Te Pūrongo ā-Tau 2026 - Annual Report 2026 out now
More than $3 million was invested in improvements across whenua Māori during the past year, supporting projects such as fencing, water infrastructure and environmental restoration.
Te Pūrongo ā-Tau 2026 shares the stories of this mahi and the progress made to support owners, trustees and whānau to realise the potential of their whenua. Te Pūrongo ā-Tau highlights work completed by Te Tumu Paeroa which:
- protects and enhances whenua Māori,
- advances opportunities for Māori land and its owners, and
- builds capability to support self-governance.
Preparing the Annual Report allows for reflection on our progress over the last 12 months. Dr Charlotte Severne, Kaitiaki Māori, says, “Our vision remains unchanged: ensuring whenua Māori is protected and enhanced, now and for generations to come.
“This anchors our work and provides clarity of purpose as we navigate new opportunities and reminds us that whenua Māori is a taonga tuku iho imbued with spiritual essence, whakapapa, identity, responsibility and aspirations across generations.”
Ngā kōrero | Key stories featured in Te Pūrongo ā-Tau
- Ōmāpere Rangihāmama: Demonstrating how strategic investment and partnership can unlock the productive potential of whenua Māori while supporting its return to full Māori ownership.
- Rimutauteka 1C: Demonstrating how partnership-based whenua projects can protect culturally significant land while building skills, confidence and future opportunities for rangatahi
- Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer/Grower Alumni Wānanga: Expanding our support for young Māori farmers and growers through an inaugural wānanga, creating opportunities for emerging agri-business leaders to connect, learn and build lasting networks.
Te Ringa Hāpai-funded whenua improvements: Tangible outcomes of environmental restoration across multiple whenua Māori blocks.
Ngā aupiki mō te tau | 2025/26 financial year highlights include:
In addition to more than $3 million invested in capital improvements across whenua Māori blocks, 2025/26 financial year highlights include:
- The Māori Development Fund which has supported opportunities in horticulture, renewable energy and geothermal development with planning accelerated across 23 whenua Māori trusts.
- $8.5 million paid to owners as distributions in 2026, an increase on $6.28 million, paid in 2025.
- As at 31 March 2026, the General Purposes Fund had assets valued at $193 million (compared to $178 million in 2025).
Ngā Tatauranga | Key Numbers at a glance
- Trusts and other entities administered – 1,687
- Hectares managed – 76,447
- Owner meetings held - 316
- Distribution paid - $8.5m
- Leases managed – 1,572
- Te Kanohi Kāhu openings – 40,700
Read the full version of Te Pūrongo ā-Tau - our Annual Report for 2026 here [PDF, 10 MB]
For any pātai, please contact us.