Major Water Infrastructure Unveiled In Wairoa To Unlock Māori Land Potential

Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka has marked a major milestone for regional Māori economic development, officially unveiling the first phase of a 150-megalitre water storage facility during a recent visit to Whakapau Orchard in Wairoa — a game-changing investment set to unlock productivity of Māori-owned land. The development is supported by Te Puni Kōkiri through the Te Ringa Hāpai Fund.

The water storage project forms a cornerstone of a long-term strategy to support Haumako — a horticultural enterprise led by Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa — which aims to transform whenua in Wairoa into high performing sustainable horticulture that delivers both commercial and cultural returns. With water security now assured, the initiative opens up significant investment opportunities into Haumako, enabling the development of orchards, cropping, and other high-value horticultural ventures.

As a direct result of this investment, it will enable Haumako to unlock the potential to create 134 jobs as it provides resilience to current orchards and enable further developments.

The investment is part of a broader vision to position Wairoa as a major horticulture hub within Te Matau-a-Māui / Hawke’s Bay. Since 2021, Te Puni Kōkiri has supported early-stage engagement with Māori landowners through feasibility studies, technical advice, and planning workshops — laying the groundwork for scalable, long-term development.

Leon Symes, Chair of Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust and Co-Chair of Matariki Regional Economic Development, said:

“Wairoa is our next focus for horticulture growth in the region. We’ve always seen this as a way of increasing productivity and building a strong Māori economy. This infrastructure is the enabler.”

The water infrastructure directly addresses one of the biggest barriers to unlocking Māori land potential - water certainty - and plays a pivotal role in attracting long-term capital investment.

Shayne Walker, Chair of Tātau Tātau Commercial, E Tipu said:

‘This infrastructure future proofs our business and will provide long term resilience for our horticulture development and our people. Horticulture as a long-term investment needs to be able to respond to climate change and this water provides confidence to our whānau.’

The facility has been designed with environmental sustainability at its core. It includes taiao monitoring, riparian planting, and a commitment to ensuring no negative impacts on local waterways and fish species— reflecting the values of kaitiakitanga and tikanga Māori in action.

Robin Kaa, General Manager of Haumako, said:

“Our water storage gives us security by capturing fresh water at high tide. It reduces risk, supports high-value crops, and creates a model for future Māori-led horticulture.

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