Ruhanui

A message from our chair

I raro i te maru o Ruhanui, ka whakanuia te hua o ngā mahi kua oti, me ngā wawata e puāwai ake ana mō āpōpō.

He wā tēnei e whakahou ai, e whakakaha ai hoki i ngā kaupapa e whai oranga ai ngā whānau me ngā uri, ā, e hāngai ana ki te ara e whāia nei e ngā kaitiaki mō te tipu me te toitūtanga o tō tātou iwi.

I a tātou e anga atu ana ki Te Rua o Takurua, ka maumahara ki te hunga kua wehe atu ki te pō i roto i te tau kua pāhi.

Haere, haere, haere atu rā.

Kia ora tātou

Thank you everyone who took the time to respond to the Trust’s recent survey.

It’s always good to have feedback – whether it’s in a formal platform like an online survey or verbal at hui and marae around our rohe.

The survey findings help us focus on what’s important to owners and descendants, and it was no surprise to see people want us to continue to support education, courses and wānanga. Whānau wellbeing came through as a priority for many.

And it’s not just about the numbers – a lot of sentiment was captured in the comments. We hear you.

Our hononga ki te whenua programme has continued through the year and in this newsletter, we highlight a couple of recent haerenga ki te whenua with Te Rangiita ki Waitetoko Marae and Te Kura o Hīrangi. 

Trustees are delighted with the number and calibre of Education Grant applications this year, with 96 grants made to help our students in all the fields that matter, but especially strong in health studies and our reo. This is nearly double the number of recipients from 5 years ago.

And the Trust welcomes two new faces to our board via the manupiri kaitiaki (associate trustee) programme. You can read about Marina and Puna Whakaata in this pānui.

Ngā mihi

Tina Porou, Chair

Ruhanui - a time for reflection

Ruhani is often referred to as the 13th month, occurring approximately every three years to help realign the lunar cycle with the natural seasonal cycle.

Traditionally, Ruhanui is associated with:

• Reflection and assessment
• Preparation and planning
• Restoration and renewal
• Spiritual connection

Ruhanui is a time to restore balance, acknowledge achievements, and prepare for the future. It provides an opportunity to ensure that the mauri of people, places, and kaupapa is strengthened before embarking on the next phase of growth and activity.

The results of this question point to widespread support and interest in our courses and programmes.

Numbers tell interesting story

We had nearly 400 responses to our recent survey.

These surveys help us understand what’s important to owners and uri, they confirm what we know, and also reveal things we need to focus on or do better.

Here’s just a few of the numbers from survey responses:

• 46 per cent of respondents were aged over 65 years – ahead of the 44-55 and 55-64 groups combined
• Only 21 per cent live in the Taupō/Tūrangi area
• 80 per cent were aware of LTFT grants – but 20 per cent weren’t
• There was strong support for LTFT programmes and courses with education and kaumātua support being highest
• Healthcare and wellbeing were the top priorities for future support
• 95 per cent supported email as the best communications platform

We had four $50 Prezzy Cards to give away to survey responders and the lucky winners were: Sandra Anderson, Wendy Easter, John Graham Strongman, Michael Savage Hema.

Interest in kaumātua grants 

We are seeking all landowners aged 70 and over who are not registered with LTFT, to please get in contact with us. Also, if you have recently changed your bank account, we need to know.

We have more than 300 kaumātua who haven't received their grant yet so if you know any whānau members, kaumātua or landowners who may be in this waka, please share this pānui with them.

There are a number of upcoming changes proposed to the kaumātua grant, so keep an eye out for these changes in the coming months. The grant is currently valued at $200 and is a one-off annual amount from the Lake Taupō Charitable Trust. To be eligible you need to be:

• A registered beneficial owner aged 70 years or over; or
• A beneficial owner aged 70 years or over who has put their shares into a whānau trust

The Kaumātua Grant is automatically paid to registered and eligible kaumātua. Please ensure you are fully registered with the Owner Services Team by phoning 07 386 8839

Use our new form on our website:  Kaumātua application form

Meanwhile the Pūtea Aroha Tangihanga fund has also changed, increasing to $3000 since 1 January this year. 

The list above shows the different fields of study for grant recipients.

Big jump in Education Grants

The Lake Taupō Forest Trust is proud to support the educational aspirations of our whānau through the 2026 Education Grants programme.

This year, 96 grants were awarded to tauira pursuing studies across a diverse range of fields, including Te Reo Māori, health, business management, law, engineering, environmental studies, finance, information technology, and science.

The strongest areas of study were Te Reo Māori and health, reflecting a commitment to strengthening both cultural knowledge and essential workforce skills within our communities.

The 96 being assisted is well up on the 68 who received grants last year and in 2024.

We congratulate all recipients and wish them every success in their studies as they work towards achieving their educational and career goals.

These education grants are available through the Lake Taupō Charitable Trust. The value of each grant is dependent on the total number of successful applications received each year.

Day of forestry and taiao

Year 5 and 6 students from Te Kura o Hīrangi this week headed out into Lake Taupō Forest to learn more about the taiao and forestry operations on the ground.

