History of the Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board

In the Native Reserves Act 1895 the Crown recognised Tūhoe ownership of land in the Urewera. At the beginning of the 20th century the Crown had a commission to determine ownership of land it had reserved. Once the Crown had recognised owners, a Crown Purchasing Office from 1912 to 1921 aggressively purchased land blocks. By the 1920s the Crown owned parcels of land across the Urewera and government proposed a title consolidation.

Tūhoe welcomed the consolidation as it enabled many families to get more economic blocks but the Crown was the big winner as it enabled the Crown to obtain the Urewera National Park. As part of the consolidation the Crown proposed that arterial roads be built and Tūhoe had to contribute 21 thousand pounds, a lot of money in the 1920s. Sir Apirana Ngata objected to the levy pointing out arterial roads are a Crown responsibility. The government proceeded. The 21 thousand pounds was taken but by 1949 many of the roads were still not built. Tūhoe had no access to lawyers so instead petitioned parliament.

1958 Māori Trust Board ACT

After some years the government agreed to a payment of $200,000 and set up by statute the Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board. The beneficiaries of the board were the original land owners who paid the levy for the roads that were never built. Even today only Tūhoe who are descendants of the original land owners who paid the 21 thousand pounds can be registered as a beneficiary.

Lake Waikaremoana

The Crown had been claiming ownership of Lake Waikaremoana even though the court had ruled the lake bed was not Crown property. As late as the 1950s the Crown was still seeking to claim ownership of the lake bed through the courts. The Crown still claims ownership of the water, something the Trust does not accept. In the 1950s the Crown changed tactics and tried to purchase the lake bed but Tūhoe refused.

Faced with the reality that the Crown would use its powers of compulsory acquisition Tūhoe agreed to lease the Lake. As the only Tūhoe-wide trust the Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board was recognised by the Crown to negotiate. The Board refused the fixed term lease that the Crown had used for lakes such as Tarawera and insisted on a revaluation clause. This provision has proved very forward looking and the rental from the Lake is now a major earner for the Trust.

Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board

The Trust was renamed the Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board. The Trust is set up by statute. Its accounts are audited by the Auditor-General. The beneficiary’s rights are therefore guaranteed by law. The Trust has now more than 7000 registered beneficiaries. Every adult beneficiary is entitled to vote for the trustees and to stand for election. Tūhoe no matter where they live, if they are registered, can vote for the trustees.

In 2006 at the last election only one division went to Ballot, Ruātoki. The other three divisions Trust members were selected by Tribal Committee. There are 15 Trustees elected in four divisions, four from Ruatāhuna, Waimana/Maungapōhatu and Ruātoki and three from Waikaremoana.

In 2009 all divisions except Ruatāhuna went to Election.

The Trust has always been run by Tūhoe for Tūhoe. The first board purchased Poronui Station in Taupo as the Trust Board members, who were farmers, could see its potential. The land proved infertile and needed more investment than the trust could afford so a management deal was done with the Lands and Survey Department who developed the station. The board in 1968 sold the station for a reasonable return and the Trust began investing in forestry.

For the members of the current Board elected in 2009, see Profiles>>

Preserving Tūhoe Lands

In the late 60s the Trust was approached by Tūhoe land owners for assistance. The owners owned land in the rohe that was uneconomic and in danger of being lost through unpaid rates. The Trust identified some 4000 hectares of Tuhoe land that was uneconomic to farm and owed around $17,000 in unpaid rates. The Trust determined that saving Tūhoe land from alienation was a purpose of the Trust. The Trust agreed to manage the land on behalf of the owners.

Forestry

The board held talks with forestry companies who said the land was suitable for forestry but were only offering 100 year leases and very low rentals.

The board held out for shorter leases and leases that gave the owners either a fixed amount or a percentage of the stumpage; the price of the log.

The board got the forestry companies down to two rotations and the Crown down to a single rotation. At the time it was a breakthrough for land owners and the best deal any Maori owner had ever received. The Trust is now earning good revenue from these far sighted agreements.

Other Investments

• The board has invested in farms in the rohe.
• These dairy units are being invested in to make them very profitable units.
• The board has a diversified long term investment strategy and also owns some commercial investments in Auckland paying market rents.
• The Trusts current assets are valued at around $35 million dollars.

Education Scholarships

The board has always believed that the way forward for Tūhoe is through education. The Rangihau Scholarship was established in the 90s for post-graduate study. The board has helped hundreds of Tuhoe through educational scholarships and has, as a key objective, promotion of Tūhoe culture, language and identity.

Waitangi Tribunal Claims

The Trust took the lead in the Waitangi Tribunal claim and Tamaroa Nikora, the long time advisor to the board is the first claimant in the Waitangi Tribunal Urewera claim. (The Trust takes great pleasure in the present report that has upheld the claim).

The Trust has been taking a leading role in restoring long-standing Waitangi Tribunal claims.

The beneficiaries are fortunate to have been served by outstanding Trustees. Through the voluntary efforts of those who have gone before Tuhoe has this taonga. The Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board is not a treaty settlement Trust. The Trusts assets are Tūhoe land owner’s assets.

Chairmen

• Sonny White (inaugural chair)
• Renata Rangi
• Te Makarini Tēmara
• Tekotahitanga Tait
• Te Toka Tēmara (present chair)

The Trust has been fortunate to be served by outstanding servants. Appointed in 1960, soon after the Trust formation, Tama Nikora served as advisor for nearly all of the Trust’s existence and now serves as a trustee. From 1973 the board’s accountant was Buddy Nikora. These two men took a leading role in negotiating better forestry leases, a revaluation clause in the Waikaremoana lakebed lease and the original work on the treaty claims.

All beneficiaries owe a debt to all those Tūhoe who have served on the board over the last fifty years and created an asset base for the owners.

2009 Members of the Board

• Te Toka Tēmara (Chairperson) – Ruatāhuna
• Jennifer Takuta-Moses (Deputy Chairperson) – Waikaremoana
• Pou Tēmara – Ruatāhuna
• Rongonui Tahi – Ruatāhuna
• Puke Timoti – Ruatāhuna
• Neuton Lambert – Waikaremoana
• Jennifer Takuta-Moses – Waikaremoana
• Lance Winitana – Waikaremoana
• Martin Rakuraku – Waimana/Maungapōhatu
• Clifford Akuhata – Waimana/Maungapōhatu
• Iharaira Max Tēmara – Waimana/Maungapōhatu
• Marie Stewart – Waimana/Maungapōhatu
• Kapi Tupe – Rūātoki
• Hiria Hape – Rūātoki
• Hana Harawira – Rūātoki
• Tamaroa Nikora – Rūātoki