Whāngārā Farms chair Hayden Swann presents its He Rau Ake Ake 100-year plan at a launch, with the project team, governance members and Ministry for Primary Industries representatives behind him. Photo / Supplied
Whāngārā Farms chair Hayden Swann presents its He Rau Ake Ake 100-year plan at a launch, with the project team, governance members and Ministry for Primary Industries representatives behind him. Photo / Supplied
Whāngārā Farms has launched its Whenua Optimisation Plan – He Rau Ake Ake – which it has described as “a pioneering 100-year plan integrating long-term vision and cultural heritage with innovative and integrated pathways to optimise land use”.
A media release from Whāngārā Farms says it will “ensure productivitygains, biodiversity, forestry, emission reduction, climate resilience and whānau wellbeing all go hand in hand”.
The land use plan is defined in 200-plus projects set out in time periods for the next 100 years.
“It is forecasted that within 50 of those years, production can be increased by 10% from 23% less land (restored to native), achieving a gross emissions reduction of 19%,” Whāngārā board chair Hayden Swann said.
“Its strength comes from tikanga and science working in harmony together, culminating in a long-term vision and plan for the whenua and future generations.
“Moreover, it does not restrict the choices of those future generations.”
The audience at the launch heard how the plan will integrate long-term vision and cultural heritage with innovative and integrated pathways to optimise land use on Whāngārā Farms. Photo / Supplied
Swann said it would be whanāu-led with taiao (the environment) at the core of all decisions.
Developed in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Māori Agribusiness Climate Action Programme, the plan “sets a national benchmark and methodology for sustainable and culturally grounded land stewardship”.
“The strategy carries our whakapapa forward by ensuring decisions honour the mana, identity and aspirations of future generations through genuine kaitiakitanga,” Swann said.
A key focus will be the protection of cultural sites as land use evolves, including pā, urupā, wetlands, native bush, middens, and waahi tapu, supported by new policies and tikanga-led protocols.
Taiao advisory group and Pakarae Management Committee member Matire Kupenga-Wanoa said: “Such places are living expressions of who we are.”
Business manager and project lead Ray Leach said the plan showed cultural values and commercial performance could work in unison, offering a model for sustainable agriculture across Aotearoa.
The launch of the plan brought together whānau, shareholders, trustees, partners and national representatives to walk the whenua, share kōrero and acknowledge the intergenerational vision guiding Whāngārā Farms.
“Whāngārā Farms welcomes ongoing collaboration as the kaupapa progresses over the next century,” Swann said.
