who has been with PKW for a very long time as a registered valuer, plays an integral part in PKW understanding the moving horizon regarding our land values. This skill is also highly utilised during this year where he will be busy working his way over all of PKW’s land as part of the 7-yearly rent reviews with our lessees.

Dairy Operations Manager Shane Miles has been with PKW for 5 years. Shane is directly responsible for 9 of the dairy farms along with managing our Dairy Farm Supervisor. His experience and knowledge of PKW’s farms is critical to the success of our business.

The Dairy Farm Supervisor Roger Landers has been with PKW for 18 months and oversees the other 6 dairy farms in the group. Roger has been and still is a farmer and has a fantastic perspective from outside the business on how Ahuwhenua can do things differently and better.

“Roger and Shane spend their time working with farms that make milk.

It’s a simple business – make milk and send it to the factory,” explains Louise. “The hard part is to fi nd out how to make more milk without spending more money in the never-ending search for profi t. That’s the hard piece in dairy farming and I’m becoming more familiar with the great job these guys do.”

Another member of the Ahuwhenua

team is Drystock Operations Manager Andrew Gibson, who is also a highly experienced livestock agent and auctioneer. Andrew oversees 9 Dairy Support and beef properties. Some of these rear dairy stock and others are trading farms where PKW can buy animals, feed them and grow them and later on sell them for more money.

“With shifting markets and variable pricing it’s a tricky game to try to make sure you always make enough difference between the buy and sell price, but Andrew’s experience in this area keeps us on the front foot.”

The fi nal member of the offi ce based team is Kyla Maaka, the Farms Administrator. Kyla is an integral part of the operations with a key focus on supporting the farms team in managing the huge amount of information they need to share with us internally, and also required by national compliance systems such as NAIT (National Animal Identifi cation and Tracing scheme). Other key functions include supporting the budgeting and purchasing processes, managing training requirements and getting stuck in helping with tagging and weighing stock out on the farms when required too.

“Kyla’s cheerful attitude, background in education and great sense of humour are spectacular assets to our team. Her willingness to help out and solve problems with a smile on her face, brighten the day of everyone in and out of the offi ce.”

Louise acknowledges that as the business grows, and as people in the existing business diversify and take on new challenges PKW will need to bring new people in to be involved in running the farms.

22 | HE WHENUA

“ Having been around for 40 years already and with celebrations this year it’s a comforting reminder that PKW will endure.”

HE WHENUA | 23HE WHENUA | 23

“Taking leadership in driving quality environmental practices means not just doing the bare minimum, but working to be a role model in farming. Something PKW Farms LP is very committed to,” reiterates PKW Dairy Operations Manager, Shane Miles, who has reported on developments in previous Whenua issues.

“Everything environmental is at the forefront of our thinking in every development we undertake on the farms. By participating in these awards we get the opportunity to test

our standards and get an independent benchmark from the industry about where we are at in relation to environmental parameters.”

NZ Farm Environment Trust, established to promote sustainable land management, hosts the awards, sponsored by Ballance Agri-Nutrients which is run in eleven regions throughout the country. Judges come from a cross-section of the industry recognised for the skills they bring to the role.

All entrants go through a judging

PKW Farms LP’s environmental policy is being tested against industry standards.

The Ballance Farm Environment AwardS

Riparian planting on Lower Oeo Road.

BREAKING NEWS

24 | HE WHENUA

process which considers the entire environment that each farm operates within, with particular consideration given to:

• sustainable profi tability• environment awareness• good business practices social and

community responsibility.

As a way of promoting and showcasing the farming business to the industry, PKW has entered two farms into the 2016 Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Farm 2 Meremere Road is a 350-cow dairy unit managed by Matthew Kelbrick with Bex Kelbrick as Dairy Assistant and the property overseen by PKW Farms Supervisor, Roger Landers.

