Tupoho increases presence in Whanganui's main street

Tupoho Investments owns the rundown building at right and has a presence in the building at left. Photo / Stuart Munro

Lower Whanganui River iwi group Tupoho is consolidating its presence in Whanganui's main street.

Tupoho Investments leases the former Education Review Office building next door to the Caltex service station in Victoria Ave. It has been renamed Tupoho House and is landbanked, for use in the iwi's upcoming Treaty of Waitangi land settlement.

As well as a commercial tenant the building now houses the Whanganui Land Settlement Negotiation Trust and the Tupoho Iwi & Community Social Services.

The trust is negotiating land settlement in the lower Whanganui River area and the social services have moved from an earlier location.

Next door to that building are two houses, attached together, which used to hold businesses. Tupoho Investments bought them.

"We bought that strategically, because that gives us the whole front of the street," director Ken Mair said.

The rundown buildings will eventually be demolished. What will replace them depends on the settlement and what the iwi decide.

Tupoho is also leasing the former Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic complex between Wicksteed and Keith Sts. It has been renamed the Tupoho Community Complex.

"Most of the buildings are rented out to our own and others for less than market rates. We try and cover the maintenance and repair work, which can be extremely large," Mr Mair said.

Keeping up with maintenance has been "a bit of a challenge".

"It's also beneficial, because it builds our capacity to understand being a landlord."

Another Whanganui property on hold for land settlement is the former Jubilee Hospital property in Aramoho.

Tupoho Investments was incorporated as a company in 2006, and exists for charitable purposes. Its 100 shares are overseen by directors Mr Mair, Sandi Ranginui and Tamara Smith.