2023 Finalist: Ken Goldsmith, Hinehou Timutimu and Tyson Kelly of Te Tawa Pāmu – Te Kotahitanga Dairying & Pāmu Kaiwhakahaere – Dairy 

The commitment of Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust to its people and the land exemplifies its values of manaaki, whakawhanaunga, wairua, and kaitiaki.

Te Tawa Pāmu, managed by Tyson Kelly of Te Kotahitanga Dairying, has farming with the future in mind. This cultivates a sense of sustainability (manaaki), belonging (whakawhanaunga), embracing beliefs and values (wairua), and guardianship (kaitiaki) of the land.

Through the Trust, the 220ha dairying operation serves 1,100 owners and beneficiaries, as well as its wider community. The team spans five generations employed at all levels of the business, including operations, management, and governance.

The property is challenging to farm due to its varied landscape – something the Trust has taken in its stride. Significant investment has gone into an integrated farm environment plan that provides overarching guidance on land management.

The team’s journey includes Te Punawai ō te Aroha, a project that aims to complete the restoration of wetlands and streams on the property.

As kaitiaki of this land, the whole team places significant importance of its history. This has led to the development of a public mahinga kai (food gathering) watercress site, the protection of culturally significant puna wai (spring waters) and the maintenance of the urupā (ancestral burial grounds).

They are focused on creating prosperity for their people, meaning priorities have been developed to extend for future generations. This includes a range of community outreach activities.

To ensure stories of the whenua and its people are captured for future generations, the team has launched Kua Āmio ki Tōna Tīmatanga. This project is creating an historical foundation of records and retelling the stories of those who have lived and worked the land.

Kua amio ki tōna tīmatanga – he taonga tuku iho

Full circle – fostered, nurtured and practised

Ken, Hinehou and Tyson are the winners of Bay Of Plenty Regional Council Farming for the Future Award.