Our Story
About Us
Over 90 years of kaitiakitanga on the Pouto Peninsula.
Pouto Tōpū A Trust
Pouto Tōpū A Trust is an ahu whenua trust with land holdings of 2,868 hectares situated on the north head of the Kaipara Harbour, Pouto Peninsula. With the Tasman Sea to the west and the Kaipara Harbour running along the eastern border of the whenua, the Trust occupies one of Northland's most remarkable landscapes.
Over the past 90 years, the Tōpū whenua has seen several evolutions and developments through government departments such as the Department of Māori Affairs, ultimately transitioning to full owner control in 1989.
The Tōpū Block
The original whanau owners first offered the then-called Tōpū Block for development in 1933, whereby 500 hectares were developed up to the early 1950s. Stage two of the development commenced with a further 1,924 hectares being developed.
The original area of the Tōpū Block was some 3,726 hectares. Fifty hectares were lost to coastal reserves, roads, the school, and telephone exchange. In the 1950s, 1,026 hectares were settled under unimproved value lease farms, followed by the Pouto 2F block of 745 hectares being subdivided off for forestry in 1977.
Pouto Development Scheme
Under what was known as the Pouto Development Scheme, the Department of Māori Affairs developed the Sheep and Beef Farm together with twelve Dairy Farms. The Dairy Farms were settled under a 42-year lease agreement to whanau.
The Pouto Development Scheme was originally administered by the Department of Māori Affairs. In 1982, the Pouto Tōpū A Trust was formed and remained under the administration of the Department of Māori Affairs.
On 27 May 1989, the official handover celebration to owner control and administration took place. From that time, Pouto Tōpū A Trust has been solely administered by the Board of Trustees.
Key Milestones
Original whanau owners offer the Tōpū Block for development. First 500 hectares developed.
Stage two development commences. 1,026 hectares settled under unimproved value lease farms.
Pouto 2F block of 745 hectares subdivided off for forestry.
Pouto Tōpū A Trust formally established under the Department of Māori Affairs.
Official handover celebration on 27 May. Trust transitions to full owner control and administration.
Joint venture forestry partnership established with Rayonier following first rotation harvest.
Trust operates dairy, sheep & beef, forestry, apiculture, accommodation, and ngahere restoration.