Our Whenua
Protecting Our Ancestral Lands
Our whenua at Waihau Bay, kaitiakitanga, land stewardship, environmental protection and Trust land initiatives.
Kaitiaki of Our Lands
Our whenua is more than land — it is our identity, our sustenance and our connection to those who came before us. As kaitiaki, we hold it in trust for those who will come after.
The Trust is committed to responsible stewardship of our ancestral lands at Waihau Bay, balancing the needs of today's whānau with our obligations to future generations.
Our Kaitiakitanga Principles
Kaitiakitanga
We are guardians, not owners. Our role is to protect and nurture the whenua so that it remains healthy, productive and meaningful for generations to come.
Land Stewardship
The Trust actively manages our ancestral lands, making decisions that balance cultural, environmental and economic considerations for the benefit of all whānau.
Environmental Protection
We are committed to protecting the natural environment of our rohe — its waterways, forests and coastline — as an expression of our kaitiakitanga responsibilities.
Land Initiatives
The Trust explores and develops initiatives that enhance the value and productivity of our whenua while honouring its cultural and spiritual significance.
Where We Are
Our Whenua at Waihau Bay
Our ancestral lands are situated at Waihau Bay, within the rohe of Te Whānau-ā-Apanui on the East Coast of Aotearoa New Zealand. This land has sustained our whānau for generations.
Te Whānau-ā-Apanui, East Coast, Aotearoa New Zealand