Te Tumu Paeroa at Fieldays 2026

Over four days, we connected with organisations involved in whenua development, promoted opportunities to lease whenua Māori, and highlighted the important role Te Tumu Paeroa plays in supporting owners and trustees to realise the potential of their whenua. 

Connecting through kōrero 

Located in the Agriculture Pavilion alongside organisations such as the Ministry for Primary Industries and Horticulture New Zealand, our stand attracted a steady stream of visitors and generated many valuable conversations. 

There was strong interest in our whenua development work, leasing opportunities, and the support Te Tumu Paeroa provides to owners and trustees throughout Aotearoa. 

We were honoured to welcome Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā wai hono i te pō to our stand on the opening day of Fieldays. During her visit, Te Arikinui added a leaf to our interactive "whenua tree", which invited visitors to share how the land makes them feel. 

By the end of Fieldays, 708 leaves covered the tree, creating a powerful visual reflection of people's connection to whenua. 

From left: Māori Queen, Te Arikinui Kuini Ngā wai hono i te po, with Te Tumu Paeroa kaimahi: Morwenna Mitson-Grills and Sonya Rimene.

The most common themes were: 

Supporting a strong Māori presence 

Alongside our own exhibition, Te Tumu Paeroa worked closely with Te Puni Kōkiri to support a dedicated Māori presence within the Rural Living Marquee, showcasing seven Māori enterprises: 

We also supported the Māori Agribusiness Luncheon hosted by Hon Tama Potaka, Minister for Māori Development. The event brought together emerging and established leaders from across the primary sector, including Ahuwhenua Young Farmer and Grower Alumni Chloe Butcher-Herries and Ben Purua, Federation of Māori Authorities Chair Traci Houpapa, and Richard Luxton, son of the late Hon John Luxton. 

A highlight of the luncheon was the launch of the John Luxton Legacy Fund, established to support young Māori from Haraki and Waikato iwi pursuing careers in the primary industries through scholarship opportunities. 

Looking ahead 

Fieldays 2026 provided an excellent platform to showcase the work of the Māori Trustee, strengthen relationships across the whenua development sector, and engage directly with owners of whenua Māori. 

The event also generated a number of promising opportunities for future collaboration. Most importantly, it reinforced the enduring connection Māori have with whenua and the critical role Te Tumu Paeroa plays in helping owners and trustees realise their aspirations for future generations.