Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Annual Report 2015

NGĀTI WHAKAUE TRIBAL LANDS

ANNUAL REPORT 2014 – 2015

MANA WHENUA : MANA TĀNGATA

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT

Front row: Dr. Tanira Kingi (WFL Chair), David Thomas (NWTL Chair), Matthew Heke. Back row: Tamarapa Lloyd, Geoffrey Rolleston, Donna Grant, Jackie Aratema

General Manager: Tina Ngatai Executive & Secretarial Staff: Kayla Christiansen & Audrey Herewini Registered Office: Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc. Pukeroa Oruawhata House Level One, 1176 Amohau Street P.O BOX 12015, ROTORUA www.ngatiwhakaue.iwi.nz email: [email protected] 07 348 8887 Accountant: Glenn Hawkins & Associates (GHA) Solicitors: East Brewster Auditors: Iles Casey Bankers: Rabobank Farm Consultants: Perrin Ag Consultants Ltd.

CONTENTS

ANNUAL REPORT 2014 – 2015 ...... 1 COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT ...... 2 CONTENTS ...... 3 AGENDA ...... 4 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 8TH NOVEMBER 2014 ...... 5 ANNUAL REPORTS 2014 – 2015 ...... 12 FROM THE CHAIRMAN ...... 13 GENERAL MANAGER REPORT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15

GRANTS REPORT ...... 19 SCHOLARSHIP REPORT ...... 20 WHAKAUE FARMING LIMITED ...... 21 FINANCIAL REPORTS ...... 26 FINANCIAL SUMMARY...... 27 NGĀTI WHAKAUE EDUCATIONAL TRUST ...... 48 CRITERIA Ngāti Whakaue Educational Trust Scholarships ...... 54 CRITERIA GRANTS INFORMATION SHEET ...... 55 2014 – 2015 GRANT RECIPIENTS ...... 56

AGENDA

1. Apologies 2. Call for General Business 3. Elections (Presentations and Voting) 4. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 8th November 2014 Matters arising 5. Receive NWTL Annual Reports and presentations Chairman’s report – David Thomas General Manager report – Tina Ngatai Grants report – Matthew Heke Scholarships– Donna Grant Whakaue Farming Ltd – Dr Tanira Kingi Nitrates Report – Tamarapa Lloyd 6. Financial Report – Glenn Hawkins a. Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands b. Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Educational Trust 7. Appointment of Auditor 8. Approve Annual Grant 9. General Business

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 8TH NOVEMBER 2014

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT TE PAPAIOURU MARAE, OHINEMUTU, ROTORUA ON SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER 2014 AT 9:30 AM. David Thomas welcomed all in attendance and chaired the meeting of 136 Shareholders (refer Appendix A). The meeting was opened by Pihopa Kingi with a mihimihi and karakia. APOLOGIES: 50 apologies received. (refer Appendix B). RESOLUTION: That the apologies be received. (Wallen Muir / Toni Gandy) Carried ELECTION OF MEMBERS: Chairman announced the election results. Tanira Kingi and Geoff Rolleston have been re-elected and Tamarapa Lloyd, as the only valid nomination received, is appointed to the vacancy. MINUTES: Minutes of the meeting of 9 November 2013 were presented. MATTERS ARISING: Kauae Cemetery: The Chairman said that land would be given for an Urupa, however people will still need to pay for their plots in the same way that they are currently being paid for. AGM Booklet: Wilhelmina Mohi would like to see the AGM Booklet earlier then the day of the Hui. RESOLUTION: That the minutes of the meeting held on the 9TH November 2013 are confirmed. ( Josie Scott / Iris Thomas ) Carried CHAIRMANS REPORT (David Thomas) The Chairman presented his report.  NWTL has reduced its bank loan debt by 1.5 million this year.  We received good returns on log prices in forestry 13/14 year.  On the 14th of November 2014, NWTL will be the owner of what was going to be Gray’s Funeral Home, at Kauae.  The leases for Okataina 10 and Okoheriki 2C4C3 have been returned.  NWTL have changed bank services from BNZ to Rabobank.  Committee members are now taking fees following the request to do so at last year’s AGM. The Chairman thanked all Staff including the Professional Staff, Farm Staff and the Committee of Management for all their work. The Chairman also thanked the Shareholders for their continued support. RESOLUTION: That the Chairman’s report be received. (David Thomas / Monty Morrison ) Carried Maria Ihaia asked why the Committee purchased the Funeral Home. The Chairman said that this is considered to be a good investment and that there is a party interested in using some of the buildings on site. Mary Kusabs asked why we changed banks. Advised that RaboBank is an International Company that focuses on Farming.

GENERAL MANAGER REPORT (Tina Ngatai)  Farm Tour 2014  NWTL website – currently being upgraded.  NWTL Grants – Grants started on 1 April 2014. We have kept this simple to keep costs down. Key criteria for Health Grants is you must be a Shareholder. Josie Scott, Matt Heke, Candice Richards and the GM are the Grants Committee.  Whakaue Whakanuia – NWTL has supported this initiative financially and have given support for the next two years also.  Ngāti Whakaue Educational Trust – The trust deed limits grants to educational use only. Established in the 1990 it has a balance of $75,000. Investigation shows we can’t vary the deed, without considerable legal costs, or wind it up so the Committee of Management have decided to exhaust the fund over the next three years. A total of $25,000 will be paid out to post graduate scholarships and one scholarship for farming. A decision in 2016 will be made whether the fund will end or continue. Scholarships close Wednesday the 12/11/14.  Shareholder Engagement Hui – 3 themes have come out of Hui: a) Shareholders want whenua to be a touch point for the Iwi. b) Shareholders want to receive benefits - hence the launch of the Grants and Scholarships. c) Dividends that are sustainable. This has highlighted the need to manage the Unclaimed dividends and reduce this liability along with ensuring we manage any new distributions.  Noted the new signage on the lands to show people who the owners are.  Community use of our land – Putting rules around the use of our land and getting a commercial return on this. Unclaimed funds: Maria Ihaia asked how we could find missing shareholders. NWTL will use the website mainly as this is the most cost effective method of doing so however the majority of missing owners are those who are deceased and haven’t been succeeded to. Wilhelmina Mohi congratulated General Manager for doing a great job. It sounds like NWTL are moving forward in a positive way. She is interested in being a part of any other Shareholders Hui. RESOLUTION: That the General Manager’s report be adopted. (Ruihi Bidios/ Te Mutunga Te Tomo) Carried WHAKAUE FARMING LTD (Tanira Kingi)  WFL have done particularly well in recovering from the 2013 Drought.  Significant jump in profitability in regards to Sheep and Cattle.  Wagyu-X appear to be growing in line with expectations and has led to a new supply arrangement with export company Firstlight Foods. 7

