A message from our chair

                                                                           Mahuru  – September 2025

Ko Te Reo Kākāriki tēnei e mihi ana ki a koutou e noho whānui ana ki te ao.

 

Tēnei te tuku pānui atu kia mōhio koutou mō ngā mahi e kawea nei ki muri, ki mua rānei mō te tupu rākau ki runga i o tātou whenua.

 

Nō reira ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.

 

Ki a rātou kua whetūrangi, e kemokemo mai rā i te rangi, kei te tika ngā kupu e kī a nei.

 

“He tātai tangata ki te whenua, ka ngaro. He tātai whetū ki te rangi, mau tonu, mau tonu.”

 

Nō reira moe mai koutou, okioki atu.

Ka hoki mai ki a tātou e noho nei i te ao marama me te kī.

Tēnā koutou, tēnā rā tātou katoa.

Ka tū mai a Mahuru ki te te pae o te ata.
Ko te Whā o Mahuru, Te Kōanga o te Maara.
Ka mahana te whenua, ka whakaahu anō te ringaringa ki te oneone.
Ko te tīmatanga tēnei o te kōanga i te Whā o Mahuru.

Mahuru is upon us – a time to plan, plant and grow, marking the first phase of summer in the maramataka (Māori lunar calendar). I encourage all whānau to find time to get involved, whether that’s planting seeds of knowledge or for kai.

Also during this time is Mahuru Māori, celebrating our taonga te reo. Kia kaha te reo e te whānau ia rā ia rā. Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu.

We are pleased to be holding another of our taiao wānanga this month and the theme is te kākano – the seed, or te pū.

I am delighted with the interest in the upcoming financial literacy and entrepreneurs’ courses. The recent survey results for these courses give us a big green light for the trust’s strategy to deliver wider and more tangible benefits to our people, with emphasis on education and well-being.

What the survey also showed was email is the No 1 communications tool and preferred contact method. We also see it as our best tool to reach whānau for news, events and Trust business. A recent promotion to get more people on our email list saw another 75 added.

Once again, we are partnering with some of our consultants to provide internships for those studying in any of these specific fields – taiao, accounting and finance, tax advice, and law. Read on to find out more.

Finally, Trustee elections are just around the corner. This election there are four vacancies, so make sure to cast your vote by the 7 November deadline.

Tina Porou, Chair

Kim Hill from Stratigi will be running the courses.

Interest high in financial and entrepreneurship courses

We received an overwhelming response to our recent survey from owners interested in courses on improving their financial skills, making the most of their money and/or looking to get into business.

The Trust is teaming up with Stratigi to run two different one-day courses in October to help people become more financially savvy or kick-start their own business.

Both courses will be led by financial mentor Kim Hill from Stratigi. Kim has a strong drive to help whānau succeed in personal money matters and thrive in business.

The courses align with the Trust’s strategy to lift financial literacy and see more entrepreneurs out there, creating employment opportunities, and helping whānau to get ahead.

The Money Matters workshop will cover key areas like budgeting, banking, insurance and debt. It’ll also touch on planning ahead with things like wills, power of attorney and KiwiSaver/retirement.

The Entrepreneurs’ workshop will cover the various business models and structures, along with compliance, taxation, funding and cashflow basics.

We will shortly contact those who expressed interest in the courses, via the on-line survey. We drew four lucky responses to receive $50 prezzy cards. Congrats to Tania Konui, Hariata Jane Brown, Te Wharau Walker Jnr and Les Patena.

Getting people out into the ngahere is a big focus of the wānanga.

A day out in our taiao

Once again, we’re over-subscribed with the number of people wishing to attend our next “Day out in our taiao”. For those who were successful in registering, we’ll be in touch shortly with more details.

The focus of this upcoming wānanga is te kākano – the seed, or te pū – and it will be hosted by Ngāti Hine at Korohe Marae.

Workshops for the day will include:

• Ahi kā – the home fires are burning, exploring how ash can be used for maara kai.
• Te pū, te more – understanding the creation story as a reflection of how a seed develops from nothing into hua.
• Ngahere visit – connecting with and applying our knowledge in the forest.
• Maara kai – visiting the maara at the marae and learning how to establish one at home.

