The Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust (TST) Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the 2024/25 financial year will be held on Sunday, 1 February 2026 at the Taupō Events Centre.
All registered members are warmly invited to attend.
Event details
Venue: Taupō Events Centre 26 AC Baths Avenue, Taupō
Timing:
12:00pm – Lunch
Following lunch – Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust AGM begins
We look forward to sharing updates on the Trust’s performance and kaupapa for the 2024/25 year.
Ngā mihi
Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust
Taupō-nui-a-Tia at First Light
Before the first hint of dawn, whānau assembled quietly along the lakeside. Steam rose from the waters of
Taupō-nui-a-Tia as tamariki huddled under blankets and rangatahi guided kaumātua into place.
Our hīkoi began with the sound of a single pūtātara, calling us to gather in unity as we prepared to welcome
the Matariki star cluster.
Led by our kaumātua, the opening karakia acknowledged those who have passed (te hunga mate)
and those who remain, binding us through memory and aspiration.
Kaupapa & Whāinga
Matariki marks a time to remember, to celebrate, and to plan. Our kaupapa this year centred on three threads:
Remembrance of loved ones
Gratitude for the harvests of the year just gone
Setting intentions for collective wellbeing in the months ahead
Volunteers created intention cards for attendees to write down goals for whānau, hapori and taiao.
These will be displayed at our whare for the next lunar cycle.
Moments from the Morning
Karakia at 5:45am — the dawn chorus softly joined the voices of our kaikarakia.
Waiata & Kōrero — rangatahi led waiata learnt in kura, bringing fresh energy to familiar melodies.
Koha Kai — after the hīkoi, hot rewena bread and pumpkin soup were served.
“Matariki helps us pause. It’s our reset button as whānau—time to check in, forgive, and move forward together.”
Whānau Reflections
Attendees shared personal kōrero. Some spoke of reconnecting with language and tikanga, while others carried grief
for loved ones lost. The space held both joy and tears, recognising that renewal and remembrance sit side by side.
Learning Resources
Printable activity sheets for tamariki
A short pronunciation guide for the nine whetū
A whānau conversation template for setting intentions at home
Our team is compiling pātai asked on the day into a simple FAQ for the website.
What’s Next
As winter continues, we’ll host evening kōrero exploring each whetū of Matariki and what they represent—from Tupuānuku and food grown in the earth, to Waitī and freshwater.
Watch our News page for dates and registration. If you’d like to help with kai, transport or setup, get in touch. He waka eke noa — we’re all in this together.
Due to the uncertainty of COVID-19, the 2020 AGM was held via livestream on Saturday 21 November 2020 at 1.30pm. Watch the replay below.
Kia ora whānau
Following the government’s announcement that Aotearoa will be moving to Alert Level 2 from 14 March, we have begun preparing to re-open our Turangi and Taupo offices to visitors, on an appointment basis, from Monday, 25 May 2020.
This update includes all visitors to Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board, Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust and Ngāti Tūwharetoa Fisheries Charitable Trust
Our offices will not be open to any visitors, at any time, prior to 25 May. Please note that no exceptions will be made.
Between 14 – 22 May, staff who have been working remotely, will be returning equipment to our offices and making preparations for re-opening to visitors, on an appointment basis, from 25 May.
Where ever possible, if you do not need to visit us (from 25 May) please continue to use phone and email to contact us.
We are receiving a higher than usual number of enquiries at this time – your understanding and patience is appreciated, thank you.
From Monday, 25 May, anyone who needs to visit our offices will be required to comply with the following requirements:
Please do not visit our offices at any time if you are unwell or sick. You may be putting other people, including our staff, at risk.
You must make an appointment by phone or email beforehand – please do not arrive at any of our offices unannounced without a confirmed appointment. This is to ensure we don’t have too many people in reception areas, which are relatively small, at any one time.
You must comply with all health and safety requirements while visiting – this includes using hand santisation when you arrive and depart.
Turangi 07 386 8832
Taupo 07 376 5086
Hunting permits
Kaingaroa & Rotoehu permits – Visit the First Security website – www.firstsecurity.co.nz, then click on “forestry permits”.
Please note the issue of these will begin from 1 June 2020.
Monitoring and evaluation
We will be continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact upon our operations and staff.
This includes any changes or updates to the Alert System which may be made by the government, at any time. Should we need to make any other changes to any of our operations – we will advise you at that time.
In the meantime whanau, keep safe and well.
Piki te ora.
Due to COVID-19 there have been changes made to the Kaingaroa and Rotoehu Forest Permit process for the 2020 season. Forest Permit Applications will now be done by online application only (click hereto apply now). Permits will be posted to applicants, NO pick ups.
First Security is contracted by Timberlands Ltd to issue Recreational Forest Access Permits for the Kaingaroa and Rotoehu Forests.
HOW CAN I OBTAIN A RECREATIONAL FOREST ACCESS PERMIT?
All persons 15 years or older, wishing to obtain a Recreational permit to enter forests managed by Timberlands Limited (TL), must apply annually for a Recreational Forest Access Permit. This includes hunting, fishing and game-bird shooting access.
Permit Application forms must be completed online and submitted with copies of relevant forms of ID e.g., drivers licence, passport, fishing, firearms and game-bird licences.
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, Recreational Access opening dates will be advised and permits will be processed and posted once the Government lifts lockdown restrictions. Please note there will be delays for processing of permits.
Registrations are valid from the 1st of April 2020, to the 31st of March 2021 (12 months). Recreational Permits cover the period of the official hunting season and occasions when the forest may be opened due to low fire danger during the fire season.
Timberlands Limited are not issuing hunting and recreational permits under Covid-19 level 3 restrictions. This is primarily so we can focus on the health and safety of people returning to work.
Level 3 hunting conditions:
– No motorised hunting is permitted, which accounts for the majority of hunting in Kaingaroa Forest.
– People must keep local, and the Kaingaroa Forest estate operates across three regions (BOP, Waikato and Hawkes Bay), making it difficult for hunters to adhere to this rule.
At this stage the number one priority is to transition workers back into the forest safely while operating under Covid-19 level 3 restrictions.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALERT LEVEL 4 – KUA RĀHUI TE MOTU
OFFICIAL GUIDELINES FOR TANGIHANGA
Note: This information was revised and updated by the Ministry of Health on 2 April 2020.
Tangihanga – a need to adapt our practises during this extraordinary time.
We previously shared the guidelines for tangihanga during Alert Level 4, however, these have been revised by the Government with some key updates that whānau who have been in the same isolation bubble as the tūpāpaku (ie, whānau pani/kirimate) will be allowed to go to the funeral home for viewing, karakia, poroporoaki or mihi, and to the cemetery alongside the tūpāpaku and funeral director.
Whānau from all cultures and backgrounds will find this time challenging. This makes it even more important that we show each other kindness and caring, manaakitanga and aroha. Already, iwi and hapū have been adapting tikanga and kawa to keep our people safe.
This has also extended to tangihanga. There are now strict rules put in place during Alert Level 4 for when loved ones have passed away. These rules apply to everyone, every culture, every religion.
Read the full guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health.
All members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust (TST) which will be held on Saturday 8 December 2018 at the Wairakei Resort, Taupō commencing at 10.00 am (Registrations from 9.30am). Please open the attached PDF for full details.
