Reflections on Hui-ā-Tau 2025
Hui-ā-Tau 2025 set a new benchmark for iwi engagement, participation, and connection. Attendance reached its highest level yet, with whānau moving across the pārae participating in multiple Te Tipuranga activities throughout the day. A large number of whānau attended Hui-ā-Tau for the first time , bringing new perspectives and widening the range of voices contributing to iwi direction.
Tōia ngā waewae o tō tamāhine, kia tau ai te haere i ngā parae o Manutūkē. Grounded in the context of Manutūkē Marae, this whakataukī speaks to cultivation — preparing, strengthening, and clearing pathways so our tamariki and mokopuna can move with confidence.
With a record number of tamariki and rangatahi active in the youth spaces - their presence shaped the tone of the day, reinforcing the need for safe, whānau-focused environments where inter-generational participation is celebrated.
This page offers a digital pārae for those who could not attend, and for those wanting to revisit the kōrero. It provides summaries of each activity — Rangatahi Pārae, He Rau Mahara exhibition at Toko Toru Tapu, TGHL Asset Tour, Taki-Wānanga, and Formal AGM.
A big mihi to our whānau who continue to engage with us across the year — who have listened, contributed, and held the Trust to account — tēnā rawa atu koutou. The kōrero and the hard pātai keep us focused on what will protect and grow the wellbeing of our uri, now and into the future.
He Rau Mahara: Kāhui Photo Exhibition
Presented by Te Kāhui Kaumātua o Rongowhakaata, this photo exhibition shared treasured images more than 50 years old. The photographs came from whānau collections and are rarely seen by the wider iwi. The exhibition was prepared with generosity by our Kāhui, an expression of their mana and leadership. Each image carried memories, relationships, and histories that continue to shape Rongowhakaata today.
The day began with karakia at Toko Toru Tapu Church, followed by the exhibition opening with waiata from the 2025 Taikura performance and Te Tira Kuturere (ukulele group), setting a strong cultural foundation for the day.
TGHL Asset Tour
TGHL Directors led 2 x one-hour asset tours, giving uri an on-the-ground view into how these assets are being managed and grown for the long-term benefit of Rongowhakaata.
TGHL is entering a five-year strategy through its Statement of Intent. The focus is on strengthening Rongowhakaata identity and building economic independence through initiatives that are culturally grounded and commercially sound. This includes the reclamation and restoration of key sites using pūrākau, mahi toi, restoration planting, and the reinstatement of traditional place names.
Guided by iwi values and focused on scalable growth, TGHL is positioning itself as a leader in circular and Indigenous economies.
The bus tour visited two key sites: Wai-o-Hiharore (the railway station) and the Native Nursery at Matawhero. Uri saw the development plans first-hand and asked clear, informed questions about the future of these spaces.
Listen to the korero below and download the Asset Tour booklet
You can find out more about TGHL here
Te Wai-o-Hiharore
Te Wai-o-Hiharore is one of the Group’s most important opportunities, located in the centre of Tūranga’s CBD. The block includes five returned properties, with two requiring significant development to restore their vitality. TGHL are progressing master planning and business cases for Te Wai-o-Hiharore guided by the Group’s five-year Statement of Intent.
The Railway Station Redevelopment is the first full redevelopment led by TGHL since settlement in 2011. While the buildings were returned in poor condition, the whenua holds strong potential. Detailed design for building consent is complete, and the business case has been approved by both the TGHL and RIT boards.
This project is the first step in re-establishing a strong Rongowhakaata presence in the CBD. It will create spaces for connection, cultural practice, and economic activity, shaped through ongoing engagement with whānau.
Watch the video below with kōrero from the Asset Tour
Native Nursery at Matawhero
The Nursery falls within the Matawhero block claimed by the rangatira Riperata Kahutia belonging to Te Whānau a Iwi and Ngāi Tāwhiri. Purchased by the Iwi Trust in 2022, significant investments have been made by TGHL into the Nursery to build resilience as reducing government grants impact the taiao sector.
Our onsite team shared practical kōrero on the full plant lifecycle and what sets the nursery apart. Plants seeded at the nursery contribute to the revitalisation of our taiao spaces as well as to traditional practices such as raranga, whakairo and other mahi toi.
Watch the video below with kōrero from the Asset Tour
Reflections on Hui a Tau Taki-Wānanga
2 x one-hour Taki-wānanga sessions were held before the formal hui, providing whānau the opportunity to engage directly with Trustees, kanohi ki te kanohi. Participation was strong, with more uri than ever attending across both sessions, representing all age groups.
Whānau consistently raise shared themes through taki-wānanga throughout the year. Their kōrero informs the priorities of the Iwi Trust and is reflected in the Annual Plan, which guides the work programmes delivered and resourced through the Board-approved budget.
The taki-wānanga sessions focused on priorities across three pou.
Key themes included:
Strengthening pūtea – financial sustainability, asset growth, and greater transparency.
Growing pūkenga and mātauranga – rangatahi pathways, flexible investment strategies, and marae capability building.
Reinforcing tikanga and identity – te reo Māori, marae revitalisation, and tikanga-aligned governance.
Download and read the summary below
Formal Hui-ā-Tau
The Formal Hui-ā-Tau held in Epeha, focused on the AGM proceedings required under the Trust Deed, including the confirmation of previous minutes, appointment of the auditor, and decisions on distributions and remuneration settings which remain unchanged. More than 90 people attended the formal hui, reflecting strong whānau engagement in iwi governance. Minutes of the hui will be available by request.
Hui-ā-Tau 2025 proved the strength of our people when the environment supports mana, connection, and collective purpose. This approach has laid a strong foundation for deeper engagement in the years ahead.
“We enjoyed all the events which encouraged a vibrancy of all age groups especially the tamariki in the zorbs, and other games. Photos in the church, the waiata by the kahui kaumatua and the ukulele roopu. Well catered for the whole day .” - Maata Morrell“We have never been to a Hui-ā-Tau and found the asset tour and taki-wānanga really interesting – our kids also came and loved the activities.” - Dion Whaanga
Download and read our FAQs to some of the common pātai raised.
Learn more about the Trust Deed review here
Read our Group Annual Report here and find out more about the resourced 2026 Work programmed in our Group Annual Plan here