He taonga nui tēnei mā te whānau – planting seeds of knowledge, of kai, and of connection to our whenua.

We’ll be holding more wānanga over the coming months whānau, so keep an eye out on our Facebook page.

Waitapu Beech was a Whāia Legal intern in 2024

Summer internships ahead

Our 2025/26 summer internships are a great work experience opportunity for our tertiary students.

Interns step out into the real world to gain skills and experience in their chosen study fields and if all goes well, they may also be offered a role after their internship.

This year we have several placements available:

• BFA Business Advisors and Accountants: Offers professional business, accounting and tax advice, with specialist knowledge in property, agribusiness, forestry, transport and more.
• Poipoia: Develops and supports solutions to achieve well-being for whānau, in alignment with our taiao.
• Whāia Legal: Provides legal advice through a uniquely Māori lens.
• Silks Audit Chartered Accountants Ltd: Works face-to-face with clients.

To be eligible, students need to be:

• An owner or beneficiary of an owner.
• Currently studying in one of the fields above.
• Have received a LTFT grant or scholarship for 2025.
• Be able to complete the prescribed timeframe of the internship.

Internships are usually held shortly after exams are completed at the end of the year, and before the first semester starts the following year. If you are interested in attaining one of these internships or simply want to find out more, contact Waka Asher – waka@ltft.co.nz or phone 07 3868839 during office hours.

Dion James is right at home on the whenua.

Capturing our taonga

An outdoor adventurer with a camera is sharing his passion for the Lake Taupō Forest Trust whenua and beyond.

Dion James (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a photographer, writer, fisherman, hunter and example of kaitiakitanga when he is out on the LTFT lands. You may have seen his work on our social platforms and there’s a lot more to come.

Tell us about yourself and your whanau? I am the youngest of three and was born and raised in Kawerau after my parents moved from Tūrangi to work at the mill. I have four children, with my eldest living in Waitahanui who has our two moko. My wife (Te Arawa – Ngāti Pikiao and Tainui) is a family lawyer with her own legal practice in Rotorua.

My whakapapa links back through my mum’s side. My great tupuna was Morehu Downs, who was mum’s koro from Korohe Marae. We would often come back to Tūrangi to the homestead and visit Korohe, especially when there were events on. Sadly mum passed away in 2017 and since then I have wanted to become more involved with our iwi, hapu and whānau events. This has been a big motivator for me.

What do you do to chill? Walking in the ngahere is where I find my peace. It cleanses my wairua. As I enjoy deer hunting, I get to visit and see many tranquil places. Most of the time I am alone, so it’s easy to find peace in this space. Fly-fishing on the awa comes in at a close second. 

What whakatauki best summarises you, Dion James? Whaiwhia te kete matauranga – “Fill the basket of knowledge.” I love listening and learning, trying to absorb as much as I can. For me this is important, I believe a lot of knowledge is getting lost today. Someday, I want to pass my knowledge on to the next generation.

Are you currently studying and what are you studying? Yes, I am studying part-time for a Bachelor in Applied Science (Taiao) through Te Pūkenga.

What did you do before joining LTFT? I worked in forestry for 20 years before moving into tourism. I owned and operated a guided fishing adventure business for nearly three years, hosting many international manuhiri.

For those considering more education after high school, what would you recommend? I would recommend any diploma, degree or course that links directly to the outdoors. I never thought that I would follow this route, having spent so many years working in forestry. But as years pass you realise what is important. And that is te taiao. To understand it and the fight to save it.

You have a cross-section of skills, what did you do to utilise these in your current space? My forestry work and years of hunting have provided me with sharp navigational skills, safety and awareness and knowledge of the ngahere, whenua and awa. Since my time in tourism, I have spent time learning photography and now apply this across the whenua, captivated by the raw beauty. 

Describe the work that you do for LTFT. I currently capture photographic and video content, help organise wānanga, out in the field mahi, site checks and maintenance. I am also training in computer mapping systems.

