Landowners, Maori and Experts Unite in Patutahi to Tackle the Future of Land Use in Tairawhiti
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 1 August 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Landowners, Maori and Experts Unite in Patutahi to Tackle the Future of Land Use in Tairawhiti
Over 80 farmers, landowners and community leaders came together on Friday 25 July at the Ngatapa Rugby Clubrooms for a powerful wānanga hosted by the Tairāwhiti Whenua Collective.
With the whenua at the centre, the day focused on land use optimisation and the growing need to collectively shape a secure, climate-resilient future for our people, our economy, and our environment.
Attendees came from across the rohe, including Hangaroa, Rere, Tiniroto, Waerenga-o-Kuri, Manutuke, Waingake, Muriwai and Motu with a shared intention: to better understand the forces driving change across the land, and to explore what it means to lead with purpose in uncertain times.
The event delivered a rare opportunity for open, informed kōrero between local landowners, whenua Māori entities and some of the country’s leading experts in environmental planning, policy, and rural resilience.
Far from a lecture series, the wānanga offered a space to connect, challenge ideas and take away practical, place-based knowledge for immediate use. Throughout the day, conversations moved between the big picture, climate pressures, regulatory change, intergenerational planning, and the immediate actions landowners can take to secure their whenua’s future.
“The conversations were real, relevant and grounded,” said Hilton Collier, CEO of Tairāwhiti Whenua. “There’s a hunger out there for clarity around policy, markets, climate, and what that means for small and large-scale landowners alike.
“This wānanga was about bringing all of that into one space, where people could ask questions and see where they fit in the bigger picture.”
A clear highlight of the day were impactful speakers from around the country including Erica Van Reneen of AgFirst, who offered timely insights into the evolving role of landowners and the importance of aligning whenua management with both regulatory shifts and community expectations.
“Erica van Reenen’s presentation really shifted how I see managing our farm,” said one attendee.
“She challenged us to lead with our values and to think long-term with our whānau at the centre. It gave me confidence that we can navigate change while staying true to what matters most.”
Her presentation, amongst others, struck a chord with many in the room, combining sharp policy awareness with deep appreciation for the realities on the ground.
Throughout all sessions, a strong message emerged: landowners are not alone, there are tools, networks and whānau-led approaches available to support confident, values-driven action.
Attendees consistently praised the event’s balance of expert knowledge and down-to-earth delivery.
Many expressed appreciation for the chance to ask questions in a setting that respected their experience. Rather than prescribing one-size-fits-all solutions, the day encouraged individual and collective reflection, with a clear call to begin planning not just for today, but for the generations to come.
Local landowner feedback underscored the value of the event’s balance between technical expertise and practical relevance. One farmer said, “This is the most useful day I’ve spent in years. It’s helped me connect the dots between what I’m being told to do and what I actually want to do for our land.”
Another commented on the welcoming tone of the day, noting “It wasn’t just information being thrown at us. There was room to ask questions, challenge ideas, and take something away that feels doable.”
A central force in the success of this kaupapa was Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), not simply as a supporter, but as a key leader and backbone organisation in the wider movement for land use transformation. B+LNZ’s commitment to collective impact was felt throughout the day, from their deep sector knowledge to their hands-on support for landowners navigating change.
In Tairāwhiti, where the challenges are complex and the opportunities are uniquely regional, B+LNZ’s presence goes beyond resourcing. It’s about connection, credibility, and unwavering support for whānau, whenua and hauora.
The day was made possible through the support of B+LNZ, Ministry for Primary Industries, Gisborne District Council, LandVision, and the dedicated team behind the Tairāwhiti Whenua Collective. The hope is that this event marks the beginning of a sustained movement across the region, one grounded in shared knowledge, strong relationships, and a deep commitment to kaitiakitanga.
“This wānanga wasn’t just about land use, it was about people. When we bring together, experts, farmers, landowner and community with shared purpose, we create momentum that’s bigger than any one organisation,” from Pania King, Tairāwhiti Whenua Catchment Coordinator and B+LNZ Kairuruku Whenua Māori.
“This is a strong message we try to promote is, “Prosperity is our goal - grounded in Whānau, guided by Whakapapa, and sustained by our Whenua.”
Tairāwhiti Whenua acknowledges Stephen Thompson of Surfing for Farmers, a kaupapa close to the heart of the Collective. The initiative recognises the unique pressures faced by rural men and women, and creates powerful space for reconnection, stress relief, and hauora in action.
Ends
For media enquiries, please contact:
Toni Akana
Communications Specialist | Tairāwhiti Whenua
kiaora@tairawhitiwhenua.co.nz
www.tairawhitiwhenua.co.nz
