Business Central July 2021

62 | Trust gaining momentum over time T Sue Russell HORTICULTURE Ngai Tukairangi Trust T to page 64 R atahi Cross leads Ngai Tukairangi Trust a family-based hapu organisation, which had its birth in a way 110 years ago, when his descendants, then based at Te Papa now the site of Tauranga City, were subjected to a massacre, leaving only women and children surviving. These 39 swam from Te Papa across the harbour to Matapihi. “We no longer held large land holdings and just had our own resources which set the whanau in a new direction, growing food for other tribes, in order to slowly rebuild.” Speaking with Ratahi, its easy to discern his strong bond to his people and to the subse- quent many generations that have arisen. “To understand that journey, that grief, instilled in us a strong sense of identity and the guiding vision to support all our people to grow and flourish. “More than any business activity we are connected with today, this principle is the most precious to us.” Ngai Tukairangi Trust is today a substantial kiwifruit grower based in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke’s Bay. The Trust formed in the early 1980’s through the coming together of Maori land blocks, threatened at the time with urbanisa- tion on the Matapihi peninsula. More than 100 hectares has been committed to kiwifruit growing. “We are experiencing significant growth and have been for some years now.” Those formative years for the trust did not come without its share of pain, as Ratahi explains. P 07 548 0637 M 027 483 1080 467 Omokoroa Rd Omokoroa, Tauranga 3172 • General Freight • Bulk Freight • Container Cartage • Hiab Services • Tipper Services PROUD TO SUPPORT NGAI TUKAIRANGI TRUST 1 Pyes Pa Road, Pyes Pa, Tauranga Ph 0800 487 22868 | www.powerfarming.co.nz Congratulations to Ngai Tukairangi Trust Power Farming Bay of Plenty, formally Capital Tractors Tauranga, has been working for several years with Ngai Tukairangi Trust supplying both new and quality used tractors and machinery for use in their extensive Kiwifruit business. We congratulate Ngai Tukairangi’s successes at the Maori Kiwifruit Awards and because of their growth and achievements they deserve all accolades. With their relaxed professional approach their staff are a pleasure to deal with and we will continue to offer any support and equipment to help them succeed locally and beyond. WE ARE THE ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL EQUIPMENT HANDLING NEEDS. YOUR EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST SALES, LEASE, RENTAL & 24HR ONSITE SERVICE WWW.ECRL.CO.NZ | 0508 367 554 | 400 ELLISON RD, HASTINGS PROUDLY SUPPORTING NGAI TUKAIRANGI TRUST