 Dairy Bull sire policy at Wharenui continues to perform well with cattle revenues on an increase.  Sheep performance is less than expected with a facial eczema outbreak and genetic issues that they are now managing.  Maintaining a firm control on costs has been an important focus.  New Management structure has resulted in a number or changes.  Overall the WFL farm business has a pleasing result with a total operating surplus of $270/ha.  Lake Rotorua Catchment and the BoPRC Rules and Incentives Programme – WFL will need to agree on a Nutrient Farm Plan for each Farm, outlining how to reduce nitrate leaching levels. Tony Wihapi asked for elaboration on the new management structure. Tanira explained that WFL have three Farm Managers and an independent Farm Consultant advising the WFL Committee of Management. Tony says that facial eczema sounds like a major concern. Tanira says that WFL have done a good job in recovering from that. Facial eczema normally follows a drought. Pihopa Kingi asked where the truffles are and Albert Rice asked if any root testing had been done. Tanira advised that we have an investment that is 7 years old and costs $30,000 a year to maintain. We need to see this through. We’ve brought Dave Whalley on for his horticultural and technical expertise. Fungus tests have been done. Truffles are an odd crop to grow. Toni Wihapi asked if there is a point when enough is enough (in regards to Truffles). Tanira advised that yes there will be a point but that is not yet and that decision will be made by the Committee. Tarapuhi Waka asked about the nitrates in the Lake and Mike Fuller asked about whether we have a plan for nitrate leaching. RESOLUTION: That the WFL report be adopted. (Tanira Kingi / Iris Thomas) Carried WFL Strategy and Strategic Goals 2015-2018 – presented by Tanira Kingi showing where WFL have surpassed most of the International benchmarks. Nitrate leaching – advised the opportunities this presented to NWTL and that we are positioned well to take advantage of the funding opportunities being offered by BoPRC and Central Government. FINANCIAL REPORT (Glenn Hawkins) This is our first full year as Accountants for the Incorporation and pleased to produce a good result for you today. He introduced Candice Richards, Client Manager for the Incorporation and the Auditor Mereana Corbett from Iles Casey.

Introduced the financial reports and the group accounts and the subsidiary companies Whakaue Holdings Ltd, Whakaue Property Trust, and Whakaue Farming Ltd . This has reduced from the 7-8 entities we used to have. We have a Qualified Audit Opinion as the Committee of Management has decided to use the rates valuation on corpus lands due to cost of obtaining a separate valuation was around $10,000 for land that we will not sell and this approach is fairly normal by other similar organisations to ours. Income for year shows that 47% has come from livestock & farming in general, 41% from forestry and 4% from wool proceeds and about 8% from our leases. If we look at the income figures this has jumped up by 56% on last year. Most of this has come from harvesting our timber. Expenses in comparison to last year shows a big increase in forestry expenses due to harvest but overall this has increased only by 5%. This has created a very positive surplus, it’s just over $1m and compared to last year which was a $973,000 deficit. So a considerable improvement of over $2m.b This has come from forestry and a good year farming. Have land adjustments this year, land values are down by $0.8m due to the valuation process and the Valuer’s have changed the value from that done 2 years ago. This is added to the adjustment down on the prior year also. Our equity, net worth of the business has decreased by 4% most of this is due to the land values on the corpus land. Ran through the Balance sheet and broke down all the assets and liabilities. Bank loan has dropped from $6m to $4.5m. Good to see this improvement. Have a net equity of $35.6m dollars. In summary we have a net operating surplus up $2m from last year, revenue was up 56% and reduced the loan by a sizable amount. The only negative was the drop in land value which is mostly on corpus land but some drop in the Porikapa property also. Notes to the accounts presented which fully explain the figures and these provide the detail. We have also disclosed the committee fees and the committee took on board the recommendation of the owners last year and have started taking fees after discussion with our office but assure you the committee work very hard for this fee. Ameria McGarvey asked about the 2014 deficit of $943,000 and where is it cleared. Glenn said the loss last year has been covered off by the surplus achieved this year. Wihau Shane Rapana asked what were the operating expenses for Personal expenses. Glenn said this is the staff engaged in the office including the Farm staff and the Corporate office team. The Committee of Management decided the most prudent decision was to pay-off

the bank loan. Wihau asked for clarification on Inventories and Glenn said this was the loss of value of the Porikapa property. Wihau noted that the bank seemed to be making a killing off our land and Glenn said that we did make a concerted effort to get the best loan we can. We have an All-in-one account which gives us a better deal now that we are with RaboBank. America McGarvey asked if we have insurance against the losses for the weather and Glenn replied that we are not able to cover for this type of event. Manawanui Tuhoro asked what the $6m loan was for. Glenn replied this was spent on property development approximately 10 years ago on Crater Lake Farm and creating a master plan for the Wharenui Block. The Committee started a plan to change NW Land use in the year 2000 and are still suffering from the change of land values. Putting land valuation in place costs a large amount of money and takes a long time to eventuate. RESOLUTION: That the annual accounts for the year ended 30th June 2014 be approved. ( Tony Wihapi / Tupara Morrison ) Carried APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR & SHARE VALUER RESOLUTION: That Iles Casey Chartered Accountants be appointed auditors for the ensuing year. ( Monty Morrison /Tony Gandhi ) Carried NGĀTI WHAKAUE TRIBAL LANDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST The Financial Report was presented. This fund is to provide post graduate scholarship’s as explained in the GM report. RESOLUTION: That the Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Education Trust Accounts be accepted. (Selwyn Bennett/ Haehaetu Barrett ) Carried GENERAL BUSINESS: 1. Several shareholders asked how the plots at Kauae were allocated. David advised that this had nothing to do with NWTL but as several of the Kauae trustees were present he asked them to address the meeting. Pihopa Kingi then provided information on this. 2. David Thomas reiterated that a decision has been made to set aside some land for the Urupa when that is needed. RESOLUTION: Mattew Heke moved that $50,000 be allocated for Grants for 2014/2015. (Matthew Heke/ Walten Muir ) Carried The Chairman thanked the Committee for the work done throughout the year and thanked the Shareholders for their on-going support and attending the meeting. With no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 11:50pm and Pihopa Kingi did the closing karakia.

