“Kaitiakitanga” in Maori means to nurture our natural
resources & people for a prosperous future.
This is one of 5 Farm Business
Management values set out by Tauhara Moana Trust, one of three finalists in the
BNZ Ahuwhenua Maori Excellence in Dairy Farming Award 2012. Maori Trusts have
different business objectives to most other NZ dairy farmers.
The Maori Trusts
will not sell traditionally owned land & there is a responsibility to their
people (shareholders) that extends beyond an annual dividend. As traditional lands
will not be sold there is a responsibility & I believe a demonstrated
understanding that they (the Maori Trusts) must care & nurture the land for
the benefit of future generations. Sustainability extends to the people &
the Maori Trusts desire to encourage their own people into jobs & positions
of responsibility on the farms. This is a major challenge for Maori.
At the
moment the very best Trusts appear to be demonstrating good governance over the
farm businesses.
Tauhara Moana Trust has strong leadership & a very good management team.
The Ahuwhenua Trophy & competition is a very good way to
demonstrate “best practice” in Farm Business Management. The performance of the
three finalists this year will effectively lift the bar for all Maori Trusts
managing farms in NZ. However the real challenge is getting talented young
Maori Farm Managers & Sharemilkers.
Paul Bird facilitated the fieldday (achieving a fine sunny day for a fieldday is ofcourse a facilitation skill)
Tauhara Moana Trust has risen from near
financial disaster (Crafars) & recovered during a drought year. This has
shown real guts & determination & very good leadership. What I really liked about the management style was the focus on pasture management & the brilliant HR management. All staff are encouraged to take full responsibility for their part in the farm team's performance.
Tauhara Moana
Trust’s other four stated business values include:- Integrity, Excellence,
Innovation & “Tikanga”.
“Tikanga” means that we will be respectful of each
other’s cultural values.
In an unstable world, where peace & harmony seem
very thin on the ground, I find it uplifting that a Farm Business has a stated
business value that includes respect for each other’s cultural values &
differences.
All farm businesses everywhere can learn much from the goverance
& business values of Tauhara Moana Trust at Taupo.
It raises the question….What
to you stand for? What are the values which are important to you &
your family? Are your family values stamped into your Farm Business & the
way in which you conduct business both on & off the farm?
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