Yarning with Purpose: Whenua Conversations that Count

Over the course of one week, Tairāwhiti Whenua hosted two pivotal Yarns, one in Matawai and one in Nūhaka, each rich with kōrero, insight, and connection. These gatherings form part of our ongoing effort to ensure Māori landowners, trustees, and whānau are engaged in meaningful conversations about the future of whenua in Te Tairāwhiti.

Despite relentless winds and rain sweeping across the region, our people turned up in force. They filled the marae, prepared to listen, question, and share. This determination spoke volumes about the enduring strength of our whānau, and their deep sense of responsibility as kaitiaki of the land. The resilience demonstrated in those moments mirrors the wider story of Māori land, shaped by challenge, grounded in whakapapa, and driven by a collective will to adapt and thrive.

Matawai: Conversations Rooted in Reality

At Matawai, the kōrero reflected both pragmatism and hope. Landowners and trustees engaged in open, solution-focused discussion about the pressures and opportunities of land-use change, from forestry and carbon farming to environmental regulation and future markets.

“We’ve been handed this whenua by our tūpuna, but the world looks different now. These sessions give us the tools to navigate that without losing who we are.”

The dialogue revealed a critical shift taking place within our communities: whānau are moving from awareness to action, exploring how intergenerational values and modern practice can align to sustain both whenua and whānau wellbeing. The appetite for practical, culturally grounded solutions was evident, as was the desire for collective learning and peer-to-peer support.

Nūhaka: Optimise Today, Sustain Tomorrow

In Nūhaka, the kaupapa was just as important. Held at the historic Kahungunu Marae, the session titled Optimise Today, Sustain Tomorrow brought together landowners, local leaders, and emerging trustees to examine how economic resilience, environmental responsibility, and cultural continuity can coexist.

“It’s not about being told what to do. It’s about understanding what’s possible.”

The discussion acknowledged the complexity of today’s decision-making environment, while celebrating the knowledge and capability already present within communities. Younger participants brought fresh thinking to questions of diversification and innovation, reinforcing that intergenerational leadership is essential to the long-term vitality of Māori land enterprises.

Insights and Momentum

Across both Yarns, a clear pattern emerged: informed kōrero builds confidence, and confidence builds collective momentum. These spaces enable whānau to engage as decision-makers, not recipients, shaping their own pathways and strengthening systems of local governance. The Yarns also reaffirmed that progress happens most meaningfully in place: on the marae, in shearing sheds, at kitchen tables, where people feel seen, respected, and able to contribute their lived experience.

For Tairāwhiti Whenua, these gatherings represent more than events, they are milestones in a larger systems-change journey. Each Yarn adds depth to our regional understanding of land-use transformation, climate adaptation, and community capability.

We extend our sincere thanks to all who braved the weather, shared their insights, and reaffirmed what has always been true in this region: that when whānau are informed, connected, and united in purpose, the whenua — and the future — are in good hands.

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