APPENDIX A:

Attendance Register for Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands AGM, 8 November 2014: Wilhelmina Mohi Iris Thomas Hayward Whanau Trust E Phillips Wihau Shane Rapana Ruihi Bidios Kerehitina Kingi Basil Pakaru Taarati Hughes (Kingi) Haeheatu Barrett Irihapeti Theodore Atareta Paku (Herewini) Pinia Winiata II Greg Steele Wai Kameta Linda Uluave Tupara Morrison Maia Loffley Rice Mihiterina Hohepa HW Mitchell Te Pohe Marion Pita Manawanui Tuhoro Rawiri Te Kowhai Te Wiremu Waaka Christina Rahitana Ramon Winiata Margaret Winiata Patricia Loffley Patihana Takuira-Mita Te Wano Walters Peter Wilson John Norma Renata John Murray Dean Flavell Bonnie Kake Rikki Hurst Titipou Smale Polly Herewini Miriama Risbridge Flavell James Schuster Mary Kusabs Walter Moore Josie Scott Joy Flood Jackie Aratema Francie Watson Anthony Kapua Vicki Bhana Kahira McRae Wiremu Atetini Kingi B Flood Catherine Mary Faulkner Te Whetu Rogers Whanau Trust Merania Pakinga (Hoffman) Irlene Miriama Searancke Matt Heke Maurice Kereopa Albert Yates Eruera Phillips Gloria Forest R Gillies Teresa Smith Myra Hamiora Tere Tapsell Judy Tapsell Michael Rolleston Tane McGarvey Johnson Napia William T Hall W Tawhiri Dulcie Ward Tarapuhi Waaka Marie Vercoe Agnes Morrison Moray Smith Malcolm Short Douglas Hayward Linda Bartlett Rau Manahi Althea Vercoe Richard Vercoe Tilly Hirst Agnes Paul Lorraine Inia Junior Grant Eva Morehu Terina Brown Catherine Te Waaka Elva Corbin Sam Williams Maraea Theodore Maria Rapana Monty Morrison Mereana Corbett Arnold Winiata Ben Parsons John Waaka Mihipa McGrath Tony Wihapi Edie Vercoe Stephen Kopae Ameria McGarvey Richard Harrington Sonia Cooper Michael Phillips Hariata Ririnui Margaret Shaw Glady Martin Patangata Aranga Louise Theodore Toni Roimata Gandy Martha Majarey Pip Hamiora Mary Hodge Hori Rolleston Terita Roberts Wipori Whareaorere Te Hura Maaka-Mark Tania Butcher Marie Te Tomo Miriama Morehu Maryanne Kutia Anu Acraman Tanira Kingi David Thomas Tina Ngatai Donna Grant Rotohiko Forest John Vercoe Geoff Rolleston Jackie Aratema 4 illegible signatures Total-136 APPENDIX B: Apologies Register for Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands AGM, 8 November 2014: Paterihia Meager Hikatarewa Mataira Barnett Vercoe Arana Pene Lyn Vercoe Waereti Tait-Rolleston Lauren James Ana Morrison Christine Tierney Kingi Biddle Murray Short Nimbus Staniland Runa Parker Dave Herewini Maxine Rennie Heather Berkett Rama McIlwraith Ernest Butcher Piripi Searancke Ranea Nuri Monty R Curtis Ngahuia Te Awekotuku Tamarapa Lloyd Chris Carre Arthur Bone Rongomai McLean Taiawhio McLean Lyn Vercoe Irehapeti McLean Piwiki Heke John Marino Irene Pene Bea Yates Eugene Phillips Joe Gordon Thomas McKeown Maria Ihaia Lucky Ihaia Bertram Moengaroa Donna Phillips Simon Barakat Edith Hunuhunu Grace Dorset Pep Carruthers John Short Dan Phillips Tina Phillips Peter Kingi Hiria Witahu Aranga Whanau Trust 1 illegible signatures Total = 50

ANNUAL REPORTS 2014 – 2015

Ngā whakaahua from Top to Bottom: Kauae Site (Formerly Grays Funeral Home), Tihi-o-Tonga Shearers Quarters, Ngongotahā Station House, Tihi-o-Tonga Farm House

FROM THE CHAIRMAN NGĀTI WHAKAUE TRIBAL LANDS INCORPORATION

E ngā karangamaha o Ngāti Whakaue

Tēnā tātou katoa

Welcome to the 54th AGM of Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Incorporation. I am pleased to report that we have completed another year of solid financial performance and progressed our ability to deliver healthy income streams beyond farming. We have also improved our development and management of key stakeholder relationships.

When I review our financial performance over the past 5 years I note that, other than the 2013 drought year, we have had good financial returns including a significant reduction in our bank debt. A significant contributor to this has been our forestry returns which came to a stop in May 2015 with further harvesting unlikely to resume before 2023.

Strong beef and lamb prices, improved farm management practices and the development of better channels to market have seen our farming operation lift itself into the top bracket of performers within the region. It is encouraging to see that the farming company has plans for further improvement.

The 2015 year has seen a strong focus on improving rental returns for land usage other than farming. We expect this to continue to improve, particularly if some of the projects we are investigating come to fruition.

I would like to acknowledge the excellent efforts of both our farming and administration teams in striving to improve our performance and offer better service to our shareholders. The performance of our key service providers, GHA, Perrin Ag, and Rabobank, continues to support our decision to change. Our thanks once again go to our Audit provider Iles Casey. Tamarapa Lloyd was elected to the Committee of Management at last year’s AGM and he and the other members have worked diligently to improve the Incorporation’s performance. My thanks go to them also.

