From left to right: Aayden Clarke, Shayne Walker, Minister Tama Potaka, Larrissa Cooper, Leon Symes, Lewis Ratapu, George Mackey, Robin Kaa Photo: supplied
A new 150-megalitre water storage facility has been unveiled for Wairoa, 'unlocking Māori land potential'.
On a recent visit to Whakapau Orchard, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka revealed the first phase of the infrastructure project.
"The rain during the ceremony was a timely reminder of the need to capture and manage water in a way that supports the community and local economy," Potaka said.
"It was a pleasure to join Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa committee members, Haumako kaimahi and Wairoa whānau in marking this significant milestone in Haumako's efforts to enhance water resilience."
It will enable horticultural development across the Whakapau Blocks in North Clyde, Wairoa and is an important part of Haumako's five-year plan for developing its 105-hectare orchard.
The water storage facility is a part of a long-term strategy Haumako, a horticultural enterprise led by Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa.
It aims to turn land in Wairoa into productive, environmentally friendly horticultural farms that brings both financial benefits and supports cultural values of kaitiakitanga and tikanga Māori.
It includes taiao monitoring, riparian planting, and it will ensure there are no negative impacts on local waterways and fish species.
"Our water storage gives us security by capturing fresh water at high tide. It reduces risk, supports high-value crops, and creates a model for future Māori-led horticulture," Haumako general manager Robin Kaa said.
Funded by Te Puni Kōkiri, it opens up investment opportunities into Haumako, enabling the development of orchards, cropping, and other horticultural avenues, and has the potential to create 134 jobs.
"This infrastructure future proofs our business and will provide long term resilience for our horticulture development and our people. Horticulture as a long-term investment needs to be able to respond to climate change and this water provides confidence to our whānau," Shayne Walker, chair of Tātau Tātau Commercial, E Tipu said.
"Wairoa is our next focus for horticulture growth in the region. We've always seen this as a way of increasing productivity and building a strong Māori economy. This infrastructure is the enabler," chair of Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust and co-chair of Matariki Regional Economic Development Leon Symes said.
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