Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands Inc.

Formation of Incorporation
The Ngati Whakaue Tribal Lands Incorporated was formed in 1960 with the amalgamation of some 34 individual parcels of land owned by approximately 4,500 Maori Owners. These blocks of land were amalgamated into three large farms details of which appear later in this information paper.

Structure of Incorporation
The Incorporation's structure could be likened to a Company but with a closed shareholding. There are 1.5m shares in the Incorporation which are owned by some 4,250 Shareholders. The shares in the Incorporation can only be sold, gifted or willed to other shareholders of the Incorporation or to direct descendants of the previous owner.

The owners elect a Management Committee consisting of seven members who may or may not be owners in the Incorporation. Each committee member sits for three years on the committee with retirements occurring by rotation and retiring members should they wish, being eligible for re-election. This means that a maximum of only four people will retire in any one year thus providing some continuity of management. The operation of the Incorporation is controlled by legislation and the Management Committee has the responsibility for governing the Incorporation on behalf of shareholders. It meets normally on a monthly basis and more often if there are urgent matters requiring consideration.

The Management Committee employs a number of staff to carry out its business and policies. A Secretary Accountant handles the shareholder administration and accounting functions of the Incorporation while a General Manager is employed to carry out the policy and business of the organisation. Each main activity is run as a separate Division or Company and has its own manager and staff.

The Management Committee reports to the owners each year with an annual report and a quarterly newsletter is published. In April 2000, a half year meeting for shareholders was initiated with a view to keeping shareholders informed of progress.

Business of the Incorporation
The main business of the Incorporation has been farming the original blocks in sheep & beef, dairy and forestry operations with a minor horticulture orchard.

The Incorporation purchased further land and property for commercial investment purposes since incorporation, including 'Brents Farm' and 'Gee's Block' adjoining Wharenui Station, three commercial buildings in Rotorua (which have now been sold), and recently Crater Lake Farm out at Tarawera.

Five houses and various telecommunication towers provide a significant rental business for the Incorporation
The Incorporation has also invested in a small tourism business, Mountain Action Ltd., providing trail rides on quad bikes and horses up Mt. Ngongotaha.
Investigations into new substantial tourism opportunities are currently underway.



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