While we have delivered good returns and there are some exciting possibilities in the pipeline it is essential that we replace the forestry returns. This is one of the committee’s most important challenges and overcoming that challenge will most likely involve significant change. To that end, we are exploring what opportunities there are for us through accessing the government (central and local) fund established to facilitate the reduction of nutrient discharge from farms into Lake Rotorua. This will then provide us with the money to more positively progress opportunities to grow the Incorporation.

Finally, I would like to thank you our shareholders for your patience, and your guidance, in the difficult times we have faced and look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.

Kia ora mai anō.

David Thomas

Chair, Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

TINA NGATAI

The 2014/15 year saw the end of our 2012-2015 Strategic Plan which had a strong focus on getting back to our core business activities and reducing debt. At the 2012 AGM I presented my first report and outlined the focus of my role as General Manager which was to:

1. Reduce or contain our fixed costs 2. Sell non-essential or unaligned assets to pay down debt 3. Seek opportunities to make or generate additional revenue streams 4. Meet or exceed targets 5. Investigate options for income diversification to remove our heavy reliance on farming income. I am very pleased to report that all of these have been met and we continue to investigate diversification options that complement our business activities. This can be demonstrated by the debt reduction which you will see has been reduced in this time from $6m to under $4m and return from non-farming activities has increased from $274,203 to $648,025. We have also seen an improved engagement with owners through our Grants and Scholarship programs and improved the Farm tour to include ngā korero o Whakaue rather than just a farming focus. We have changed Accountants and Banks over this period as well and improved on the majority of our lease arrangements. The Incorporation also continues to maintain and develop key networks and relationships within the Rotorua Community.

Our whakatauki – Mana Whenua : Mana Tāngata along with our core values Kaitiakitanga, Manaakitanga, Whakapono and Kotahitanga lie at the heart of all we do.

Strategic Plan 2015-2018 - We have completed a Strategic Plan for 2015-2018, which I have attached in brief. This is largely built on two platforms:  Growth and,  Providing benefits to the Shareholders. We need to do these things well and sustainably, without risk to our current assets.

The shift away from debt reduction and consolidating means that we can now concentrate on growing the business and looking at benefits for the shareholders and wider whanau.

Corporate Office – it was a real boost for me personally when the Committee of Management agreed that I could increase my office assistant hours from 8 hours per week to 30 hours. Kayla Christiansen has been appointed to this role and is proving to be excellent. Wendy Biddle left to take up a role at the local Kohanga Reo and her vibrant and energetic personality is sorely missed. Kayla together with Audrey Herewini run the day to day office and interactions with our shareholders and I hope that many of you are making the most of the opportunity to visit us and have a korero.

From these visits and at other events we try to stay close to what our shareholders require from the Incorporation and whilst it can take time to implement some of your recommendations we are really listening. An example of that is the Tangata Whakairo at Kauae Cemetery, whose condition has been raised at each AGM since I have been your GM. I am pleased to report that we have been able to take steps to have this repaired this year and I hope that the restoration will be completed by the end of the year.

Leases: We have also been working hard to increase our Passive Income streams; these are leases and one-off events that produce a standard rental year after year without needing to worry about the weather or global economy. We were able to secure small amounts of rental from Crankworks, BOP Eventing, Rotorua Car Club and others for one off events. We still hold a lease of Okataina 10 block which was entered into to support the Crater Lake venture, this is currently sub-leased to the owners of that property but we have been negotiating with the Trustees of Okataina 10 for a surrender if possible.

As you will be aware we took over the Kauae site (formerly Gray’s Funeral Home) early in the New Year. We paid a minimal amount for the site following a report from a registered valuer however getting this site compliant with Rotorua Lakes Council requirements in order that it can be leased has been challenging and costly but I am happy to report that the large main building and workshop are being leased to Manaaki Ora Trust for their Te Utuhina Manaakitanga residential centre. The 2 houses on the site are still being negotiated with another party but it is too early to confirm the lessee at this stage.

During the year we restored the Sloane Avenue House and put this up for rent as well as the Ngongotahā farm house. We have a number of other possible lease opportunities in the pipeline including Wingspan whose lease we will be firming up over the coming months. In addition to this are several projects I am investigating including renovating the Tihi-o-tonga Shearers quarters which have been obsolete for some time, working with MBIE (Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment) looking at land-use options including tourism and commercial opportunities. We have had a number of offers of lease from other parties which after scrutiny were rejected or negotiations ended. We need to ensure that all leases complement our current activities and offer a return that recognises the value of the land that we bring to the table.

We have also been working with Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust and Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust to see if we can develop an Iwi Housing Policy to get our children into owning their own homes. Only 36% of Ngāti Whakaue tāngata own their own homes, those statistics need to change.

Forestry: The Forestry harvesting ended at 30 June 2015 including restocking that area of approximately 18 hectares. The next forestry plots fall due around 2023 although these could be harvested earlier if we wish and the market is right. We completed the forestry plots on our post 1990 forests and received another 8,510 NZUs from New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme which you will see at Note 11 to the accounts. We are now fully compliant with requirements under the scheme and we will be investigating whether some of the units could be traded over the coming months.

In closing: we face many challenges over the coming months. Nitrates that could restrict our farming activity, the review of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 which sets out our obligations and responsibilities, the new Health and Safety Laws will set more restrictions on our farms and access onto the land, to name only three. Keeping current with these changes and others means that we can plan the effect and have a sound strategy before they come into force.

The Committee of Management decided to hold the Farm Tours every two years to ensure we have the capacity to manage these. So this will take place on 12 March 2016 (weather dependent). I hope you will join us this year.

We have both a Website and Facebook page now and provide weekly updates on different aspects of the work we are doing to keep you informed.

The Incorporation was setup by the Maori Land Court in 1961 however we did not hold Annual General Meetings until 1963 and then held two in the one year. This means that next year we will celebrate our 55th Annual General Meeting.

I am very proud to have been a part of the team that has improved the outlook for the Incorporation. The future looks bright with our farms performing well and our passive income improving in a way that complements our whenua.

