MANAWATŪ KUKUTAUAKI SECTION 3 2B1 AND 2E5 TRUSTS
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) 1:00 – 3:00PM
AGM – held on Saturday 6th April 2024, at Kereru Marae, Levin.
TRUSTS
• Section 2B1: 9.8288ha - Block ID 20382 (leased to local farmer)
o 168 owners with 3,886 shares
• Section 2E5: 18.8836ha – Block ID 20376 (wetlands under restoration)
o 156 owners with 7,466 shares
[These two trusts have the same Responsible Trustees, for both trusts]
CHAIR’S REPORT
1. SECTION 2E5 TRUST – WETLANDS RESTORATION
The trustees have been working for some time on wetlands restoration (over 25 years). Most recently we have engaged with NZTA, who are currently in the process of getting the necessary Resource Management approvals for the SH1 Ōtaki to north of Levin Highway “Project”.
As part of this process, they are figuring out what ecological actions need to be taken within the region (our rohe) to balance out the project's impact on the environment. These actions will aim to improve biodiversity and ecology overall, compared to how things are now. One of the things they want to do is restore wetlands, which aligns strongly with our kaupapa for the past quarter century, as a whānau.
a. TE RIPO O HINEMATA – PROPOSAL
NZTA would like to work with our Trust to undertake a significant ramping up of our wetland restorations work at Te Ripo o Hinemata on our 2E5 Trust’s lands.
The broad scale of work that is proposed is:
• Animal pest control;
• Adjust hydraulic function of the wetland by modifying the existing outlet control structure to raise water level in wetland by approximately 30cm (the intention is to eradicate reed canary grass);
• Once the reed canary grass has been controlled reduce water levels and plant with native wetland species;
• Subsequently raise water levels again by approximately 10-30cm; Remove drains and hydraulic barriers as necessary;
• and maintain and manage wetland area with an ongoing pest control programme.
These works are subject to being able to obtain Resource Management approvals. Also, as Te Ripo o Hinemata is protected by a Department of Conservation covenant, with the works also being subject to obtaining a concession from the Department of Conservation.
Provided that the Ō2NL Project proceeds to construction, and if our land is needed to address the ecological effects of the “Project”, NZTA’s role will be to obtain necessary approvals, to undertake this works and then to:
• Maintain and monitor the planting until 90% canopy closure (co-management opportunities for us to help are welcome). They expect the maintenance period could be over a period of up to approximately 8 years, although we have suggested 20 years would suit us, that is under discussion.
• Pest plans to be absent or supressed after three years from site preparation.
• Manage pest weeds and animal until 90% canopy closure is achieved; and
• Pay all administrative costs associated with securing relevant statutory approvals and DOC concessions.
As part of this process, we will provide access to their contractors to undertake survey, monitoring, construction and planting work as well for the maintenance and monitoring period.
They want to undertake these activities in the period 2025 – 2029, although this would also be a subject to discussions with us.
Subject to these approvals and concessions being obtained your trustees have signed an agreement in principle for the work to be undertaken.
WETLANDS RESTORATION PROGRAMME - THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
It is proposed that the following programme of technical assessment is undertaken:
• Complete design of work with Trust and lodge Resource Management applications for culvert and drain works (need Department of Conservation approval as per covenant) – by middle of 2024
• Once Resource Management approvals are in hand, confirm programme and design with Trust – by end of 2024
• Obtain KiwiRail access permits – by March 2025
• Confirm detailed works methodology and programme – by May 2025
• Undertake work – potentially during the Summer 2025
• Planting - once hydrology is re-established in two tranches 2025/26 and 2027/28
Commencing with this technical work does not commit the Trust or Waka Kotahi to undertaking physical works but would require us, the Trust to provide access to the site for their contractors to undertake investigations and survey.
In the future they will need to enter into another agreement with the Trust, to secure the ability for Waka Kotahi to undertake the wetland restoration works and subsequent maintenance period until 90% of canopy cover, which is estimated to be around a decade from planting. The 1st 3 years are important to get the canopy cover, and maintenance needs to be done several times a year.
The design of the restoration and maintenance will be discussed and agreed with us taking into consideration how we want to use and manage the area in the future. The design of the planting (species, composition and spacing) and monitoring and maintenance requirements will be informed by Resource Management requirements, which is a current ongoing process. NZTA need these processes to be completed before we can confirm a legal agreement with us.
It will be supported by whānau planting and incorporating local mātauranga and tikanga. Overall, this Ō2NL project will support our Intergenerational wetlands restoration kaupapa that we've been working on here for the last three decades. It is about restoring our whenua, ngārara, te repo, te taiao on our ancestral whenua.