Farm 13 Skeet Road is a 450-cow dairy unit managed by Levi Scown, with

Sheree Thomas as Dairy Assistant and overseen by PKW Dairy Operations Manager, Shane Miles.

Both farms have been judged as part of the entrants’ fi rst round judging in December and are part of the second round in January for regional fi nalists. The fi nal awards evening is in March and Whenua will advise the results as soon as they come to hand.

To date, the investment in terms of time and money into upgrading the environmental infrastructure of the PKW farming business has been signifi cant, the biggest one being in the effl uent systems.

Riparian planting and putting solar systems onto some of the sheds, and improving water conservation have all factored into improving the environmental footprint of PKW.

“Our environment policy is also

refl ected in our recycling practices on farm”, advises Shane.

“All farm supply materials, for example silage wrap materials are recycled. Nothing gets buried on farm anymore and what cannot be recycled goes off to waste centres.”

“We want to highlight how our farming practice can be done successfully in sync with the natural environment. I know this is important for our shareholders.”

With a written document provided at the end of the judging process to every entrant, PKW will be keen to know that what is being done today can be sustainably done in the future.

These photos are of the water fi ltration and solar power system for milking sheds at Meremere Road.

HE WHENUA | 25

BREAKING NEWS

Parininihi ki Waitotara Farms LP – Farm 2 (Meremere Rd) was recently recognised as the supreme winner of the 2016 Taranaki Ballance Farm Environmental Award.

PKW’s commitment to sustainable environmental management was recognised by the fact that two of the six fi nalists in the competition were PKW farms. Farm 2 (Meremere Rd) – managed by Matt Kelbrick and overseen by Roger Landers and Farm 13 (Skeet Rd) – managed by Levi Scown and overseen by Shane Miles made the fi nals and took home awards.

In addition to the supreme award PKW Farms LP took home 3 other awards including the Massey University Innovation Award, Water Force Integrated Management Award and the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award.

PKW Chair Hinerangi Raumati-Tu'ua

attended the awards to support both PKW’s entries and said she was thrilled to see PKW demonstrating its leadership in the industry. “The farms team have done a magnifi cent job representing PKW Farms LP and giving life to our key value of kaitiakitanga. Roger, Matt, Shane and Levi should be extremely proud of what they have achieved for PKW.”

The judges noted PKW was “immensely proud of and passionate about its business and the well planned upgrade (of Farm 2) combined with Roger’s and Matt’s management, helped the farm achieve almost 32,000 kilograms milksolids of extra production with just fi ve more cows.”

In accepting the supreme award a typically humble Roger Landers paid tribute to the many leaders who had helped grow PKW over its 40 years. “I’m conscious that we have been given the responsibility to look after

this land for future generations and this award is recognition of the hard work of those who came before us.”

PKW CEO Dion Tuuta also praised the efforts of all involved. “I’m so proud of everyone involved.” He said. “The award is due recognition for their hard work on-farm day to day, but is also a tribute to the long term vision of our owners to protect the land for future generations.”

Matt and Roger will represent PKW Farms LP at the national competition in June.

The award was presented to PKW Farms LP, farm manager Matt Kelbrick and farm supervisor Roger Landers at a dinner in New Plymouth on Thursday 31 March.

PARININIHI KI WAITOTARA IS SUPREME WINNER OF THE 2016 TARANAKI BALLANCE FARM ENVIRONMENT AWARD

Left to right: Julie and Roger Landers, Matt and Claire Kelbrick

Right: Shane Miles and Levi Scown

Photos supplied by New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

Our Dairy Support farms are an integral part of our business in this. That’s why we use lots of different bull types to create better quality calves. Beef bulls, such as Hereford, Angus or Charolais will produce a calf that is stronger and will grow faster into a prime animal, with high value meat for human consumption.

We also use Wagyu bulls to create an amazing Wagyu-Dairy calf that generates extremely high value meat for export.

