Our Structure
A Trust is a legal structure put in place to manage assets and liabilities on behalf of an owner or owners. An Ahu Whenua Trust is a Maori land management trust, legally formed under Te Ture Whenua Act 1993, designed to promote the retention of land in Maori ownership.
The Omapere Taraire E & Rangihamama X3A Ahu Whenua Trust, on behalf of its 3000+ shareholders administers the Omapere and Rangihamama lands along with housing and forestry ventures. The shareholders and beneficiaries are the owners of the land. Only shareholders have the ability to vote or elect trustees. See TRUST ORDER.
GOVERNANCE
ORT currently sits under the governance of five (5) elected trustees (at least 1 of these trustees being an Independent Professional Trustee) each serving a term of four years. Trustee rotations occur every second year with nominations called for, prior to the AGM and shareholder voting taking place on the day of the AGM.
The Trust has established separate operating enterprises by way of portfolios:
- Rangihamama Farm
- Omapere Farm
- Housing
- Forestry
- Financial
Individual trustees act as portfolio holders without management accountabilities. There is a good range of age and skill within the current Board, with each having an extensive business, financial, governance and/or land development expertise.
Current Trustees are:
- Richard Fong, Chair – Housing & Environmental portfolio
- Arama Tahere, Trustee – Housing, Honey, Environmental & Forestry portfolio.
- Jo Walsh, Trustee – Forestry, Honey, Community & Horticulture portfolio
- Delwyn Beckham, Trustee – Omapere & Rangihamama Farm & Community portfolio
- Rawson Wright, Independent Chair – Omapere & Rangihamama Farm & Forestry portfolio
- Snow Tane, Independent Chair – Omapere & Rangihamama Farm, Honey, Environmental & Horticulture portfolio
Trustee meetings are held every 6 weeks (non-notified) and shareholder meetings are held twice per year (notified).
Any enquiries regarding ORT please contact us.