Tina Ngatai General Manager

NWTL STRATEGIC PLAN 2015 – 2018

MANA WHENUA: MANA TĀNGATA

Our Values:

Value Actions Value Actions We will take personal Kaitiaki We will nurture our natural Whakapono responsibility for our actions (Sustainability) resources and people for a (Integrity) and will be open, honest and prosperous future ethical in our behaviour Aroha We will give our best to We will collaborate and support Kotahitanga (Excellence) benefit the organisation collective endeavours for the (Partnership) and our people benefit of the tribe

Our Vision: Our Mission: To be a significant contributor to the To safeguard and improve corpus lands, grow wellbeing and advancement of Ngāti our assets, build capacity and increase the Whakaue lands and people. wellbeing of Ngāti Whakaue.

Strategic Focus and Initiatives

COMMERCIAL SHAREHOLDERS receive benefits that are To increase the returns from our business meaningful and sustainable activities by: 1. Developing a debt to asset ratio of <30% We will develop benefits for our owners that 2. Achieving a 5% or better net return on include: cash-flow each year 1. Opportunities to work on our land 3. Exploring land use options 2. Benefits for the Marae and cultural activities 3. Capacity building FARMING AND LANDUSE DIVERSITY 4. Support for Housing and employment To ensure that: 5. Cultural Performance Indicators 1. Farming returns meet our commercial and reputational aspirations 2. Land-use diversity is continued in order to COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIPS improve our passive income streams 1. To act with other Ngāti Whakaue entities to: i. Develop business opportunities that support and enhance the tribe REPUTATION ii. Meet the needs of tribal members 1. We will understand and promote the legacy (individually and collectively) that the Incorporation has in the community 2. To act with other economic entities to 2. We will ensure we are recognised nationally diversify our commercial portfolio for best practice and innovation in our landuse activities

GRANTS REPORT E ngā mana, e ngā reo, E ngā whakahuahuatanga o Ngāti Whakaue, Tēnā tātou katoa

On behalf of the Grants Committee, it is my pleasure to report on the 2014/ 2015 Year Grants. Our committee include the General Manager Tina Ngatai, Candice Richards on behalf of our Accounting firm, GHA and our independent member Josie Scott. In the last financial year we have really started to see our owners making use of these funds and have received applications from many different whānau which is good to see. Up to 30 June 2015 we were able to approve 32 Health, 5 Tangihanga, 5 Marae and 8 Discretionary Grants. Therefore we have utilised $41,414.81 of the $50,000 approved at our last AGM. As you can see, there are still funds that we were unable to distribute. We have a Website and Facebook page where reminders are sent about the Grants and we would like to encourage the owners to let their whānau know to apply as well. We are also investigating ways to improve the benefits to the Whānau Trusts as it is too limited at the moment.

The Discretionary Grants pool has been a beneficial resource for owners to support a number of important kaupapa within our Iwi. For example, we have been able to tautoko Tunohopu Marae with a Grant toward the Geothermal Damage they are experiencing along with again being able to sponsor the Whakaue Whakanuia and contribute to the upgrade of the kitchen developments at Te Kuirau Marae. A further highlight this year for the Grants Committee has been the restoration of the Tekoteko at Kauae Urupa. As an item raised year after year at our AGM’s we were pleased to award a Grant for this work to go ahead.

In this past year we also set up the ‘Tikanga Fund’. We understood the time, finances and resource it took for our koeke, paepae and Iwi to attend the numerous tangihanga and events that essentially uphold the mana of Ngāti Whakaue. The Incorporation made funds available to selected Iwi delegates to use for things such as koha and transport costs. These delegates are also responsible for ensuring the funds are used appropriately and we have been receiving receipts and updates on the various Ngāti Whakaue matters this fund has contributed to.

We have made some alterations to our Grants Criteria which you can see at the end of the annual report along with a list of Grant recipients from the last year. This has allowed for an increase in Tangihanga Grants from $200 to $300 per year. In closing, we as the Grants Committee believe these funds are proving to be very beneficial to not only our owners individually, but they are also having a positive effect on our Iwi as a whole. Therefore, I would like to propose the following: Resolution: That $50,000 be allocated for Grants for 2015/16 Year

Matthew Heke Chairman of the Grants Committee

SCHOLARSHIP REPORT E te Iwi whānui, ngā kohikohinga kakano tātou Kei konei e mihi ana, Tēnā tātou katoa This has been an exciting year for the Educational Trust as it has entered its first distribution of Scholarships. This fund was made available for individuals to apply who were undertaking Post graduate studies related to the Incorporations business enterprises such as Business, Agribusiness including science related studies, Accounting and Environmental studies. Five $5,000 Scholarships were made available, one of which reserved for Farming and not necessarily at Post-Graduate Level. We received a number of excellent applications and found 6 Scholarship recipients. Therefore, the Sub-Committee along with the General Manager decided to distribute the funds amongst all 6 applicants. We believe that Ngāti Whakaue will reap great benefit from our inaugural recipient group and in December last year, we awarded Carlo Tuhakaraina, Leonie Rei Nicholls, Lania Holt, Lana Te Rani Ngawhika and Keri-Anne Wikitera (pictured to the right) with a Scholarship of $4,600 each. All of these individuals are undertaking Post-Graduate Studies at either Waikato University, Waiariki Polytechnic or AUT. The sixth applicant we felt would really benefit from a Scholarship was one of our rangatahi, Ihakara Huingahau Pene (pictured with whānau). Ihakara was studying a National Certificate in Farming Skills – Level 3 at Taratahi Agricultural Centre in Masterton. He was awarded a $2,000 Scholarship and a recommendation was made to Whakaue Farming Limited that he be employed during the School Holidays. This was approved and we received feedback to say that Ihakara performed excellently on the farms and that WFL would definitely consider him for future work. In closing, this has been a productive year for the Ngāti Whakaue Educational Trust and we believe these scholarships are going to be a beneficial investment into the future of our people.

Mauri Ora,

Donna Grant Committee of Management 20

FROM THE CHAIRMAN WHAKAUE FARMING LIMITED

Kia ora tātou Ngāti Whakaue,

It is my pleasure to present the 2015 Whakaue Farming Ltd report on behalf of the board of directors.

