Protecting and nurturing our whenua
Kaitiakitanga
When we become landowners, we become kaitiaki for our whenua – building on a shared vision for the future. Find out how to participate, and learn about trusts and governance.
In 2009 four Taranaki ahu whenua trusts came together to form one large farm.
Five years later Te Rua O Te Moko Ltd. won the Ahuwhenua Trophy for excellence in dairy farming.
They now milk 500 cows on 175 hectares and are training uri for the next stage of the journey.
Daisy Noble: My name’s Daisy. I am one of the trustees of one of the four blocks of the farming venture that we have here.
When the four blocks were collectively pulled together, in its own way that is the start of whenua being returned the way it should have been back to a hapū think or a hapū way of looking at land ownership.
Anne Marie Broughton: We went through quite a lengthy process of developing a vision for Te Rua O Te Moko in conjunction with the owners. There were some key owners that took part in that at the time.
And then you’ve got to really try and lead them down that whole very, very complex pathway of bringing it all together.
Daisy: Time and understanding what that could mean in the wider context, it just makes you more comfortable and you know that you can create a bigger vision by coming together like that.
Anne Marie: In terms of Tino Rangatiratanga you know we want to be encouraging our people to be governors and managers of their own land.
Dion Maaka: We always look to utilise best practise methods in terms of our waterways, our effluent management etc. I think for our operation kaitiakitanga extends to the people as well.
Kendrin Graham: I’m Kendrin Graham, I’m 18 years old and I’m from Taranaki. I work, well I do land based training. I did leave school when I was 16 turning 17 so I decided to go on the farm.
Since I’m a townie I feel honoured. This farm’s been here for like how long? Like yonks!
Dion: I always look through the owners’ lens when we’re managing, when we’re governing this operation. I would love for our people to be operating this farm, to be the next governors, management etc. So that’s really kaitiakitanga in its truest form for me.
![A group of people waiting to enter a marae.](/media/lnefk3bx/understanding-governance.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Governance roles and structures
Learn about the roles and structures involved in governing whenua.
![Two people standing in a field having a conversation.](/media/f44jj1p2/setting-up-gov-structure.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Setting up a trust or governance structure
Find out what steps are involved in setting up a whenua Māori trust or incorporation.
![View of a paddock with a road stretching into the distance.](/media/lt1djhvu/developing-a-strategy.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Developing a strategy
To achieve owners' aspirations, trustees need to define the vision for the whenua and develop a strategy to achieve it.
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Developing a business plan
Develop a plan around who will do what to achieve the strategic outcomes for the whenua, and how you will measure success.
![A group of people standing on the grass in front of the endtrance to a marae.](/media/1xbjfw4w/meeting-governance-obligations.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Your trust's responsibilities
Trustees are responsible for a number of duties and obligations. If they don't meet these, they can be held legally accountable.
![A row of people with poi at their waist.](/media/lo5hooij/governance-best-practice.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Running an effective trust
Running an effective trust involves more than just ticking the compliance boxes — these are the key extra steps to get you on your way.
![Two men standing together in an orchard.](/media/t24l3zet/meeting-compliance-obligations.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Complying with rules and regulations
When you're ready to start work on the whenua, make sure you're meeting any regulations and have processes set up to keep whānau safe and well.
![Kiwi in the bush.](/media/0s0nkeja/kiwi-2.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Protecting your whenua for the future
Placing a kawenata, or covenant, on your whenua is one way to protect the natural biodiversity of the land. Whānau can work with organisations like Ngā Whenua Rāhui and the QEII National Trust to set up a covenant.
![A small boy standing in the water in front of a group of people in waka.](/media/q1bdhiik/check-your-trust.jpg?width=1112&height=628&quality=80&mode=crop¢er=0.5,0.5)
Check how well your trust is doing
Good governance is key to a successful, stable, and healthy trust. Our governance health check tool can help trustees understand what’s going well, and offer guidance on how to get the best outcomes for both whānau and whenua.
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Responding to COVID-19
COVID-19 continues to have an impact on the Māori economy. This is a time when Māori land owners and other businesses need information to help them make key decisions that will impact whenua and whānau.
Kōkiri
There are options available to support you if you want to develop or progress whenua Māori. Explore the potential of your whenua, and see how it can help whānau move forward together.