Te Rua o Te Moko was named the winner of the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy BNZ Māori Excellence in Farming Awards, held on Friday in Tauranga.

This collaborative dairy farming venture farm in Taranaki brings together four Ahuwhenua trusts and a leased Office of Treaty Settlement block into one farm enterprise.

Dion Maaka, the Chairman of the organisation, says it is the openness of the owners to collaborate that has made the dairy venture possible.

“Our owners committed to a common vision and had the courage and conviction to be more active in the management their land. Together we have created a profitable sustainable business that can provide greater value for its owners.”

Dion notes that the farm’s success was supported by expertise and external resources. “Te Tumu Paeroa played an enabling role with a start-up loan, facilitation of the collaboration, and performance and reporting services that ensure sound management disciplines and good governance.”

Jamie Tuuta, Head of Te Tumu Paeroa (and Trustee for three of the four trusts involved), says that Te Rua o Te Moko  is built on a farming model that can be applied to other Māori landblocks.  

“This joint dairy venture is a shining example of unlocking the potential of Māori land and working with the aspirations of the owners.  It shows that it is possible when you bring together smaller Māori land blocks and create a farm of sufficient scale that can return more to the owners,” says Jamie.

The other two finalists were Putauaki Trust – Himiona Farm and Ngati Awa Farms Ltd – Ngakauroa Farm.

Facts

  • Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd is a 189 ha farm (170 ha effective) in Normanby, Taranaki
  • Includes over 1,100 owners represented by private trustees and Te Tumu Paeroa, the new Māori Trustee
  • Farmed under a 50:50 sharemilking contract – commenced 01 June 2009
  • 500 cows producing 190,000 kgMS