All of these calves are moved from the dairy farms to our calf-rearing unit where they are fed milk and meal until they weigh 100 kgs. At that point they move again, to one of our dairy support units that will grow them on grass to 500-600 kg, ready for sale.

SAFE Campaign - How we protect Animal Welfare at PKW

The fi rst – that we need to ensure we provide fi rst class care and respect for all animals on our farms at all times.

We do this by ensuring that our farm as a minimum follow the animal welfare codes and ensure cows are free from: hunger, thirst, fear, pain or injury; free from distress and free to carry out normal behaviour.

We are in the process of redesigning how we ensure everybody on our farms understands what this means. We have produced a booklet that outlines the rules as a minimum standard and allows us to discuss how we will do things on our farms to protect and care for our animals. This means that anybody new to our business also has a clear understanding about what our rules are.

The second thing that the campaign brought to our attention was that we need to be absolutely certain we understand what happens to our animals before and after they leave our farm.

Ensuring we use reputable trucking fi rms, that will also give our animals care is critical. Also making sure one of our staff is on hand when animals are loaded onto trucks to manage our animals is part of our animal welfare responsibility.

Finally, we take every opportunity we can to minimise the number of animals that go into the bobby market. Bobby sales offer very little revenue and aren’t at all profi table, plus there is always a risk that very young calves might be mishandled.

Louise Cook General Manager – Ahuwhenua, PKW Farms LP reports on how the campaign that was run in December 2015 by animal rights activists SAFE is a timely reminder of two key things in farming.

26 | HE WHENUA

HE ORANGA | 27HE ORANGA | 27

Tini Rauariki Tehi, commonly known as Jim Ahie, saw the challenges PKW Incorporation faced with fragmentation of shares while on the inaugural committee of management and decided his descendants would not face the same problem. In 1997, with the support of his family, he established a whānau trust.

Ko te whenua, ka ora tangataIt is land that binds the people

Ripo Tautahi Whānau Trust

Alice and Jim Ahie, with his grandmothers relatives, Min Crawford (nee Roach), Iwimarie Davey (Uncle Bang), Hessie Davey (nee Mitchell). Te Tanetapu Roach is seated in front holding patu. Ref: WD.061209 Bernard Woods Studio, Roach, Group (1965), collection of Puke Ariki, New Plymouth.

Ripo Tautahi was Jim Ahie’s grandmother. When he formed the trust in 1997 a majority of the interests vested in the trust had come from her, including the farm. Ripo belonged primarily to Ngāti Kahumate and Ngāti Tamarongo of Taranaki Iwi.

28 | HE ORANGA

and Marion Tapakione Skinner (who came back on board last year) are pleased to see other mokopuna of Jim and Alice joining their ranks. They include: Rob Irving (Marilyn’s son) who is the chair; Geoffrey Otene; Stephen Otene; Wahi Lose; Nicola Kahui; and Douglas Hawkins.

Rob came into the role as chair after his Uncle Monty (Michael’s dad), who was the honorary trust chairman, decided to step down and told Rob to take his place.

“It was a big honour,” says Rob. “I had kind of been helping the trust out with research on our land, etc., and now we have my cousins, Maria Kahui, Adrienne Tapiukura (Tuppy) Young and Tania Hawkins who are ex-officios learning the ropes similar to the way in which I got involved. Tania is an accountant and audits our accounts, Tuppy is a researcher for our whānau and whenua and Maria is a scribe for our meetings supporting my mother in her secretarial role. It’s a great way to involve the next generations.”

Having the mokopuna come onto the trust learning about governance and being involved in decision-making means that the process of being actively engaged with their whānau

When Marilyn Irving got a phone call in 1997 from her father, Jim Ahie, to say there was an important letter in the mail and to read it carefully and return it to him as soon as possible, she followed his instructions and then set about learning what being involved with a trust was all about.