The year to June 30, 2015 was characterised by three main factors. First, the implementation of a number of changes to our production systems to strengthen the farms’ resilience to climate change (i.e. drought and El Nino weather patterns). Second, the development of key partnerships to increase our marketing options. And, third the positioning of WFL to reduce the impacts of the proposed nitrate reduction Rules that are being introduced by BoPRC in the beginning of 2016 and to take advantage of the Nitrate Incentives Scheme that was introduced earlier this year. These will be covered in more detail below.

Summary of WFL performance for the past year

Sheep and wool revenue

Lamb numbers sold this year were 12,375 compared to 8,891 in 2014. Total number of sheep sold this year resulted in $1.453m gross revenue compared to $1.151m in 2014. Lambing percentage this year at 119% was lower than 2014 average of 137% with average lamb weights of 17.8kg cwt same as 2014. The net result for 2015 was $0.931 (compared to $1.117m in 2014, due to the lower lambing percentage). Lamb prices have been boosted by the Awhina/Alliance supply contract that WFL signed up to 2 years ago. This has proven to be an extremely advantageous arrangement and WFL has supported Awhina efforts to develop a beef supply arrangement along with support for the Red Meat Profit Partnership Programme (see below). Wool prices have maintained relatively high in 2015 leading to revenue of $242,000.

Beef revenue

Beef cattle numbers sold in 2015 were 938 in comparison to 1,571 in 2014. Weights and market prices are outlined in Table 1 below. Lower gross beef returns of $1.363m compared to $1.852m in 2014 still led to a net result (including changes in values and numbers) of $1.105m compared to $0.987m in 2014).

Key Indicator 5 year target 2014/15 2013/14 2012/13 (average)

Lambs cwt 18kg 17.8kg 17.8kg 16.6kg Steers cwt 287kg 281.3kg 265.9kg 275kg 270kg Bulls cwt 281kg 283kg 275kg Lambing % 138% 119% 137% 127% CalvingC % 90% n/a n/a n/a EFS/SU $34/SU $29/SU $8.80/SU ($26/SU) EFS/Ha $359/ha $287/ha $219/ha ($216)/ha

Table 1: WFL Key Performance Indicators

Sheep & Beef Policies

Facial eczema is a long standing problem across the 3 farms and the board and management team have made a concerted effort to address it by improving the flock genetics. It is however, a problem that takes several years to get on top of. We expect to see the impacts of our genetics programme over the next 3-5 years.

Cattle policies that were introduced 2 years ago are all performing to expectations. We have adopted a more flexible cattle policy aimed at increasing revenue streams e.g. heifer and winter cow grazing while also enabling greater freedom to respond to market and climatic shifts. More on this in the following section on climate change risks.

The new cropping and regrassing program is starting to lift pasture performance. Additional innovations are being investigated to further improve pasture quality. These include trialling chicory and plantain along with fodder beat crops.

Research Partnerships – Red Meat Profit Partnership (Awhina and Alliance Foods)

Staying abreast of technology and innovations in the pastoral sector is a key focus of the WFL directors and management team. The farms have been involved in several research projects over the past 20 years and this year WFL was approached by Awhina to join the Alliance Foods research project that is funded by the Beef & Lamb NZ Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) – Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP). Awhina is a collective of Māori farming entities that originated among a group of Tuwharetoa blocks within the Northern and Western catchments of Lake Taupo. These included Waipapa, Hauhungaroa and Tuaropaki Trusts. In recent years they have been joined by Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāti Kahungunu entities. WFL has joined the Awhina lamb supply contract with Alliance and has

also joined the RMPP programme. This will involve establishing a benchmarking and monitoring programme between the participants to identify the effectiveness of key interventions to increase productivity and efficiency. All of WFLs farms are utilising the latest farm monitoring programmes and so this project will require minimum investment for significant benefit. Other partners include Tautara Matawhaura Trust, Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, Tarawera Station (Te Awahohonu Trust), Opepe Trust and Pukepoto Trust.

Firstlight Foods and Wagyu

While the prices for the Wagyu beef in the past year ended up being lower than the traditional beef markets, the cattle performed in line with expectations. WFL started a trial of Wagyu x Angus steers and the quality indicators (i.e. marbeling scores) have met our expectations. Our relationship with Firstlight Foods Ltd is growing and we are in discussion with Tairawhiti, Tuwharetoa and Taranaki Māori producers to look at options for an expanded Iwi investment in the company. Prices for Wagyu are increasing in the current season and our expectations are that we will exceed the traditional beef market. Our partnership with Firstlight Foods however, is a long-term strategic investment aimed at providing greater opportunity to partner with an innovative exporter that is prepared to build the brand around Māori supply. The partnership will also provide greater price stability or less price volatility in comparison to farmers that increase supply to traditional meat exporters in response to high spot market prices. WFL is one of the largest Wagyu producers for Firstlight Foods and we are very pleased with our investment in the product line and we look forward to a growing partnership. Climate Change Challenges Many of you will remember the 2012 – 2013 drought that devastated much of the country’s agricultural sector. An El Nino weather pattern has been predicted for 2016 which is likely to bring lower rainfall over summer and cooler spring and autumn temperatures. The net effect will be more challenging pasture growing conditions putting pressure on feed supply. The management team have developed drought risk matrixes for each farm along with planned responses should rainfall and pasture growth rates reduce to pre-determined thresholds. We are confident that all three farms are prepared for worst case scenarios should they eventuate.

Truffles and Other Horticultural Options Following 2 years of unsuccessful truffle finds WFL made the decision to conduct tests on the truffle trees to see if the truffle inoculation was still active in the rootzone. Samples were sent to a lab for testing. The results showed that the inoculation was not present. Other truffle growers in the Rotorua region that had purchased the plants from the same supplier in 2007 also had samples tested. The results were the same. Several meetings between the growers took place during the past year and the group is considering their options. This includes taking action against the nursery.

The 2015 truffle national conference was held in Rotorua in August and a number of Rotorua growers discussed alternatives.

The lack of truffle production in the Rotorua district and the lack of cohesion in the truffle industry led WFL to decide to reduce its exposure to the sector and to reduce its ongoing costs by reducing the managed area of truffles from 10 hectares to 3 hectares. The remaining 7 hectares will not be managed and will be used for lamb grazing. The truffle trees will remain in situ and the area will be available for trialling horticultural crops given the irrigation infrastructure and shelter that is there.