What’s a typical day in our ngahere look like? With Kaimanawa imposing in the background, some days I could be walking alongside a pristine spring creek, capturing underwater footage or under the canopy of some of our native giants like the tawhai and rimu, making video or capturing and identifying plants with native birds in full chorus. Other days I could be visiting a significant kainga site.

What do you appreciate most about working in the ngahere? The connection with whenua. Working in these spaces, where there is so much history from our ancestors, gives me a sense of belonging.

How has your work shaped your view of Matauranga Māori? Since being involved in this mahi, and primarily on the whenua, there is a deeper understanding of connection and values. I feel the pride of who I am and who my ancestors were like never before.

How would you encourage whānau to be more active as kaitiaki in our ngahere? Engage with whānau in more hands-on experiences such as planting native trees, connecting with native animals, hunting and fishing, trapping pests, walking in the ngahere and connecting with te taiao. Go along to wānanga and listen to the kōrero. I think once whānau connect and learn of what the significant impacts are, they want to take on that role and responsibility.

What can rangatahi do to be active in our taiao?  Get involved in outdoor activities, planting days, hunting and pest control. Education will empower them to make decisions about caring for the taiao.

Kia kaha te reo Māori 

It’s 50 years since the first Te Wiki o te Reo Māori was held in 1975 – a moment born from the vision and determination of whānau, hapū and iwi who fought to keep our reo alive.

Over the past five decades, te reo Māori has grown stronger – from the first petitions to Parliament, to kōhanga reo, kura kaupapa, and everyday conversations in our workplaces, schools and homes. Each word spoken, sung, or shared keeps the heartbeat of our reo alive.

As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that te reo Māori is not just a language – it is a taonga tuku iho, a gift from our tūpuna, and a foundation for future generations.

Honour their legacy by weaving te reo into our daily lives, uplifting one another to learn, speak, and celebrate the beauty of our unique language.

Kia ū, kia manawanui – kia kaha te reo Māori, mō ake tonu atu.

It's Trustee election time

It’s election year with 13 nominations for the four vacant seats on the board of the Lake Taupō Forest Trust.

Voting papers will be posted on Friday 3 October. Voting will close at 12 noon, Monday 7 November.

Voting papers will be sent to all adult members of the Trust who have current contact details.

If you’re not registered, or your details have changed, please notify us immediately so you receive your papers. Call the Trust office on (07) 386 8839.

You can complete the voting papers and return by mail. Or use the individual code supplied to go on-line and vote electronically.

Candidates are: Emerina Adams, George Asher, Heemi Biddle (s), Vanessa Eparaima, Tangonui Kingi (s), Tane Lawless (s), Marama Mariu, Mia Marsden-Matenga (Poroa), Tina Porou (s), Waihaki Rameka, Shaun Seymour, Te Reowhakakotahi, Ngatoru Wall.   (s = sitting trustee)

Facts of Māori forestry 

Anything you want to know about the NZ forestry industry – including Māori forestry – is in the latest annual summary.

The brochure is published yearly by the Forest Owners Association and Ministry for Primary Industries, and contains much information and data.  

There is some interesting reading in “Tātaritanga: Analysis of Māori forestry interests.”

Keeping connected 

Thanks to everyone who got in touch in our recent email sign-up promotion.

Email is our best tool to reach whānau for news, events and Trust business.

If you have whānau who aren’t receiving these pānui, get them to sign up so they are on our database.

All they need to do is email us at general@ltft.co.nz and put “Email sign-up” in the subject line. There’s also a sign-up form on the website.

Our lucky draw winner has been notified and sent her $50 prezzy card. Well done Cheryl.

Do you know these people?

The owners listed below are owed unclaimed money ($1000-$5000) from the Trust.
If you know these people or their uri, we’d appreciate knowing their whereabouts so we can help them get registered and have their monies paid.
Feel free to phone us on 07 386 8839 or visit our office in Tūrangi.
You can also register online: https://ltft.co.nz/owner-registration-form/