The Rotorua Riding for the Disabled Association has entered into a mutually beneficial lease for the Waikuta No. 2 block.
The charity’s site was very close to the Rotorua airport and the low lying plane proved to be very unsettling for both children and horses.
In 2011 the Waikuta Advisory Trustees approached Te Tumu Paeroa to negotiate a lease that would help the Riding for the Disabled Association by agreeing on a long term lease so that they could secure funding.
Te Tumu Paeroa: the new Māori Trustee, is the responsible trustee for Waikuta No. 2. Te Tumu Paeroa negotiated the lease and have facilitated discussion between the trustees and the association.
The 7.7 hectare block which is split by a road was vacant before the lease uptake. It is situated in a residential area in Rotorua. Prior to securing the lease the trustees of Waikuta No. 2 were considering sub-dividing the land and selling on the open market.
Advisory Trustee Alex Wilson has led the project and attended the opening of the Riding for Disabled at Waikuta No. 2.
“When we heard about the troubles the Rotorua Riding for the Disabled were having with their location we were happy to provide the solution and we welcome them to Waikuta No. 2. The land mass is not suitable for farming and our options were considerably limited. The relationship with the Rotorua Riding for the Disabled Association is a positive one. It’s a good kaupapa and we’re happy to be part of it in our small way,” says Alex.
“This has been a positive outcome for both the owners of Waikuta No. 2 and the good work done by the Rotorua Riding for the Disabled Association. This is a good example of positive community impact and finding a solution that benefits all parties,” says Jamie Tuuta, head of Te Tumu Paeroa.
