38 | ‘Huge mana’ being Ahuwhenua nalist Peter Livingston, farm advisor( Ag rst) and Barnett Vercoe (chairman) lend a hand milking the sheep. Kelly Deeks Being named a a nalist for the 2022 Ahuwhenua Trophy has brought huge mana to the trustees, the staff, and the more than 4800 land owners at Onuku Maori Lands Trust. Trophy judges highlighted Onuku Maori Lands Trust’s strong focus on governance with clear strategies and policies in place, and on continued improvement of the different blocks across the whenua where comprehensive due diligence process were employed when making decisions on land optimisation, environmental improvement, and new ventures. Onuku Maori Lands Trust chief executive Angela Wharekura says the Ahuwhenua Trophy has a huge history and signi cance and is well-respected by the trust. “Even without the nancial prize, the actual mana it brings is huge. Our trustees and our staff are proud, and we’ve got more than 4800 land owners so it’s really uplifting for them as well.” As a trophy nalist, Onuku Maori Lands Trust has been through a rigorous judging process that Angela says has brought value to the trust and to its operation. “The auditing process is fantastic to go through, and the exposure is also very good for Maori farmers to say ‘look at us doing really well’.” Onuku Maori Lands Trust runs a diverse operation including three bovine dairy farms, one ovine dairy farm, a dry stock farm, a forestry block, a manuka plantation, and an export honey operation, Onuku Honey. The land, which comprises 2362ha, 740ha of which is retired, stretches from Mount Tarawera in the north to Timberlands boundary in the south. Onuku Maori Lands Trust has a strong environmental focus and is part of Project Rerewhakaaitu, a voluntary local farming initiative to help protect local waterways and lakes, as well as a Jobs for Nature three-year project to restore the wetland area and carry out more planting and pest control. Management focus on reducing N and P loss and achieving the highest possible animal welfare standards. Onuku Maori Lands Trust has been a leader in the sheep dairy industry and is now mentoring other Maori farms who are looking to enter this industry. “We acknowledge that for us to continue dairy farming, we must look to reduce our footprint wherever possible,” Angela says. “We saw ovine RURAL PEOPLE » Onuku Maori Lands Trust dairy as one way to diversify, while balancing something kinder to the environment with something that provides the same amount of income. We are able to nish our ram lambs on our dry stock farm, we waste less water and nitrogen, and we have a much better environmental footprint while still having the potential for high income returns.” Angela says the sheep milk industry in New Zealand has a lot of development to do, and Onuku Maori Lands Trust is now working with the Maori Agribusiness Collective, MPI, and NZTE to help other Maori entities move forward in the ovine dairy industry. At this stage about 20 Maori entities have had feasibility studies done and are now looking at ways they can enter the industry. “If they are not able to develop their land, there are other ways Maori land blocks get involved with a range of industry by-products including lamb rearing.” Onuku Honey was another opportunity to diversify and also to fortify Onuku Maori Lands Trust’s Gate to Plate offering. “We bring people from overseas to the farm, which is an absolute picture. We show them what New Zealand farming and beekeeping is all about, and tell the story behind Onuku and our huge number of land owners who get education grants and kaumatua grants every year, thanks to our trust and our farms.” With an ever-growing number of land owners, Onuku Maori Lands Trust treads the ne line between growth and a conservative approach that won’t risk the land. “Everything we do must re ect that the land is a taonga. We have to grow our operations, maintain our income, and reduce our environmental footprint so we can continue to distribute to this current generation, and grow it for the next generation.” Rotorua Ph 348 0627 CERTIFYING PLUMBERS, GASFITTERS & DRAINLAYERS Water Tanks & Filtration Repairs & Maintenance Renovations New Homes office@plumbermanrotorua.co.nz Agricultural Engineering Specialists Manufacturing - Repairs - Servicing - Parts & more. 220 REPOROA RD, REPOROA www.reptec.co.nz facebook.com/reptecreporoa instagram.com/reptecltd/ 07 333 8170 LIVESTOCK AGENTS - AUCTIONEERS NZ Owned and Operated Covering the Hawke’s Bay and East Coast We are proud to continue our association with Onuku Maori Lands Trust and congratulate them on their achievement For all your Livestock requirements, contact the team P 06 8787 535 • admin@redshawlivestock.co.nz Brosnahan Agricultural Spraying Ltd Gene Brosnahan Cell: 027-410 1035 Email:bas@brosnahanagri.co.nz
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