blog

Whenua Issue 6

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 13:27:40 +1200

Open publication

Whenua Issue 6

Please contact the office for a printed copy.

Whenua Issue 5

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:27:40 +1300

Open publication

Whenua Issue 5

Please contact the office for a printed copy.

Annual General Report

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:27:40 +1300

Open publication

Parininihi Ki Waitotara Annual General Report 2012

The Annual report is a celebration of our journey to date as we look to illustrate to our shareholders the stories behind the numbers.

Please contact the office for a printed copy.

Whenua Issue 4

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:27:40 +1300

Open publication

Whenua Issue 4

This October 2012 issue reflects on the growth of PKW in terms of its organisation and the people who work behind the scenes as well as at board level and celebrates the growth of recent investments.

Please contact the office for a printed copy.

Whenua Issue 3

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:27:40 +1200

Open publication

Whenua Issue 3

In this issue Bev Gibson reflects on her involvement as a Director on the Committee of Management. Junior Doctor Ranginui Flavell gives sage advice for other would be grant recipients. Port Nicholson Fisheries leveraging better value out of their Crayfish quota.

Please contact the office for a printed copy.

Whenua Issue 2

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:46:46 +1200

Open publication

Whenua Issue 2

This is the first printed issue of the newly formatted Whenua magazine that is distributed directly to shareholders to coincide with the half yearly AGM. If you would like a hard copy please contact the office.

Whenua

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:27:40 +1300

Open publication

Kia ora

As we increase our investments in technology on our dairy farms, in the way in which we manage our organisational systems and look at other innovative investments, it seems only fitting that we embrace the new forms of communication that are emerging.

We hope that by presenting this new online magazine our shareholders are able to embrace the use of the internet as it is becoming a more important communication tool in our daily lives.

In accordance with PKW’s commitment to increasing shareholder awareness of their Incorporation PKW intends publishing 4 online editions of Whenua per year. So take a look at the above publication and we look forward to getting feedback.

Nga Mihi

2012 Scholarship Applications

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:16:00 +1300

Applications for the 2012 PKW Trust educational grants will reopen on 1 December 2011.

All applications are done online by clicking on the scholarships page. Applications close on 31 March 2012.

PKW and PKW Trust AGM

Sat, 29 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +1300

Aotearoa Marae, Hastings Rd, Okaiawa

Registrations Begin 9.00am

2011 Committee of Management Election Candidates Announced

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:04:24 +1300

Nominations for the position of Committee Member closed at 5pm Tuesday 25 October. Nine nominations were received. Profiles for this year's candidates can be viewed in PDF format (600kb) by clicking on this link.

Committee of Management Role and Position Requirements

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:29:20 +1300

The Committee of Management is elected to act on behalf of the shareholders to govern the day to day affairs of the Incorporation’s business. When considering someone for nomination to the Committee shareholders should take the time to consider the skills and character needed to govern PKW Incorporation.

The role of a Committee Member of Parininihi ki Waitotara involves:

Representing the best interests of all PKW shareholders by the prudential management of nga taonga tuku iho, the whenua and resources entrusted for the benefit of current and future generations;
Ensuring ongoing accountability of the Incorporation to all PKW shareholders;
Effectively participating in the governance of the Incorporation’s business, strategies and activities in accordance with the policies developed by the Committee;
Representing the position of the Incorporation with central and local government, the public, Maori organisations (eg Federation of Maori Authorities) and importantly, with Iwi and Hapu interests in Taranaki;
Acting, where required, as appointed representatives of the Incorporation’s activities in subsidiary companies;
Establishing overall long and short term goals, objectives and priorities for Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation in meeting the needs of its shareholders;
Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation in meetings its goals through a regular review of programs and services;
Fostering a positive working relationship with other Committee members, and Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation staff
Approving certain corporate activities and transactions - including contracts and agreements; election of new corporate officers; asset purchases and sales, approval of new corporate policies.

Position Requirements

Understanding of Te Ture Whenua Maori Act 1993 and other relevant legislative and constitutional requirements;
Commitment to the vision, mission, values and behaviours of the Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation;
Proven knowledge and skills in one or more areas of Committee governance: Strategic Planning, Communication, Business Acumen, Leadership, Tikanga Maori and Regional Maori Politics, Networking and/or Human Resources;
Willingness to serve on at least one subsidiary committee;
Attendance at bi-monthly Committee of Management meetings;
An approximate time commitment of 2 days per month, (includes meeting preparation and meeting time);
Attendance at the Half Yearly Meeting of Shareholders and Annual General Meeting;
Be informed of the business, activities and services of Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation and PKW Trust and publicly support them;
Prepare for and participate in the discussions and the deliberations of the Committee;
To foster a positive working relationship with other Committee members, and Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation staff; and
Be aware of and abstain from any real or perceived conflict of interest.

Relationships with Schools Important

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:20:03 +1300

PKW is looking to develop closer relationships with Taranaki High Schools in an effort to promote the opportunities that careers in agribusiness can offer young people.

PKW is looking to work with local Taranaki high schools to promote the opportunities farming and agribusiness can offer our young people in order to develop the next generation of Maori land managers. PKW has established links with Hawera High School and Opunake High School as the first step in this process.

Both Hawera and Opunake High Schools offer farm studies as part of their academic offerings and PKW is keen to leverage this and connect more young people to the farming business. Group General Manager Dion Tuuta recently gave a presentation on PKW to Opunake High School students highlighting the opportunities that PKW and agribusiness could offer noting that agribusiness can take people all around the world.

PKW is looking to build on these initial contacts to form stronger links between young people and our farming operations.

Environmental Sustainability Review

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:35:14 +1300

PKW Farms Ltd is undertaking a review of its environmental practices to ensure PKW remains at the forefront of sustainable dairy farming.

“Environmental regulations are always changing,” General Manager of Land Assets, Ranald Gordon said. “This review will ensure we continue exceed established environmental standards.”

PKW Farms Ltd has won numerous Taranaki Regional Council awards for its environmental practices and the impending review will cover all aspects of farm performance including dairy sheds and effluent systems, races and underpasses, riparian planting strips, and silage pits.

“We want to set a benchmark that shareholders can be proud of now and into the future,” Ranald said. “Best practice is always evolving and we can’t be complacent where the environment is concerned.”

The review comes at a time when Government is increasingly focusing its attention on New Zealand’s fresh water management framework.

Farewell to Maree

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:58:59 +1300

Tuesday 20 September 2011 marked the end of over 34 years of Maree Hughes’ service with Parininihi ki Waitotara Incorporation.

Maree was originally recruited by PKW’s first secretary Peter Charleton and Chair Charles Bailey as a school leaver and PKW has played a part of her life ever since. Shareholders will be familiar with Maree who managed the shareholder database and faithfully attended nearly every Annual General Meeting assisting in registrations and the annual election process.

Group General Manager Dion Tuuta says Maree’s institutional memory was phenomenal. “She could remember all sorts of information from the Incorporation’s past which was wonderful. She was a font of wisdom and her experience will be missed.”

General Manager of Land Assets Ranald Gordon worked with Maree for over 25 years. “Maree was responsible for keeping me in line” he said, “She always added to the team approach and knowledge which benefited PKW over her tenure.”

Over the years PKW and the people involved became very special to Maree who, to this day, still wears the greenstone necklace given to her by PKW Chairman Charles Bailey at her twenty-first birthday. Maree was farewelled at a special morning tea with PKW and representatives from Staples Rodway.

PKW Meets Ngai Tahu

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:53:19 +1300

South Island Iwi Ngai Tahu is eyeing up the booming dairying sector and recently met with PKW to build relationships and share knowledge.

“It is good to meet other Maori businesses operating in the sector to share knowledge and compare practices,” Group General Manager Dion Tuuta said, “Ngai Tahu have an opportunity to develop into a national leader in the dairy industry and PKW is happy to work with them to share knowledge.”

Ngai Tahu Property rural operations manager Andrew Clayton outlined the Iwi’s aim of becoming a national leader in sustainable dairying practices. The board of Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu has approved a proposal to trial three dairy farms, with milk production to begin as early as next season.

Ngai Tahu currently manages assets worth $450 million, including 83,600ha of rural land in the South Island, of which 90% has been leased to forestry companies. Ngai Tahu Property has identified 35,000ha of these forestry areas for future development, including dairying. The iwi also owns and operates 29,000ha of high country stations at the head of Wakatipu.

Andrew said Ngai Tahu’s first 3 trial farms will start producing milk in August 2012. "Ngai Tahu is a massive land holder in Canterbury and economically the highest and best uses for this land is to convert it to some form of agricultural use."

The iwi was prepared to take "ownership positions and leadership positions" in regards to its own dairying and water management operations, Andrew said. Ngai Tahu has been working with scientists from Lincoln University to find the right commercial dairy model for the iwi, with the first farm planned for a former forestry block at Eyrewell, North Canterbury.

PKW Group General Manager Dion Tuuta said he was looking forward developing a closer relationship with the Iwi and watching Ngai Tahu progress its dairying operations.

David MacLeod - Fonterra Candidate

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:18:02 +1300

PKW Committee Member David MacLeod has accepted nomination for election to the Fonterra Board of Directors.

David, who was elected to PKW at the 2010 AGM, is excited about the challenge of seeking election to New Zealand’s largest company which PKW has a substantial investment in.

The final candidates for the Fonterra Board of Directors’ Election will be announced on Monday 3 October 2011 following the completion of the Candidate Assessment Panel (CAP) process. The CAP process is a detailed interview process which evaluates candidates for their skills and experience.

Following the outcome of this process candidates must confirm their nomination with the Returning Officer by 3 October. The information gathered from the interviews will be published for Fonterra shareholders as part of the election information pack.

David has met with a number of farmers around the country seeking to understand their views about Fonterra and given them an understanding of what he could bring to the Fonterra Board table.

Fonterra is the worlds leading exporter of dairy products and is responsible for more than a third of international dairy trade. Fonterra’s global supply chain stretches from farms all over New Zealand to customers and consumers in more than 140 countries.

PKW is Fonterra’s largest Taranaki shareholder and milk supplier and is proud to support David in his bid for election to the Board.

Nedina and Teri-Rori Join the Team

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:32:37 +1300

PKW is pleased to introduce two new members to the team, Nedina Hohaia (Taranaki and Te Atiawa) and Teri-Rori Kirkwood (Te Atiawa and Tainui).

Nedina has been appointed as the PKW Registrar and is responsible for managing the PKW shareholder register and assisting shareholders with their enquiries. She has a long and varied career as an office manager, faculty manager (tertiary), human resource recruitment advisor, personal/executive assistant, board secretary, and health promotion advisor with both public and private sector organisations.

Nedina is proactive in whanau and Parihaka papakainga activities and health and fitness; life and career coaching. She is a dedicated rugby and rugby league fan.

Teri-Rori Kirkwood recently began as PKW Administration Assistant in August and was born and raised on a 320 cow farm in Mangatangi

She was educated in Mangatangi and Pukekohe before studying for a Bachelors of Business Administration through Te Wananga o Raukawa. Teri-Rori has previously worked as a private secretary, administrator and finance manager and she continues to be heavily involved in Te Whare Wānanga o Te Pīhopatanga o Aotearoa (Anglican Church).

PKW Chair Takes Up Maori Trustee Role

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:06:03 +1300

PKW Chair, Jamie Tuuta began his new role as the Maori Trust on 23 August 2011 following a powhiri at Pipitea Marae. Three busloads of Taranaki whanui made the 5 hour journey to Wellington to support Jamie as he took up his new position.

Jamie will manage 70 staff based in offices around Aotearoa and be responsible for looking after over 100,000ha of Maori land throughout the country. The Maori Trustee is responsible for looking after the ownership interests of over 190,000 Maori and charged with protecting and building the assets of Maori.

Specific responsibilities include investing and managing funds held in trust, looking after Maori land (and in some cases other assets) where the owners are not known; or where the owners or Maori Land Court have asked the Maori Trustee to take on this role, acting as an agent for Maori land owners (for example managing leases), and looking after certain reserves created in the nineteenth century.

The Maori Trustee was created in the early 20^th century – and was originally the called “Native Trustee”. From 1920 until 1976 (when PKW was established) the Maori Trustee was responsible for administering the Parininihi ki Waitotara lands and was responsible for the amalgamation of the Parininihi ki Waitotara Mega Reserve in 1963. It was this action which created the current PKW shareholding system which gives all shareholders interests in all PKW lands.

The Maori Trustee is now appointed by the Minister of Maori Affairs, for a period of up to five years and Jamie will be retiring from the Committee of Management following the 2011 Annual General Meeting to focus on his new role.

2011 PKW Election Process

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:08:10 +1300

The PKW election process is an annual process run in accordance with the Maori Incorporation’s Constitution Regulations 1994. This year the PKW Committee of Management is seeking nominations for 3 vacancies.

Taari Nicholas and Toko Kapea are retiring by rotation and have indicated they will seek re-election. Jamie Tuuta is retiring from the Committee of Management and is not seeking re-election as a result of his appointment to the role of Maori Trustee.

Nominations close at 5pm Tuesday 25 October 2011. All nominations must be received at the PKW Office by this time. Nominations must be in writing and signed by both the nominee and the shareholder nominating that person. Nominees should supply a recent photo of themselves and a 150 word personal statement setting out their skills and experience and why they are seeking election to the Committee of Management.

The election will take place at the Annual General Meeting to be held at Aoteaora Marae at 10.00am on Saturday 29 October 2011.

Only those shareholders who attend the AGM can vote unless a proxy form is completed. A proxy allows a shareholder who cannot attend the hui to give their voting rights to another attendee to vote on their behalf.

2011/12 Season Kicking Off Well

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 11:59:09 +1300

“The 2011/12 dairy season is shaping up to be another positive year for PKW Farms Ltd.” Says PKW Farms Supervisor, Shane Miles.

The 2010/11 season was PKW Farms Ltd’s best ever in terms of production and financial profitability and 2011/12 looks to be heading the same way with production to the end of August 15,700 kgs ahead of budget.

“This is great news – especially when you consider the tough start to the year.” Shane says. The current season has been testing due a combination of unusual snow falls, extended heavy rainfall and water-logging causing difficult ground conditions. This has affected grass growth rates and depleted pasture cover which has increased reliance on feed supplements.

Thankfully, PKW’s in shed feeding systems have allowed PKW Farms Ltd to maintain cow condition and cover off periods of low grass growth throughout the difficult climatic conditions and early calving requirements.

It is pleasing to note that conditions have been warmer over the last week with grass growth starting to improve. PKW has set a budget of 2.354 million kgs of milk solids for 2011/12 and will be watching production and cost levels closely for the remainder of the year.