| 57 T T Kelly Deeks Maximising farmers’ forestry opportunities Tāmata Hauhā offers a diverse range of planting options, growing more than 42 different species. FORESTRY Tamata Hauha Forestry company Tāmata Hauhā is helping farmers and landowners across Aotearoa to unlock the potential of their whenua, using carbon forestry and solar energy projects as enablers to drive long-term prosperity and environmental outcomes. Founded by Blair Jamieson and his team of experienced whenua advisers, Tāmata Hauhā works in genuine partnership with landowners, providing full project funding and ongoing management support, while enabling landowners to retain control over their whenua and future land use aspirations. Blair, of Te Rarawa and Ngā Puhi descent, brings a wealth of experience in land management, water quality, logistics, and primary sector operations. Based in Ōrewa, he spent years advising farmers and landowners on ways to improve water quality and manage erosion. That experience, he says, naturally evolved into his work today, helping landowners realise the potential of their land, from the hilltops to the waterways. “Our whole kaupapa is about enabling landowners to achieve their aspirations,” he says. “We bring the capital investment, and the landowners design the outcomes they want to see.” With new government regulations on land use change, Tāmata Hauhā finds itself well positioned to provide solutions for landowners facing regulatory and financial challenges. “We’re busier than ever,” Blair says. “We’re working with farmers, Māori trusts, and catchment groups, anyone who needs support making better use of their land while also delivering strong environmental outcomes.” Unlike traditional forestry models focused on monoculture pine plantations, Tāmata Hauhā offers a diverse range of planting options, growing more than 42 different species, including native forests and high-value exotic hardwoods. Blair says their integrated forestry approach often sees up to 75% native species planted in some projects, delivering biodiversity and carbon returns comparable to pine. “We can design premium forests that meet both economic and environmental goals,” he says. “Farmers can still graze livestock under the trees, and we’re giving people real options for how they want their land to look in 30 or 50 years.” Blair says farmers are already well versed in the idea of growing for production. “At the end of the day, farming and forestry are both about growing,” he says. “We help farmers integrate trees without losing farming income, and in some cases, they’re making five times what they were previously.” Tāmata Hauhā also provides a long-term management service, addressing concerns over neglected forests and lost future value. “We’re not the kind of company that plants pine and walks away,” Blair says. “We stay in and manage the asset.” The company’s carbon forestry model utilises New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to generate the upfront capital needed for land development projects. Carbon, Blair says, is simply an enabler for larger, long-term outcomes on Māori and farming land. “We’re using carbon returns to unlock wider opportunities for landowners, whether that’s biodiversity projects, further investment, or diversifying income streams.” In addition to forestry, Tāmata Hauhā is expanding into renewable energy through its solar farming initiative, Tūmanako Rānui, in partnership with Regener8 Power. This creates additional income streams for landowners, while contributing to New Zealand’s renewable energy targets. To help landowners see the opportunities first-hand, Tāmata Hauhā has established a carbon forestry demonstration site near Palmerston North, showcasing multiple planting and land use strategies on a working farm. “At the end of the day, our model is about giving people options,” Blair says. Courtesy Ford proudly supports Tamata Hauha 180 John F Kennedy Drive, Palmerston North (06) 356 8089 WE GROW TREES. 021 340 300 | henri@awapuni.co.nz | awapuni.co.nz COMMERCIAL WHOLESALE GROWERS OF NATIVES, PINE AND OTHER FORESTRY TREES.
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