Today, the Pūkaha Mt Bruce Board and Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā announced the completion of a sale and purchase agreement that enables the transfer of the Wānanga Taiao at Pūkaha to Rangitāne. This agreement follows a heads of agreement signed in July 2025.

Pūkaha Chair Shane McManaway and Rangitāne Tū Mai Rā Trust Chair Sonya Rīmene said the agreement is a significant milestone in Pūkaha’s financial recovery. It will enable Pūkaha to manage its debt responsibly and enable Rangitāne to own and operate the Whare Wānanga. This will strengthen Pūkaha’s partnership with Rangitāne and provide both parties the opportunity to focus on building a strong and sustainable future.

“This week marks a significant milestone for us, following a careful and thorough process” said Shane McManaway. “We’ve signed an agreement with Rangitāne that allows us to responsibly address our debt and will ensure Pūkaha continues to operate smoothly throughout our recovery phase”.

“Looking ahead, we are developing a clear and confident plan to revitalise Pūkaha by rebuilding stronger than ever and focusing on what matters most: our core strengths in tourism, conservation, and advocacy, and the vital role we play in our community.”

Sonya Rīmene added “This is a strategic investment for Rangitāne that reflects our commitment to our whenua taonga. Pūkaha is the heart of Wairarapa and Tāmaki-nui-ā-Rua and has the potential to be a world-class facility. We look forward to working with the Pūkaha Mt Bruce Board and our communities to bring new energy to our place”.

Shane McManaway said Pūkaha’s doors are well and truly open for business. Both he and Sonya Rīmene wanted to acknowledge Pūkaha’s long term sponsors and funders who are committed to ensuring the site’s future success, and members of the public who fundraised $90,000 for the site in just two months.

“We’ve had wonderful support from Central Energy Trust in the form of a loan converted to a grant, along with financial support from Masterton District Council, Tararua District Council and Trust House. In addition, individuals and businesses throughout Manawatu, Tararua and Wairarapa have all dug deep and now this incredible investment from Rangitāne has motivated us all to focus on Pūkaha’s road to recovery.”

Note:

Pūkaha sits on a 940 hectare reserve that is owned by the Department of Conservation (DOC) on behalf of the Crown. It was gifted to Rangitāne as part of its Treaty Settlement in 2017 and Rangitāne gifted the lands back to the people of New Zealand in 2021.

Te Wānanga Taiao was built in 2023 with assistance from the Provincial Growth Fund administered by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). DOC and MBIE have endorsed the sale and purchase agreement, and DOC has granted a stand-alone concession to Rangitāne for the land underneath Te Wānanga Taiao.

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