Environmental Planning Underway

February 2022

In 2021 the Ōtaki and Porirua Trust Board (ŌPTB) announced that its 80 year old dairy operation on the 190 ha Tasman Road block would cease in light of the Trust’s responsibilities as kaitiaki. 

The ŌPTB has engaged three environmental planning experts who whakapapa to the Confederation of Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngāti Toarangatira, and teach the Kaitaikitanga and Pūtaiao Programme at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. They have been asked to scope and deliver a Plan for the future of the land.

This team is comprised of:

  Dr. Mahina-a-rangi Baker, Project Lead. Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga, Ngāti Toarangatira. Mahina-a-rangi has a PhD in environmental planning and experience developing national and iwi-level plans for environmental resource and land management and in developing kaupapa Māori based planning and certification systems.

 Caleb Royal, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga. Caleb is an expert in mahinga kai and broader kaitiakitanga practice and has a background in environmental science. His expertise covers both aquatic and land-based food production. More broadly he is heavily involved with the activities of his hapū in Ōtaki and whānau land collectives.

 Pātaka Moore, Ngāti Raukawa ki te tonga. Pātaka is an expert in oral history which he applies to his work in kaitiakitanga and environmental planning and resource management. This work includes research, gathering of evidence, and informing the practice of kaitiakitanga through his hapū. He has a background in Māori Resource Development and Māori Studies.

The Te Ara Hou team will consult widely with the iwi, carrying out in-depth engagement with key groups. A prelimary report is due in March 2023 and final options in March 2024. 


Iwi Trust Board to exit Dairy Farming in Otaki

January 2021

An iwi Trust Board based in Otaki is making significant changes in 2021 to its land-based farming operations, changes that reflect its commitment to the environment and to future generations.
The historic Ōtaki and Porirua Trusts Board, having managed dairy farming operations in Otaki for a hundred years will exit dairy-farming on Tasman Road, Otaki, at the end of the current season. Its strategic planning over the past three years has reinforced a commitment to Kaitiakitanga following a growing appreciation of the sensitivity of land located between the town and the beach.
Chairperson of the Ōtaki and Porirua Trusts Board (OPTB) Rachael Selby said in the past three years, in developing a strategic plan, the Board had researched land use options across all its holdings. “It is now in a position to implement significant changes.”
Ms Selby said the negative environmental impacts that result from current farming practices on whenua owned by the OPTB will be reduced. The Board can exercise Kaitiakitanga of the land, respect to the iwi owners and the community by proactively reducing the impacts of dairy farming in Otaki. We expect the iwi and the community will recognise the growing acceptance of the need for all landowners to take meaningful steps to restore the environment for future generations.
The board is conscious of its responsibilities to protect land and water, environmental health and the wellbeing of its people that include the beneficiaries, stakeholders and wider community. It also recognises its financial responsibilities and requirement to provide educational scholarships to students.
General Manager Troy Hobson said the Board will relocate its dairy operation to the established dairy farming area at Manakau. He noted the Board is demonstrating both its commitment to Te Mana o te Wai and to managing its environmental footprint into the future.
He supports the Board’s decision and commented that it reflects a broad attitude of doing no harm to the land, water and environment. “It’s a brave decision for a traditional farming entity and is a proactive step towards reducing the negative environmental impacts from our commercial activities.”
Mr Hobson said that increasing urbanisation on Tasman Road could see some form of land use change that may include the provision of housing solutions.
The Board has noted that Iwi members have increasingly called for environmental sustainability and support proactive changes that reflect human relationships with the land.
Background:
The Ōtaki and Porirua Trusts Board is a registered charitable non-profit organisation created under the Ōtaki and Porirua Trusts Act 1943. The Board has 10 members who are appointed by the Governor General; five of whom represent the Diocesan Trusts Board, four representing the Raukawa Marae Trustees, and one representing the Ministry of Education.
The Boards current core business is land based asset management (including dairy farming, land leases and rental properties). The income generated is applied to its scholarship funds, making available scholarships for post-primary education to members up to the age of 20 who whakapapa to the three Iwi of Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga and Ngāti Toa Rangatira.
End
Enquiries: Troy Hobson, GM
021930346

troy.hobson@optb.org.nz

Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt