Ko Wai Mātou
About Us
We are a charitable trust established to coordinate the restoration, reconnection, and regeneration of Tauhara Maunga and its surrounding whenua. We are accountable to the landowners and to future generations.
OUR GUIDING PROVERB | WHAKATAUĀKĪ
Ka tū a Tauhara, he pou rāhui i te ao tawhito,
e ūī nei ki ngā hau o te wā ka heke.
Ka koropupū te ngākau o Taupō-nui-a-Tia,
he puna manawa, he kōpū mātao, he kōpū wera.
Ka rere whakamau a Waikato, he awa whītau i te mauri,
e hora nei tana manawa ki te tini, ki te mano.
Nā te korohū ka whakakā te ihi o raro,
ka hāpaitia ake te mauri e takoto nei i te kōpū o Papatūānuku.
He taonga tuku iho ēnei,
hei whakakaha, hei whakaora, hei whakaoho i te iwi pēnei i te ao mārama.
Tauhara stands as an ancient sentinel,calling to the winds of generations.
Taupō-nui-a-Tia rises and breathes, a cradle of cool waters and deep hidden fire.
The Waikato River flows steadfast, carrying its life-force to multitudes.
From the geothermal lifeblood, the sacred energies of the earth ascend.
These are treasures handed down, to strengthen, uplift, and awaken the people into the world of light.
OUR STORY | TŌ MĀTOU HAERENGA
Partnership founded upon shared whakapapa
The founding landowners have been building this relationship for over a decade. Through joint owned entities, shared land acquisition, farming leases, and taiao focused projects, Tauhara Mountain Trust, Tauhara Middle 15 Trust, Tauhara North Partnership Ltd and Opepe Farm Trust have established a collective founded upon shared whakapapa and a shared vision for the future.
Today, that collective has evolved, giving rise to new restoration projects and eco-tourism opportunities that reflect shared ambition of the founding landowners for Tauhara Maunga and its surrounding whenua.
OUR PURPOSE | TŌ MĀTOU KAUPAPA
Why the Trust was established
Te Mana o Tauhara exists to enable leveraged collaboration between the constituent land trusts and the community of Taupō. The challenges facing Tauhara Maunga are too large for any one land steward to face alone. Land use change, introduced predators and invasive pests have degraded the whenua and ngahere. Fragmented land management has limited restoration potential at scale. Climate change is intensifying existing pressures, while nutrient and sediment runoff continues to threaten our waterways.
Across 8,500 hectares of Māori-owned land, Te Mana o Tauhara has been established to turn shared aspiration into action, pooling capability, aligning investment, and creating opportunities that no single entity could unlock alone. This is a māori landowner led restoration and an invitation to the rest of the Taupō community to collaborate together for the regeneration of our iconic maunga. Including a Māori-led visitor experience that this region has long been missing.
OUR MANDATE | TŌ MĀTOU MANA WHAKAHAERE
Who we are accountable to
Te Mana o Tauhara Charitable Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees, a collaborative partnership with representatives appointed by each of the four founding landowner entities. This structure ensures our mahi is always accountable to the people who belong to the whenua.
Our mandate is grounded in a Charitable Trust, enabled by formal Trust Deed between the four founding land trust entities, ensuring transparency and accountability.
This layered accountability is what makes us a credible and trusted partner to funders, agencies, and communities who share our commitment to the long-term restoration of Tauhara Maunga and its surrounding whenua.
Ngā Kaitiaki — Our Founding Landowners
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Tauhara Middle 15 Ahu Whenua Trust
TM15 manages 250 hectares of farmland at the base of Tauhara Maunga, representing 4,773 owners.
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Tauhara Mountain Trust
Established to provide kaitiakitanga for Tauhara Maunga, TMOT holds 1,165 hectares recognised as an ecological reserve on behalf of 4,912 owners.
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Tauhara North Partnership Ltd
Formed in 2008 between TM15 and OFT, Tauhara North Limited Partnership holds a strategically significant block of whenua home to 60 hectares of geothermal ecosystems and endemic kānuka.
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Opepe Farm Trust
OFT manages 4,876 hectares of whenua representing 5,960 owners. OFT operates drystock farming, forestry, and invests in commercial partnerships.
Ngā Mātāpono — Our Values
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1. Ngā Mokopuna o Āpōpō — Intergenerational Responsibility
We act for future generations. Every decision we make is weighed against a simple question: will those who come after us be better for it?
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2. Te Mauri o te Whenua — Guided by Mauri
The mauri of the whenua, wai, and taiao guides everything we do. Our mahi is measured not just by what we build or restore, but by whether it lifts and protects the mauri of the landscape.
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3. Kotahitanga — Collective Action and Accountability
We achieve more together than apart. We are clear about our roles, accountable to each other, and committed to building the trusted relationships that make collective action possible.
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4. Tauutuutu — Reciprocity
Reciprocity sits at the heart of our relationship with the whenua. We do not take without giving back. People are in service to the land, and our mahi must reflect that obligation in everything we do.
Ngā Kai Whakahaere — Our Trustees
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Jan Hania
Chairperson
Independent Trustee
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Fred Nicoll
Trustee Representative for Tauhara Mountain Trust
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Heemi Biddle
Trustee Representative for Tauhara Middle 15 Trust
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Ngahere Wall
Trustee Representative for Tauhara North Ltd Partnership
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Temuera Hall
Trustee Representative for Opepe Farm Trust
Ngā Kaimahi — Our Team
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Te Aue Addison-Valaau
Project Director
Opepe Farm Trust
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Skay Rangi
Financial & Contract Management Lead
He Akina Ltd
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Nerilee Long
Project Management & Administration Lead
He Akina Ltd
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Vernon Rameka
Opeperational Management & Relationships Lead
Opepe Farm Trust
