Taumore Ahu Whenua Trustees

Interim Committee Statement

The Taumore Interim Committee is currently acting in good faith on behalf of the whānau until such time as the Māori Land Court approves the elected trustees and the formal establishment of the Taumore Ahu Whenua Trust (arising from the succession of Noelene Roka Danford, née Rhind). The committee and trustees were elected at the Taumore whānau hui held on 8 June 2025.

Our long-term kaupapa is to protect and preserve this whenua for whānau benefit, with the ultimate goal of forming a Māori reservation once succession is finalised and the Court has made its ruling.

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The Taumore Ahu Whenua Trust was established to honour the legacy and gifting intentions of our uncle, William Thomas (Billy) Castle, who made provision for his whānau in both word and will. His vision was to ensure that this whenua remained in the hands of his descendants for the collective benefit of our hapū and whānau — the descendants of Hautakiri Thomas Castle and Roka Emily Castle.

At the heart of the Trust is the principle of protection and preservation of the whenua, ensuring it remains safeguarded from fragmentation, sale, or misuse, while also providing for sustainable intergenerational development that aligns with our whakapapa, tikanga, and collective values.

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Our Purpose

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The primary purpose of the Taumore Ahu Whenua Trust is to:

• Secure the legal status and governance structure of the land to reflect the original gifting intentions and protect it under the collective management of whānau.

• Provide transparent, accountable, and future-focused leadership for the whenua.

• Maintain the spiritual, cultural, historical, and economic integrity of the Taumore blocks, ensuring whānau can access, utilise, and benefit from the whenua in accordance with tikanga Māori and the principles of kaitiakitanga.​

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Our Objectives

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1. Whenua Protection & Legal Stewardship

   • Uphold the intent of Uncle Billy’s gifting by ensuring the whenua remains collectively owned, protected under the Ahu Whenua Trust structure.

   • Manage legal matters including succession, trust formation, estoppel claims, and protection against any future disputes or fragmentation.

2. Whānau Empowerment & Development

   • Create pathways for whānau to reconnect with and utilise the whenua.

   • Develop leadership capacity within the whānau through governance training, administration, financial literacy, and legal education related to Māori land law.

   • Facilitate trades training, papakāinga building skills, and management expertise to support the whānau’s capacity to develop the land.

3. Papakāinga & Marae Development

   • Plan and establish a papakāinga housing project that provides safe, affordable housing options for whānau wishing to return to the whenua.

   • Support the establishment of a future marae as a cultural, spiritual, and operational hub for the wider hapū.

   • Ensure papakāinga development aligns with modern infrastructure standards while respecting environmental and cultural values.

4. Sustainable Land Use & Environmental Stewardship

   • Implement regenerative landscaping, planting, and whenua restoration projects to preserve the health of the land for future generations.

   • Explore opportunities for sustainable farming, horticulture, or small-scale enterprises that align with our values.

   • Balance development with long-term environmental care, recognising our role as kaitiaki of the whenua.

5. Whakapapa Integrity & Whānau Unity

   • Preserve and uphold the whakapapa connections that bind us to this whenua, ensuring all descendants of Hautakiri Thomas and Roka Emily Castle have the opportunity to be involved.

   • Promote whānau unity and inclusiveness, ensuring fair and transparent processes for participation, governance, and benefit sharing.

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Our Vision for the Future

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The Taumore Ahu Whenua Trust is committed to laying a strong foundation not only for present whānau members but for our mokopuna and their descendants. Through careful planning, collective decision-making, and responsible stewardship, we aim to create:

• A self-sustaining, thriving papakāinga community.

• A strong governance structure that can respond to the needs of whānau while protecting the whenua from external threats.

• Ongoing opportunities for education, training, and employment directly connected to the whenua.

• A living legacy that fulfils Uncle Billy’s wishes while evolving to meet the needs of future generations.