Tēnā koutou katoa, 

 

We are aware that information associated with the sale of Kahurānaki Station is starting to be circulated. For clarity, we understand Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Trust was the only local entity to tender for Kahurānaki Station, and were advised our tender was not accepted. Understandably, there is considerable unrest in this disappointing outcome, and naturally a challenging time for many whānau, including trustees, who aspired for the return of this sacred maunga. 

 

Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Trust approached the tender on the basis it was presented, the sale of a sheep and beef farm. Our tender was a balance of commercial and cultural and historical due diligence, which included our aspirations for the return of this whenua. We also acknowledge the significant effort by rangatahi and also whānau to generate a groundswell of support and energy in regard to the tender and the long-term status of our maunga. 

 

Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Trust reiterate that the whakapapa, connections and taonga that is Kahuraanake maunga remain – they preceded the furtive actions by the Crown in the taking of the whenua and they will continue with private ownership into the future. Ultimately, our maunga remains our ancestor and retains its own mana with no one ever owning that! 

 

As Chair, I acknowledge all my fellow trustees who supported the decision to engage in this kaupapa, and submit a tender. Unlike much of the narrative we have seen across media, we agreed to remain silent while due diligence was undertaken, before agreeing on a final position due to its significance to us and commercial sensitivities. Ultimately the previous owners however made a decision which was in the best interests of their whānau.  

 

Moving forward, we will be engaging with the new owners. We intend to convey our history and also set out our aspirations as a Trust - on behalf of whānau, marae, and hapū - and expectations into the future. We live in perpetuity and our maunga and our tīpuna live with us and they continue to be ‘ours’. Like all of our tūtohu whenua, our maunga carries our traditions, identity and history, and Tamatea Pōkai Whenua remains uncompromising to act in the best interests of its maunga, both this generation, and future generations. As we proceed in these processes, we will continue to keep you informed of this kaupapa.

 

Pōhatu Paku 

Chairman 

Tamatea Pōkai Whenua