For many, it was their first opportunity to get out on the whenua and see what happens in the forestry sector. The group visited a silviculture crew, led by Hiki Ellis, where they learned about planting and establishing new forests. Each student had the chance to plant at least one pine tree.

As Hiki shared: “In 27 years’ time, those plantings will be ready to be harvested. By then, many of these mokopuna will be in their mid-to-late 30s.”

The students also visited Te Waa Logging’s harvesting crew, where they learned about the different machines used in forestry, including haulers, loaders and diggers.

“So much has changed in harvesting over the last 10 to 15 years. More machines are operating now, replacing jobs that once relied on people using chainsaws to fell trees. It’s much safer now,” Te Waa explained.

Koroua Les Owens was also there to share kōrero about the forest and its history. Mihi rawa atu ki a rātou, ngā kaitiaki o te whenua.

A big thank you as well to our Forest Managers Mike Fraser and Maria Babbington for helping make the day possible.

Reconnecting with te taiao

There was fun, laughter and learning on our latest trip out in the ngahere.

The Te Huinga o Ngāti Te Rangiita Wānanga was a hapū-led initiative, with the Trust continuing to support these types of kaupapa – hononga ki te whenua.

The wānanga saw whānau reconnect with te taiao, strengthen cultural knowledge, and share kōrero tuku iho and mātauranga Māori.

The leadership and guidance of kuia provided an opportunity for whānau to learn directly from those who carry traditional knowledge. This strengthens intergenerational connections, cultural confidence, and a deeper understanding of our relationship within the natural environment.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

"I felt privileged. I wish all my whānau were here to be exposed to what we were exposed to. Our kuia leading the way to Te Ao Tawhito. I can't wait till the next one."

"I could see my whānau, uncles, aunties, and our tūpuna were happy. Our mokopuna looked comfortable, connected and happy."

These wānanga will continue to be rolled out by the Trust, creating opportunities for whānau to gather, learn and reconnect with their culture, history and environment.

Keep an eye out for more dates leading into springtime.

Butchery courses around marae

The Trust is running another series of one-day butchery courses at various marae.

The crew from M21 meats in Taupō will show whānau how to dress venison and pork from the whenua, how to safely handle knives, sharpen or steel a knife, and use cutting boards properly.

The courses  include basic trimming, portioning, deboning, slicing steaks, preparing roasts, cutting chops, or breaking a shoulder. The emphasis is on good practice when handling meat, including hygiene and waste reduction

We plan to run courses at Hīrangi, Tokaanu, Rongomai and Waitetoko marae and roll these out to our other marae.

Watch our Facebook page and marae notices for dates, venues and times.

Help with driver licence costs

A reminder we can help with costs associated with getting your driver’s licence.

If you have recently passed your restricted, full or H/T licence test, you may be eligible for a full refund.

It is available to all registered owners or their descendants.

Marina Biddle, left, and Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love have joined the Trust board.

New manupiri kaitiaki on board

Two manupiri kaitiaki (associate trustees), Marina Biddle and Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love, have been appointed to the Lake Taupō Forest Trust board.

Manupiri kaitiaki will spend a year on the board, bringing new voices and skills to the table while also gaining governance experience.

Marina Biddle

Business owner and kaiako Marina Biddle is founder and owner of Here For It, a kaupapa Māori store in Tūrangi that supports and showcases pakihi Māori,
local artists and Māori excellence in the retail space.

The experienced kaiako has taught in local kura and schools across Aotearoa
within both the primary and wharekura sectors. 

“I am passionate about empowering young people with the knowledge, confidence and cultural grounding needed to contribute positively to their whānau, hapori and future aspirations,” Marina says.

Marina is a descendant and uri of the Lake Taupō Forest Trust, with strong whakapapa and whānau connections to the forest and to the Trust itself. “My koroua, Jim Biddle, served for many years as a trustee, and my father, Heemi Biddle, continues this legacy as a current board member.

“Through them, and through our wider whānau, I have grown up understanding the responsibility we carry as kaitiaki of the forest and the whenua to which we whakapapa.

“I am deeply committed to the development of our rangatahi and to nurturing future leaders who understand their responsibilities to their people and their
whenua.’’

Marina is very involved within her hapū, marae and wider community.

Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love

Auckland-based lawyer Puna Whakaata Maniapoto-Love is keen to use her skills and growing experience in the corporate world to assist the trust.

She is currently based at Mather Solutions working in strategy, governance and building cultural capability.

“As someone deeply grounded in te ao Māori, te reo, and tikanga Māori, I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen my connection with Ngāti Tūwharetoa while further developing my leadership and governance capability,” Puna Whakaata says.

“Over the past year working as a consultant, I have gained exposure to governance processes and strategic decision-making. Through this, my interest has shifted towards iwi governance, particularly contributing to the aspirations and well-being of my own iwi.

“Through my legal studies and professional experience, I have developed strong analytical and interpersonal skills, a problem-solving mindset, and a commitment to advancing outcomes for Māori.”

Puna Whakaata has connections to the Trust through her grandfather Nepia Maniapoto, who is an owner. 

“He always ensured that his mokopuna understood our whakapapa and our connection to Ngāti Tūwharetoa.

“The Manupiri Kaitiaki Programme represents an opportunity to continue learning while contributing to the future leadership of our iwi.”