“My father constantly spoke of setting up a whānau trust long before it was formalised in December 1997. I often heard the words – trusts, fragmentation, shares, dividend, West Coast Settlement Reserves – and then, later, PKW. I thought I had better find out what this was all about and so I got booklets from the Māori Land Court on trusts, spoke at length to my Dad about PKW, his and my Mum’s shares and what they meant to them,” says Marilyn.

Jim believed that land shares should be kept together, and, if in the future shareholders were fortunate enough to increase their shareholding in entities like PKW, they would have the power and means to do so.

Marilyn believes there was logic in his thinking as does Jim’s grandson, Michael Ahie, who was approached by his grandfather to come on board as the first mokopuna trustee.

“When my koro asked me, I couldn’t

really say no”, says Michael.

“He was part of a contingent of Māori leaders breaking new ground literally, in terms of the work they were doing around PKW. He had insight and foresight in what challenges were going to lie ahead and he realised that with his big family of ten children he needed to consolidate his family’s interests.”

Setting up the trust has made it easier for Jim’s whānau to continue his legacy, but it was not a straightforward process as at the time not everyone involved understood his thinking. The original homestead, Ngāti Kahumate 5C, in Opunake was already in a trust but there were other shareholdings like PKW shares that had to be succeeded to, and after the long-winded process of Māori Land Court hearings, the Ripo Tautahi Whānau Trust was established.

Besides Jim and his wife, Alice Tapakione (nee Ratahi), other initial trustees appointed were their children, James (Jnr), Marilyn Irving, Marion Tapakione Skinner and Joseph Ahie (Snr) and mokopuna Michael James Ahie.

Marilyn, Joseph and Michael have remained as trustees since 1997 and along with siblings, Rosalie Te Amo

Monty Ahie and Whānau at Ngāti Kahumate Urupa. Ngāti Kahumate 5C

HE ORANGA | 29

trust has been normalised into their daily family lives, says Michael.

“We consolidated all of the estate of our grandparents, including the PKW shares into that one entity as it is simpler to manage and puts the responsibility on the trustees to care for it for the benefit of all the beneficiaries.”

“To be honest, about 20 years ago we were pretty whakamā about how little we knew, but now there is more confidence, and we have set into place unique values, ngako, our own tikanga that we can express so that our rangatahi and own mokopuna can see them in action. They are Māia, Tautoko, Manaaki and Rangimārie.”

Michael’s advice to other shareholders is to recognise that fragmentation means no scale.

“Nearly twenty years later, we now have the resources to get our whānau together, and the AGM brings everyone back home, to our whare tipuna, our homestead and back to the farm that is looked after by our Aunty Frances and her husband Terry. It is a time of gathering and manaaki for the next generation, especially in relation to their educational advancement. From a commercial perspective, consolidating our shares so they don’t

knowledge in their own fields to the trust. Ripo Tautahi will continue to focus on our father’s dream – to stand tall, work and grow together. For us PKW is Ripo Tautahi.”

Acknowledging that the time he and his generation spent with his grandparents has translated into benefits many years later, Rob also agrees.

“We are lucky as a family, we still have a homestead, a farm, and though we are building up that asset base it’s not just being seen as assets, rather as our papakāinga. The trust is like the machine to take ownership of the farm and papakāinga for the whole family, but it requires us to come together for our AGMs. That engagement also allows us to spend quality time together. To see the different generations, the great-great-grandchildren running around together.

get fragmented enables the trustees to grow the asset base not only for the benefit of our whānau but also for the whenua. In the case of PKW we feel much more part of the incorporation this way than if we had had individual whānau shares.”

“PKW and whānau were my Dad’s life,” says Marilyn, and having representation on behalf of their trust at the yearly PKW hui is a delegated trustee responsibility where representatives are required to update all of the whānau on any developments.

Trustees live in Sydney, Russell, Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth and Wellington and social media has become an important communication tool.

