Whānau development through land is a key focus for Te Puni Kōkiri. It works with Māori and other government agencies to better support Māori land owners to make the most of their whenua.
Photo: Andrew Kendall ,Te Puna Tōpu ō Hokianga Trust
Whenua Māori Programme
A dedicated team in Te Puni Kōkiri is designing and establishing a range of services to better support whānau and owners of Māori freehold land.
This video gives insight into the Taitokerau Māori Forestry Collective, which is increasing the productive use of Māori-owned assets and increasing employment and skills in the region.
Budget 2018
As part of the Government’s commitment to fit-for-purpose services for Māori land owners, $7 million has been set aside for the Whenua Māori Programme.
The Whenua Māori Programme will partner with Māori to support Māori in governing, managing and growing their freehold land interests. In addition, whānau can be supported in their role as responsible stewards of their natural environment.
Our Whenua Māori stories
Keeping Mitimiti going one tree at a time
A collective of Māori land trusts in the north have collaborated with Te Puni Kōkiri and other partners to enhance their future in forestry and maximise the returns on their Māori freehold land. Their efforts are creating jobs for locals in small Far North settlements and setting an example for other Māori landowners interested in forestry. With high rates of Māori land underperforming, this is an example of how the Whenua Māori Programme can assist Māori landowners to develop their land. Read more
A man on a mission to bring people together
This projects links up Te Tai Hauāuru Iwi and Māori land owners with local and central government schemes and it identifies joint land development opportunities among local Māori land owners. This is a small-scale example of what could happen when the Whenua Māori Programme is up-and-running. Read more
Honeys of Te Urewera only the start
With the support of Te Puni Kōkiri, the Tūhoe Tuawhenua Trust has established and developed its Manawa Honey business deep in the Ruatāhuna Valley. The successful enterprise provides rewarewa, tāwari and mānuka honey to around 150 stores around the country. While there business is thriving, the Trust is keen to expand its business and investigate other ways to use their land. The Whenua Māori Programme could potentially assist this Trust in fulfilling its aspirations. Read more
Whenua Māori Fund
With the support of the Whenua Māori Fund, whānau Māori are exploring and fulfilling their aspirations for Māori freehold land. Read more
