Māori landowners thinking long term

“Land development is a critical step for Māori landowners who wish to take control of their land,” says Moyra Bramley, an advisory trustee in Te Aroha 2&3, and 1B.  “Our plan is focused on improving the farm so that it is in the very best condition possible for when owners take it back.  We have to look at our land long-term.” 

Since 2009, Te Aroha has been improving the farm with new roads, better forest protection, smarter paddocks, and a new water system, investing a total of $350,000 on farm improvements.

Portfolio Manager for the block, Maureen Tinkler, says that the owners have small shares, and that individually they would not have received a lot of income.  “Saving their putea (money) means that in the future, owners will receive more.  Te Aroha are thinking ahead, and they understand that development work is not something that can be done overnight.” 

There are 3,092 owners in the two blocks which reach from the northern tip of the Kaimai ranges, and down to the coastline, covering 323 hectares in total.
About 40% of the total land is a significant stand of protected native bush which includes regenerating Kauri trees.  The lessees have put up 6.5km of fencing and the trust has planted 5,500 flax bushes (for weed control).   Within the ngahere (forest) there is evidence of a pā site, and further research is needed into a possible urupa, and additional pā site.