“We have a Facebook page that has all the relevant details on latest events, etc., and whoever attends any hui on our behalf posts the relevant information to keep everyone informed,” adds Michael, acknowledging that communication channels are important to ensuring transparency and engagement.

Marilyn agrees. “Our parents valued the importance of education and it is shown with our current line-up of trustees. They bring a wealth of

Stephen Otene, Kathryn Otene, Joe Ahie at Ngāti Kahumate 5C. Photos supplied by the Ahie Whānau

"Our grandfather’s legacy has been realised by our trust as it is truly bringing us together as whānau through the generations.”

30 | HE ORANGA

Graduating from the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki (WITT) late last year with a Diploma in Creative Technologies, Level 6 gives Vallance a direct pathway into practically any Arts degree in the country. He showcased the culmination of many years of study at the student exhibition, ‘TILT’, in November last year, at the WITT campus.

BONITA BIGHAM MEETS A NOT-SO-TYPICAL TARANAKI DECENDANT LEARNING IN A NOT-SO-USUAL FIELD OF STUDY, WHO WAS AMONG THE 2015 PKW LIST OF TERTIARY GRANT RECIPIENTS. VALLANCE WRATHALL (TE ĀTIAWA AND NGĀI TAHU) IS FOLLOWING HIS CREATIVE INSTINCTS AND, IN THE PROCESS IS MAKING INROADS AND IMPRESSIONS IN THE ART SCENE.

CREATIVE TALENTS ABOUND WITH HELP FROM PKW

HE ORANGA | 31

Vallance’s 99-piece work, Maraka Maraka, was stunning in both its complexity and its simplicity. Each individual piece, while distinct in its own earthy content, interconnects and interplays with its neighbours.

Inspired by Rāpaki, where Taranaki prisoners were kept without trial during the peaceful protest against the loss of Maori land in the late 1800’s, this piece also has a very recent and personal connection for Vallance.

He completed the work in honour of his grand-aunty, Minnie Tamati, who was a staunch supporter of his artwork but who passed away before he could finish his diploma.

“I’m seeing it through for her,” says Vallance.

Having had his work exhibited before, Vallance is also actively involved with the Ngāi Tahu art scene and this helps him formulate his future goals in this creative environment.

“I would love to work with indigenous contemporary art across the Pacific and further afield,” he says.

After around four years of study, Vallance is taking a break this year to explore his talent further and challenge himself, with a focus on increasing his experience as a working artist.

This means getting involved in community art projects and organising a studio space in Waitara.

“I’m also working as a pouāwhina at Te Kōhanga Reo o Waitara,” he says, a role that will enhance his knowledge of te reo Māori.

Vallance is profoundly grateful to PKW for the scholarship support he received during his studies, acknowledging the significant contribution the funds have made to his programmes of study, where art materials can be very expensive.

“It’s been the greatest of help,” says Vallance. “It has helped a lot being able to get the materials for our projects.”

To see more of Vallance’s work visit Facebook: VallanceArt Website: vallanceart.wix.com/artist

Left: Vallance with his work 'Pounamu' which was also on display during 'TILT' Exhibition.

Above: Vallance's 99-piece work, Maraka Maraka.

Below: Vallance at the opening of 'TILT' Exhibition.

Photos (this page) supplied by WITT Creative Technologies Department.

32 | HE ORANGA

TARANAKI TŪ MAI 2015Parininihi ki Waitotara Trust is proud to support Taranaki Tū mai and share special moments taken from last years festival, hosted by Ngāti Mutunga.

Taranaki Iwi were well-deserved winners of the kapa haka while Ngāti Maru Iwi were named overall festival winners.

The honour of hosting the 2017 festival lies with Ngāruahine Iwi.

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Copyright 2016 Parininihi Ki Waitotara

35 Leach Street | New Plymouth 4310Taranaki | New Zealand

35 Leach Street | New Plymouth 431035 Leach Street | New Plymouth 4310