While the decision to cut back on the truffle area to 3 hectares is in place, it will be managed and monitored and WFL will still be an active member in the NZ association.

Management Team

There have been a couple of changes to the management team in the past year. Steve Hewson joined WFL in April 2015 after 10 years managing Pukeha Station, an intensive breeding/finishing property at Kaharoa. Steve brings with him a wealth of experience in managing high performance ewe flocks and successfully finishing stock in the Rotorua climate. Steve is married to Colleen, a talented shepherd in her own right, and they have two high-school aged children.

Dave Whalley who joined the team in 2014 as the part-time manager of the Wharenui Trufflery has resigned and has taken up a full time position with Te Tumu Paeroa. He is available however, as an advisor to WFL on the management of the trufflery and is currently overseeing the reduction in managed area. Summary and Outlook Overall, the WFL farm business increased its total operating surplus to $337/ha (before internal rentals and group costs) in comparison to $270/ha in 2014. Significant capital investments were made in the 2014/15 season to improve farm health and safety and operating efficiency, including: o Replacement of tractor at Ngongotaha (balance of fleet replaced in July 15) o New cattle yards at Ngongotahā o New fuel storage at Wharenui and Ngongotahā o Partial quad fleet turnover o New floor on fertiliser bin at Tihi-o-tonga o First phase of development of new land at Tihi-o-tonga outside the Rotorua catchment. o Purchase of additional beef cattle for Tihi-o-tonga Some of these capex investments were well overdue and others are needed to underpin the targets that the directors have for farms going forward over the next 5-10 years.

Update on Lake Rotorua Catchment BoPRC Rules and Incentives Programme

At the time of writing this report the final recommendation on the proposed Rules framework for the Lake Rotorua Catchment is being finalised by the Lake Rotorua Stakeholder Advisory Board (LRStAG) and will be submitted to the BoPRC and the Rotorua Te Arawa Lakes Strategy Group (RTALSG). This group is made up of BoPRC, Rotorua Lakes District Council, Te Arawa

Lakes Trust and the Ministry for the Environment and is charged with approving the funding for the Lake Rotorua clean-up. This clean-up is primarily focused on the reduction of nitrates from the pastoral sector.

The Rules will have a significant effect on all farms in the catchment, but primarily the highly intensive dairy and beef producers. WFL is relatively well positioned to limit the impact of the Rules on the productivity of the farms. WFL also has nitrates available to sell to the Lake Rotorua Incentives Board (LRIB) because it had a dairy farm on Wharenui at the time that farms were benchmarked during the 2001-2004 period.

A more detailed description of the sale of the nitrates to BoPRC will be given at the AGM. The process is confidential at this stage and is being led by NWTL in negotiation with the LRIB, since NWTL is the landowner. As the chair of STAG and a director on LRIB I have multiple interests in the negotiation process and the eventual agreement and transaction so have remained at arms-length to the process. I am confident however, that the outcome will be positive for NWTL and WFL. WFL is the largest farming business (by land area) in the catchment, the district and within Te Arawa. The Rules and Incentives programme is an opportunity for NWTL and WFL to demonstrate leadership in the balance between building sustainable farming operations and diversifying into alternative enterprises to safeguard the resilience of the Ngāti Whakaue whenua tuku iho.

In closing I would like to acknowledge Tina Ngatai, NWTL GM, Kayla Christiansen and Audrey Herewini for their support of the board over the past year, Lee Matheson and his team from PerrinAg Ltd for their supervision of the farms, Glenn Hawkins and his team at GHA for accountancy services. The positive results are due to the hard work and dedication of our Farm Management Team - Managers Clive Carrington, Ben Parsons and Steve Hewson and to all of the farm staff and their families.

Tanira Kingi

Chair, Whakaue Farming Limited

FINANCIAL REPORTS

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

INCOME

The statement of Financial Performance for the year ended 30 June 2015, shows total income for the year of $6.1m down 4% compared to last year ($6.4m). The Trust income is predominantly generated from its key activities which are farming and forestry.

$4,000,000 $3,500,000 $3,000,000 $2,500,000 $2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $- -$500,000 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 Livestock Proceeds Timber Proceeds Wool Proceeds Other Income

The biggest contribution towards income was from the three farms, which produced total income of $3,058,740 (50%) compared to $3,241,778 (51%) last year. $2,425,133 (40%) was generated from forestry activities compared to $2,621,580 (41%) last year. Other income was received from rental and lease arrangements and from investment returns.

EXPENSES

There was a 3% decline in operating expenses for the year from $5,334,797 last year down to $5,193,521 this year.

$2,000,000 $1,500,000 $1,000,000 $500,000 $- Operating Farm Other Livestock Personnel Change in -$500,000 Expenses Expenses Expenses Purchases Expenses Livestock Fair Value 2015 2014

Farm operating expenses were steady compared to last year, accounting for 25% of total expenses. The increase in livestock purchase costs was offset by the increase in the value of the livestock on hand ($245,682) due to additional numbers being held and improved livestock values.

Forestry expenses were up 10% compared to last year and they made up 32% ($1.7m) of total expenses as the Incorporation completed its harvesting programme.

As the Incorporation’s overall debt has reduced, interest costs have also dropped by 19% compared to last year from $339,268 to $276,086.

NET SURPLUS

The net operating surplus for the year was $938,377, which is an 11% drop compared to last year ($1,049,229). Taking into account the write-down in development expenses of $261,229, the net surplus for the year is $677,148, compared to $259,229 last year.

BALANCE SHEET

The Incorporation’s balance sheet has seen further improvement this year with growth in equity of 2.5% from $35.6m to $36.5m.

2015 2014 $ $ Current Assets 1,789,965 1,779,790

Non-Current Assets 40,491,124 39,865,878

Total Assets 42,281,089 41,645,668

Current Liabilities 555,164 4,928,029

Non-Current Liabilities 5,228,989 1,108,505

Total Liabilities 5,794,153 6,036,534

NET ASSETS/ TOTAL EQUITY $36,486,936 $35,609,134

Current assets consists of bank funds, accounts receivable, prepayments and land available for sale. Non-current assets includes forestry holdings, livestock on hand and property & equipment. The current value of all land holdings, properties and other plant & equipment is $36.1m.

