HISTORY

HIST​ORY

Background

​Te Awahōhonu Forest Trust was formed in 1971. The Trust administers Tarawera C9 comprising of 20,960ha in total - 8428ha in Awahohonu Forest, 2623ha in Tarawera Station and 9909ha in Ahimanawa. The Trust also owns 1000ha at Gwavas Station. 


The Trust is constituted by the Māori Land Court as an Ahu Whenua Trust.

 

Tarawera Station was first developed by the Department of Māori Affairs assisted by Lands and Survey Department from 1965 and was vested in the Trust in 1986.

 

Awahohonu Forest development began in 1970, when the Trust formed under a Crown lease for 99 years. 

​Farming History

In 1986 the Trustees received a largely fully developed sheep and beef breeding station, and the residual development debt to repay.

  • In 2000 attention was refocused on improved productivity through genetics, feeding and management changes.
  • A further 443ha was leased adjacent to the farm in 2008.
  • Another 364ha adjacent to Tarawera was leased in 2009.
  • Gwavas Station in Tikokino was purchased in 2013 to finish Tarawera Station lambs and cattle.
  • Greatly improved farming performance was rewarded in 2013 when the Trust won the Ahuwhenua (Māori farming) competition.
  • In 2016, 184ha bordering Tarawera was purchased for development into further pasture immediately.
  • In 2022, 364ha was purchased which was originally part of the larger Tarawera C9 block.

Commercial Forest History

  • Radiata Pine Planting on Awahohonu commenced with formation of the Trust in 1971.
  • The Trust was lessor to the Crown as lessee, under a profit share lease.
  • An opportunity to purchase the whole forest arose when the Crown policy was to exit the lease. Negotiations began in 1996.
  • In 1999 the forest was purchased from the Crown and 50% sold immediately thereafter to USA investors, and forest harvesters in a joint venture.
  • From 1999 to 2015 harvest of the first crop was carried out.
  • The joint venture progressively wound down as clear felling occurred with the Trust replanting under its own ownership between 2000 and 2016.
  • Harvest of Radiata Crop 2 is expected to commence in 2027.
  • The commercial forest now comprises of 5801ha of Radiata Pine.
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