Farm Lease
The lease with local Kernohan Farms is due for renewal and/or review this year. We will be looking at this lease, as part of the potential passive home proposal, given that it may be this land that is affected, if any new development is to be constructed.
No distributions are recommended for this meeting. However, it was recommended in 2019 that net profits after each year’s financial statements reconciliation, should be set aside for distributions for shareholders. To do this however, the Trust needs each beneficiary to complete of the basic beneficiary details.
SECTION 2B1 – ECO HOUSING PASSIVE HOMES PROPOSAL
Whānau member, Kushla Okano, has come to the Trustees with an unsolicited proposal to develop an eco-village passive home opportunity, by unlocked housing for housing for the whānau.
Kushla will present a proposal on holistic proposal for eco, affordable housing, which has innovative ownership structures, allowing whānau to connect back to our ancestral lands, using clean tech integration. The Trustees are keen to share this proposal with whānau, as we see its significant potential, with Kushla to present on possible funding mechanisms. The passive house build is estimated to take only 90 to 100 days from start to finish.
Kushla’s proposal is seeking land (underwriting) to build this housing and can talk to access to investment funds for this potential pilot project, which will create a process and pathway to greater development.
Originally Kushla wanted to lease our hapū lands for five years, but funding is now available so this option is no longer required.
Johnny McGregor
Chairman
Manawatū Kukutauaki No3 Sec 2B1 & 2E5 Trusts
Minutes & resolutions for AGM
held on 6 April 2024 @ Kererū Marae, Koputaroa 1 – 3pm
Present Johnny McGregor, Wayne Rangi Nicholson, Nina McGregor, Kim Taylor, Olivia Giles, Timo McGregor, Arohanui Nicholson, Maiarangi Nicholson
Apologies Te Kenehi Teira
1. 2E5 – O2NL wetlands restoration.
Resolution:
That the Trust continue to collaborate with NZTA on the wetlands restoration and enter into the necessary agreements for this restoration work.
Moved: Olivia
Second: Rangi
Carried
3. 2B1 – Distributions
Resolutions:
1. Move that the Trust distribute a survey to owners asking them what should be done with the net profit if the rent continues.
2. Move Aroha will update the database, seek beneficiaries’ details, to allows any distributions payments in future, and to connect the whānau to the trust more.
3. Move that the Trust set up an online banking account with our current bankers Westpac, with two signatories, being the Chairman (currently Johnny McGregor) and Treasurer (currently Nina McGregor) as joint signatories.
Moved: Timo
Second: Nina
Carried
4. Passive home eco-village
Originally Kushla wanted to lease our hapū lands. However, there is a new fund available called Toro Kaha which doesn’t require land as a security but instead employs a patient capital fund. HUD would be underwriting the Eco village constructions and development because Horowhenua has high housing priorisation, with 20,000 new homes needed. Kushla’s team will work with us to build capacity and work with whānau to determine what the village would look like.
Resolution:
That the Trustees are given permission to enter into an agreement in principle with Te Whenua Group to proceed with a feasibility study on 2B1 lands for the development of a tiny house/eco village.
Moved: Timo
Second: Kim
Carried
5. Election of Trustees
The trustees are looking for a succession plan. New trustees are needed, and we should make a plan to seek them over the next 24 months. In the meantime, the following trustees are up for re-election for a term of 2 years:
● Johnny McGregor
● Wayne Rangi Nicholson
● Nina McGregor
● Te Kenehi Teira
● Kim Taylor
● Olivia Aroha Giles
● Arohanui Jane Te Rangimarie Nicholson
The current list of trustees are up for re-election and have all indicated their willingness to stand again. In addition, we have two new nominations (Olivia) Aroha McGregor, who has been doing the administration of the website and coordinating with stakeholders, and Arohanui Jane Te Rangimarie Nicholson who came to the meeting with her father Rangi and will be the third generation of her whānau on the trust.
In 2019 the following trustees were removed: William McGregor, Ann Taylor and Martin.
Action point for the attendees at the meeting to reach out to their families for trustee nominations.
Resolution:
That the current trustees are re-elected, and that Olivia Aroha Giles and Arohanui Jane Te Rangimarie Nicholson be appointed to both trusts (2B1 & 2E5) – all of whom are appointed for a period of 2 years WEF from today’s date.
Moved: Kim
Second: Timo
Carried
6. General Business
Kim suggested the trust contact the local schools and DOC to enlist their support for the work on the wetlands.
Thanks to all trustees, Aroha for her support work around the administration of the trust, Kushla and whānau who’ve turned up.
Meeting closed 3:05pm time, with a karakia by Rev. Rangi Nicholson