Whiringa-ā-nuku 2024

He Maimai Aroha  Binky Ellis 

1961-2024 

Ka tangi te awa, ka ngunguru te moana, kua hinga te tōtara haemata i te wao nui a Tāne.

E te Rangatira, nāu anō te reo i ārahi mātou i ngā wā o te āwhā me te marino, he pakiaka anō koe e tū ai te rākau o te whānau me te iwi. I hora tō aroha pēnei ki ngā hua makuru e kai ana e te tini me te mano huri noa i a koe. I whakatōngia e koe te pū o te mahana, te atawhai, me te kata ki te ngākau o tēnā, o tēnā.

Ahakoa kua riro koe i te hau pūkeri o Hine-nui-te-pō, ka mau tonu tō mana pēnei i te tū a tō maunga. E maumahara tonu mātou ki tōu aroha. Ko ngā kākano i whakatōngia e koe ki roto i a mātou ka tupu hei puāwai mō ngā uri e whai ake nei. Moe mai rā e te rangatira i raro i te korowai o ō tūpuna.

Clinton Kaimanawa Ellis, more affectionately known as Binky, passed away recently at the age of 63. He spent his life in the forest but in later years brought that knowledge to the boardroom as a trustee and then chairman of the Lake Taupō Forest Trust.

The son of John Gilbert Ellis and Margaret Mauri Biddle, Binky was raised on the papakāinga in Korohe, Ngāti Hine.

After a lifetime in forestry, particularly in harvesting, Binky was appointed to the Lake Taupō Forest Trust as a trustee in 2007. He went on to become the chair in 2014 and held that position until his passing.

Binky guided the Trust through some significant milestones and events including the ending of the Crown lease arrangement in 2021, the establishment of the Trust’s commercial entity Tupu Angitu, the purchase of a privately owned forestry company NZ Forest Managers, and more recently, working through the impacts and devastation created from Cyclone Gabrielle.

Binky’s wisdom and steady hand were respected in the boardroom, where he brought a fresh outlook, tempered by years of forestry experience. He cherished his time with the “old fullas”, as he called them, those koroua who sat on the board nurturing and guiding him during his early years as a trustee.

Binky was a hands-on leader in the forestry industry, where he spent more than 40 years of his life carving a path not just for himself but for many others. He was a man whose hands shaped the land and whose heart embraced his people. His work was more than a profession; it was a commitment to his community, his people, and his whānau.

Owning his own business for several decades, Binky became a highly regarded harvesting contractor, spending many years in Lake Taupō and Lake Rotoaira forests. He worked with NZ Forest Managers, Fletcher Challenge Forests and Carter Holt Harvey.

The trustees and staff of Lake Taupō Forest Trust extend our sincere condolences to his family, especially his children, his wife and best friend Wendy, and his mother Margaret.

Binky has left behind a legacy of service, leadership, and a commitment to community that will not be forgotten. His work is done, and it is now for us to continue that journey.

E te Rangatira, e Binky, haere atu te hiku o te tangata, haere te pou maru, haere te paenga o te mahi. Whakaiti ana koe i a koe ki te aroaro o Ihoa o ngā mano Matua, Tama, Wairua Tapu me ngā Anahera Pono, ko te Māngai, āe. Moe mai, moe mai, oti atu e.

Internships now available

We are partnering with key business associates to offer two internships this coming tertiary holidays.

One is with accountants BFA and BNZ Taupō (jointly) and the other with one of Aotearoa’s top law firms Whāia Legal.

To be considered for these opportunities you will need to whakapapa to the Lake Taupō Forest Trust either as an owner or a descendant of an owner. You must also be a Tertiary Education Grant recipient.

Associates join trust

There are two new faces at Lake Taupō Forest Trust meetings with Taina Cooper and Hepi Ferris-Bretherton coming on board as Manupiri Kaitiaki (associate trustees).

They bring younger voices and skills to the table while also gaining governance experience and encouragement to go further, whether it is becoming full trustees with LTFT or other Tūwharetoa entities.

Hepi is keen on fostering youth development and leadership within his community. Taina is a passionate advocate for the voices of rangatahi.

John Hura (left) is presented with the NZ Forester of the Year Award. Photo courtesy of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.

Salvage work earns praise

NZ Forest Managers General Manager John Hura has been honoured for his work in leading the massive forest salvage following Cyclone Gabrielle.

John is general manager at NZFM and his leadership saw him awarded the NZ Forester of the Year Award for his exceptional contribution to the sector over the past year.

NZ Institiute of Forestry president James Treadwell highlighted John’s leadership in the Māori forestry industry, stating: “His strong morals and ethics have earned him respect across the industry. His refusal to bow to political pressure has only enhanced his standing, both within Māori and non-Māori forestry circles.’’

Everyone at Lake Taupō Forest Trust extends their congratulations to John for his mahi.

NZFM is co-owned by the Trust through our commercial arm (Tupu Angitu) and Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust.

Forest skills on show

NZ Forest Managers recently held their first silviculture competition. The event celebrates well-being, community, integrity, environmental stewardship and manaakitanga.

The one-day competition began with a motivational korero by comedian and TV personality Pio Terei.

Crews then showcased their skills in planting, thinning and pruning, highlighting the expertise required in this vital sector.

The Trust recognises and appreciates the hard work of all our forestry contractors over the past year.

Milestone for Rotoaira

Our staff and trustees were pleased to tautoko our whānau at Lake Rotoaira Forest Trust (LRFT) to acknowledge the start of the second rotation harvesting for Rotoaira Forest – a day long envisaged by original owners and trustees.

 “Today marks a significant milestone as LRFT takes responsibility for the entire forestry management cycle on our whenua,” LRFT chief executive Topia Rameka says.