When the rentor of a small Māori owned farm near Te Puke opted out ten years early from their lease, the owners didn’t have to think too hard about what to do.

“We had always envisaged that we would take over running of the farm ourselves after the 30 year lease terminated. So although it was earlier than expected, we decided to go for it,” says Te Wharepī Whānau Trust Chairman Rehua Smallman.

And so in 2009, with the help of the Māori Trustee who provided administrative assistance and loan finance, the owners took over management of the 71 hectare farm, increased the herd size from 178 to 200, and achieved a subsequent increase in milk production.

Three years later the Trust entered the farm for the 2012 Ahuwhenua Trophy which acknowledges and celebrates business excellence among Māori in the important pastoral sector.

“At that time we had no thoughts about entering any competition, especially one as prestigious as Ahuwhenua. We were a relatively small operation and would have to compete with the larger and more experienced corporates. However, we were encouraged to enter, more to further our knowledge and experience. What we learnt from the competition was that we were up there with the big guys as far as herd production and profit margins per acreage were concerned,” Rehua says.

The farm was named a finalist in the awards, and while it did not win the top prize, its participation was both educational and inspirational for the Trust. Now the Trust is determined to grow the business so that its 59 shareholders and their whānau, all with links to Ngāti Pukenga, can reap benefits from their land.

That’s where Te Puni Kōkiri comes in.

Te Wharepī Whānau Trust approached Te Moana ā Toi regional office for assistance to develop its strategic vision for the farm.

“Māori are the key catalyst for achieving exceptional quality of life for themselves, their whānau and their communities. We believe that Māori have the capability and aspiration to make choices for themselves, and we support initiatives to help realise that,” says Regional Director Rachel Jones.

“For Te Wharepī Whānau Trust, Te Puni Kōkiri has facilitated, and will continue to facilitate, a series of workshops aimed at developing a future focused strategic vision. This will set out the Trust’s goals and pathways for achievement.

“The workshops will provide trustees with options and opportunities to incorporate their whānau values into the operation of the farm. This will determine how the Trust will develop, protect and enhance their resources for the benefit of owners,” Rachel says.

Rehua says the Trust is relishing the challenge.

“We are endeavouring to structure ourselves to move forward effectively, in line with what other farms of similar acreage are doing. We’re aiming to build our capacity and then expand and diversify so we can provide more benefits to our shareholders to assist in the overall capacity building of the iwi.”

The Trust was recently able to re-instate Kaumātua grants, and is now looking at ways to support whānau with education scholarships and grants to assist with business start up costs.