On Friday, a dairy venture outside of Hawera opened the gates to over 200 people who came to view and learn from Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd - a model farm built across five Māori land blocks.

The event was part of the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy, which has been recognising Māori excellence in farming for the last 81 years.  Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd was named as one of the top three dairy farms in the 2014 Ahuwhenua Trophy because of its performance, governance, and community achievements. 

Chairman of Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd, Dion Maaka, says that the open field day was a chance for owners to celebrate how far they have come.  

“The driving force behind the Te Rua o Te Moko’s success is the passion and spirit of our owners.  Their vision, their common vision, is the reason why this whenua (land) is achieving its greatest potential.

By creating a joint dairy venture, and linking with experts like Te Tumu Paeroa and PKW, a successful business has been established.  We’ve also established an on-farm training centre, which is guiding our people into lucrative farming careers.   Our eye is on the future; on reclaiming control of the land, and getting our own into farm management,” says Dion.

Te Tumu Paeroa is the responsible trustee for three of the five land blocks farmed by Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd and is part of the farm’s management team.   In the farm’s initial set up, Te Tumu Paeroa (then the Māori Trustee) worked alongside landowners to help enable the successful collaboration.  Many of the Te Tumu Paeroa team were present on the day to show support, along with local farmers, many landowners, and representatives from the other two competing farms Himiona Farm (Putaki Trust in the Bay of Plenty) and Ngakauroa Farm (from Ngāti Awa Farms Ltd).

Te Rua o Te Moko Training Centre

Land Based Training Ltd/Te Rua o Te Moko Training Centre situated on Te Rua o Te Moko farm, Austin Road, Normanby

  • Takes up to 12 trainees a year
  • Teaches Level 3 Certificate in Agriculture

Summary of Te Rua o Te Moko Ltd

Te Rua O Te Moko is a dairy farm venture that unites four Ahuwhenua trusts (three administered by Te Tumu Paeroa).

  • 189 hectares in Normanby, Taranaki
  • 5 blocks brought into one farm in a joint venture arrangement in 2009
  • 1,100 owners
  • Farmed under a 50:50 sharemilking contract