Current liabilities includes accounts payable, income in advance, employee entitlements, GST and current commitments for existing finance leases.

Non current liabilities includes unclaimed dividends, long term lease commitments and the bank debt.

BANK DEBT

In September last year, the Committee of Management (CoM) refinanced with Rabobank and this year’s result has helped reduce the debt from $4.5m last year to under $4.0m this year. The CoM have developed a strong relationship with Rabobank and have also benefitted from declining interest rates over the past year.

$7,000,000

$6,000,000

$5,000,000

$4,000,000

$3,000,000

$2,000,000

$1,000,000

$- 2015 2014 2013 2012

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

NGĀTI WHAKAUE EDUCATIONAL TRUST

Ngā whakaahua: Top: NWET Scholarship Recipients & Award Ceremony attendees, Bottom: 2014 Whakaue Whakanuia

50 51 52 53

CRITERIA Ngāti Whakaue Educational Trust Scholarships

This fund has been made available by Ngāti Whakaue Educational Trust (NWET) for

1) Post-Graduate studies related to the business of Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Incorporation – these cover areas such as Business, Agribusiness incl. science related study, Accounting and the Environment and

2) Agribusiness/ Farming related study which need not be at a Post-Graduate level.

Eligibility:

Applicants must be a studying at a NZ Tertiary Institution AND be of Ngāti Whakaue descent.

Value and number awarded:

$25,000 each year with at least one scholarship specifically awarded for Agribusiness study which may or may not be at Post Graduate level. We expect to award 5 scholarships annually.

Closing Date:

Presentation of scholarships:

First week of December 2015, official date is to be advised.

How to Apply: 1. Read the Criteria for scholarships and confirm your eligibility to apply. 2. Apply by filling out the Scholarship Application Form and supplying the requested documentation – these maybe found at www.ngatiwhakaue.iwi.nz

Please note; these must be completed correctly as incomplete applications will be declined immediately.

CRITERIA GRANTS INFORMATION SHEET

What Grants are available?

 Tangi Grants: $300 available on application for a deceased Shareholder within the first 6 months of the Tangi occurring.  Health Grants: $300 available for any personal health related matter upon production of receipts.  Discretionary Grants: These Grants are for requests that specifically align to a Ngāti Whakaue Kaupapa and enables NWTL to lift its profile in the community.

Please note: The Incorporation does not give Grants for Birthdays, Sports or Education.

Who can apply?

 Any Shareholder of Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc. may make one application a year only.  Only one application per Whānau trust will be accepted each year. The application can be made by an individual however the application must be signed by at least 2 of the whānau trustees and the applicant must provide the evidence of who the trustees are. (If the applicant is one of the trustees then two others must certify).

What will I need to apply?

 You must complete the application form attached. Please note: All Incorrectly completed or Incomplete forms will be rejected & NWTL will not be seeking further information.  Applicants must include Identification, Bank Account Details and Receipts with this application in order for it to be processed and approved.  You must declare on the application form any other organisations you have sought funding from.  If you are applying through a Whānau Trust, you must provide a copy of your Court Order.

How are the applications processed?

 The Grants Committee meets two monthly to discuss applications– their recommendations are then put to the Committee of Management for approval. Staff can give you an indication as to when they meet. There will be no urgent requests and the decision is final.  You will be advised of the outcome by letter or email and no correspondence will be entered into once the decision has been made.  Any approved grants will be paid to the applicant’s bank account – we will not operate a cheque account. Please note we only reimburse costs already paid for in the case of Health Grants.  Any recipients of large grants (more than $2000) will be requested to report to the Incorporation on the use of those funds.  A list of recipients will be published each year in the Annual report – all recipients who apply do so on the basis that this will occur.

2014 – 2015 GRANT RECIPIENTS

HEALTH: Merania Pakinga Hoffman $300 MARAE: $2000 Barbara Wattereus $300 Tunohopu John William Ransfield $300 Owhata Hohepa Heke $300 Whakaue ki Maketu Grace Barnes $127 Hurungaterangi Eraia Kiel $230 Te Papaiouru Stuart Francis Rika $300

Winipere Caroline Morrison $300 DISCRETIONARY: Beau Kiel $300 Waikite Club $5000 Ruia Mereana Davy $233 Te Kuirau Marae $2000 Nga Matekitawhiti Tari $300 Kauae Whakairo $2000 James Francis Bray $284.25 Whakaue Whakanuia $10000

Louis Perenara $300 Tunohopu Marae $2000 Robert Gillies $300 Maori Affairs Reunion $1000 Vicki Bhana $110 Toni Cummins $200 Rene Mitchell $300 St.Faiths Church $2453.38 Terry Morrison $300 TANGIHANGA: Tangihaere Dodd $249 Robert Trotman $300 Janis Graham $300 Maxine Rennie $300 Henry Anaru $200 Tania Butcher $200 Margaret Dorset $300 Taro Habib $300 Aaron Morrison $200 Ariana Kameta $300 Theodor Whanau Trust $200 Lorna Brell $90 Joy Flood $300 Joyce Minarapa $300

Hazel Rangitauira $300 Peter Staite $300 Lorraine Smith $300 Kataraina Wood $300 Makere Knight $300 Faenza Tapsell $95 Riparata Macfarlane Whānau Trust $300

2014 FARM TOUR

WHAKAUE FARMING LTD

Above: Whakaue Farming Ltd – Geoff Rolleston, David Thomas, Dr Tanira Kingi and Lee Matheson of PerrinAg consultants. Below: Tractor Hand Paul and Farm Manager Wharenui Ben Parsons and Farm Manager Ngongotaha Clive Carrington (absent: Steve Hewson – Farm Manager Tihi-o-tonga and John Vercoe of Wharenui Station)

General Manager & Secretarial Staff

Audrey Herewini Tina Ngatai Kayla Christiansen Reception General Manager Executive Assistant

Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands

1st Floor, Pukeroa Oruawhata House

1176 Amohau Street, Rotorua, Aotearoa

Phone: 07 348 8887

www.ngatiwhakaue.iwi.nz,

Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/ngatiwhakauetriballands