Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust

12/06/2026

🌿 National Recognition for Tairāwhiti Restoration

A huge congratulations to Maraetaha Incorporated, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and Gisborne District Council on being named winners of the Ministry for Primary Industries Growing Native Forests Champions Award for Large Scale Restoration at Fieldays.

This national recognition celebrates years of commitment to restoring and protecting our whenua through partnership, long-term thinking and collective action.

It is a powerful example of what can be achieved when mana whenua, iwi, local government and communities work together with a shared vision for future generations.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding achievement. Tairāwhiti can be incredibly proud. 🌱

11/06/2026

Maraetaha Incorporated, te iwi o Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and Gisborne District Council have been named finalists in the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Growing Native Forests Champions Awards, in the Large Scale Restoration Project category, with the national winner set to be announced at Fieldays by Forestry Minister Hon Todd McClay on Friday afternoon.

For Tairāwhiti, this recognition is about much more than an award.

It is acknowledgement of what can be achieved when mana whenua, iwi, local government and community partners come together with a shared vision for the future of our whenua.

‘This award reflects the vision of our tipuna and the commitment of our whānau to restore, protect and enhance our whenua. We thank our whanau for being at the forefront of change. This mahi demonstrates the strength of Partnership, collective leadership and kaitiekitanga. We are proud of what has been achieved, we see this as one step in a much longer journey to ensure our whenua, ngahere and wai continue to thrive for and with our tamariki and mokopuna.’ – Bella Hawkins, Chair, Maraetaha Incorporated.

Regardless of Friday's result, being recognised as a national finalist places a spotlight on the important work underway in Tairāwhiti and the leadership being shown by those investing in the future of our whenua.

Maraetaha Incorporated, te iwi o Ngāi Tāmanuhiri and Gisborne District Council have been named finalists in the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Growing Native Forests Champions Awards, in the Large Scale Restoration Project category, with the national winner set to be announced at Fieldays b...

11/06/2026

🌾BUILDING UNDERSTANDING FOR THE FUTURE OF WHENUA MĀORI FARMING

Yesterday, farm managers from across our Tairāwhiti Whenua network came together with industry experts to explore agricultural emissions, farm performance data and the opportunities and challenges facing the future of whenua Māori farming.

The day was filled with thoughtful discussion, practical insights and honest questions as managers worked through what this information means for their own farming operations and how it can support stronger environmental, economic and intergenerational outcomes.

A huge thank you to Sinead Leahy, Lachie Grant, Tash Wanoa and everyone who shared their expertise, as well as our managers who contributed openly throughout the day. The willingness to engage, challenge ideas and learn from one another is what strengthens both our people and our whenua.

We're already looking forward to the next conversation 🌱

05/06/2026

The Ahuwhenua Trophy remains one of the most prestigious celebrations of excellence in Māori agriculture, recognising innovation, leadership and the enduring strength of our whenua and people.
This year’s finalists are a powerful reflection of the vision and resilience driving Māori agribusiness forward.
Tune in here and watch the awards live on the Ahuwhenua Trophy page as we celebrate the very best of Māori farming and land stewardship across Aotearoa. 🌿

03/06/2026

"Innovation on a grand scale."

What happens when more than 800,000 hectares of Māori-owned whenua starts asking different questions about the future?

This RNZ interview with our CEO Hilton Collier explores the story behind Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust and the whakaaro that continues to guide our work today: that the future of our region lies in solutions that are grounded in our whenua, our people, and our collective ability to innovate together.

From land use change and climate resilience to whānau wellbeing and economic opportunity, this is a conversation about thinking differently, working collectively, and creating pathways that honour both whakapapa and future generations.

Many of the challenges discussed remain just as relevant today, but so too does the opportunity.

🎧 Have a listen and hear why Tairāwhiti continues to lead some of the most important conversations about whenua, resilience and regional transformation in Aotearoa.

26/05/2026

Good dogs. Good people. Good kaupapa. 🐕🔥

Beef + Lamb New Zealand are bringing practical, on-farm learning to Te Tairāwhiti - focused on starting young pups right, building reliable working dogs, and backing our shepherds with real knowledge and support.

From pup training and dog health, to wellbeing kōrero and on-farm tips from some of the best in the game, this is the kind of kaupapa our region needs more of.
We’re proud to see this here for our shepherds and farming whānau - strengthening skills, connection and confidence on the whenua for the next generation coming through.

Get amongst it, e te whānau. Register for this event asap!

25/05/2026

From the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, our region chose collective action over standing still.

This podcast kōrero with our CEO Hilton Collier speaks to the journey of Tairāwhiti Whenua - bringing together Māori agribusiness, whenua resilience, farming innovation and kaupapa Māori to build a stronger future for our people and our land.

We’re incredibly proud that this kaupapa has now been recognised nationally, with our whānau and place-based movement taking home the 2026 Gallagher Innovative Farming Award at the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards.

A huge acknowledgement to the many whānau, landowners, farmers, partners and communities across Te Tairāwhiti who continue to walk this journey together.

Whakarongo mai, e te whānau👇

This episode features Hilton Collier, Gallagher Innovative Farming Award Finalist, CEO, Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust discussing Māori agribusiness, Cyclone Gabrielle recovery, whenua resilience and how commercial farming and kaupapa Māori can work together rather than against each other. Co...

24/05/2026

THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMING LEADERSHIP

The future of farming leadership in Tairāwhiti is already here - grounded in whenua, driven by whānau, and led by a new generation prepared to carry the kaupapa forward. 🌱

Across our region, rangatahi and emerging leaders are stepping up with vision, innovation and a deep commitment to the land and people they serve. This is about more than farming. It’s about intergenerational resilience, leadership and the future of our communities.

Read more here:

Across Te Tairāwhiti, the future of farming is becoming as much a leadership conversation as it is a land-use conversation. Climate pressures, workforce shortages, environmental expectations and rapid technological change are reshaping the agricultural sector at a pace few could have predicted a ge

22/05/2026

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/gisborne-herald/news/tairawhiti-whenua-charitable-trust-wins-at-beef-lamb-new-zealand-awards/SSGWW3UWORBBTMBGCPAJZ7FKFA/

Tairāwhiti Whenua Charitable Trust won a top prize at the B+LNZ awards this week.

21/05/2026

Still making our way home from the Beef + Lamb New Zealand awards 2026, humbled to bring this one back to the East Coast and the many whānau, landowners, farmers and partners who walk alongside this kaupapa every day. 🏆

This recognition belongs to our people and our region. A reminder that when communities move together, big things are possible for our whenua and for the generations coming behind us.

Ngā mihi nui to everyone who continues to back this vision of working together for the betterment of our future generations.

📸: Toni Akana, Huhana Lyndon