As a Maori landowner, Tauhara Moana Trust runs a model different from the capital gains model, and its drive for sustainability comes from an inter-generational standpoint.
“When we say intergenerational, it’s not something for capital gains – the land is not for sale,” says Tauhara Farming Limited Partnership director Clinton Hemana.
“We have to farm for cash, that’s the drive for sustainability. We have to have long term farming systems that are cash economical. We’re not going to sell, so capital gains is not going to fit for us. It’s a big distinction between us and how the rest of the dairy industry is lined up.”
Tauhara Moan a Trust is not looking for perfection, not even excellence, but is looking for constant improvement. Its kaupapa (principles) is based around its kaitiaki (guardianship) of the land, the water, and beyond that, its responsibility to the owner’s interests.
“We see information based decision making is the key for us,” Clinton says. “We are a system four farm in the Central Plateau, we’ve got a growth curve with deep shoulders.
“It’s about getting as many dollars out of it as we can, getting dollars per hectare up, getting production up is key, within the context of a regulated environment and kaitiakitanga for the land and water.”
Tauhara Moana Trust uses milk price futures contracts to minimise the risk of its approach, and has started to diversify into a large beef component which also helps to minimise risk.
‘Our kaupapa is that we don’t want to waste kai, so we’re working towards every calf, male and female, being raised. We’re using technology and better beef genetics to dial up the bulls for better beef, and we’ve expanded our calf rearing ability to now raise 800 calves, which may include some autumn born calves.”
Tauhara Moana Trust’s kaupapa is to apply the best technology it can afford to right from the start.
Not that the trust will tap into anything and everything as it comes available, rather aiming towards faming as best it can and as sustainably as possible.
Last spring Tauhara Moana Trust installed HALO milk and effluent monitoring systems, partly due to new milk temperature guidelines and irrigation reporting requirements, but also because it was the right thing to do.
The integration ability of the HALO systems was key, as was the ability to report to Council on regulations, as the trust farms in a sensitive catchment.
“Luckily our bank, BNZ, is supportive. It’s a vital time for the industry, with milk price, regulations, and global issues like China and Brexit. We’re thankful to have a good relationship and support from BNZ.”
Clinton says the real challenge, beyond unhelpful weather patterns and falling milk prices, lies in reaching goals set by Council for 50 years’ time when you’re not running a capital gains model.
“In the capital gains model, the return on investment will always be the same, but in the Maori philosophy, that’s not the case. “ We will still be the owners in 50 years, and in 100 years, so we have to absorb the costs ourselves.
These are the things that make the Maori approach a bit different, but Maori probably wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s definitely a challenge, but technology is going to bring the answers.”
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Intergenerational focus for Maori trust
