Maraeroa Papakāinga: A Homecoming for Utakura

On 29 November 2025, before the sun woke from its slumber, our community gathered in quiet anticipation to mark a moment many years in the making—the opening of Maraeroa Papakāinga.

As the first light crept across the whenua, a dawn blessing was held for each whare. One by one, the homes stood illuminated in the pre-dawn glow, warm and welcoming, carrying the hopes, aspirations, and collective effort of whānau who have long dreamed of seeing this papakāinga realised. It was a powerful and emotional moment—both a beginning and a homecoming.

Maraeroa Papakāinga represents far more than a housing development. It is the outcome of sustained collaboration, careful planning, and a shared commitment to strengthening whānau and community wellbeing in Utakura. The journey to this point has not been without its challenges, but those challenges have shaped a solution that is stronger, more resilient, and deeply grounded in tikanga and collective care.

What has been achieved here is not simply infrastructure. These homes embody manaakitanga, intergenerational thinking, and the principle that housing can—and should—support connection to whenua, whakapapa, and community. The papakāinga model allows our whānau to remain on their ancestral land, reinforcing identity, belonging, and long-term stability.

The opening of Maraeroa Papakāinga also reflects the power of partnership. We acknowledge with gratitude the support and confidence shown by The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Te Puni Kōkiri, Foundation North, and The Tindall Foundation. Their generous contributions have helped turn aspiration into lasting impact, enabling a development that responds to the real needs of our people and honours the values of collective living.

For Utakura, Maraeroa Papakāinga stands as a symbol of what is possible when vision is matched with perseverance and shared responsibility. As whānau prepare to make these houses their homes, the papakāinga will continue to grow not just as a place to live, but as a living expression of resilience, unity, and care for future generations.

This dawn marked more than the opening of doors—it marked the strengthening of a community.

Whakato Kohatu Mauri

A Momentous Ocassion: Laying the Mauri Stone for Our Papakāinga

Last Saturday, in the stillness of pre-dawn, when the Ao Wairua and the Ao Kikokiko coexist on the whenua, around 25 members of our whānau whānui gathered at Maraeroa. They left the comfort of their warm beds before the dawn chorus began, coming together to bear witness and tautoko the laying of the mauri stone at the site of our new papakāinga.

We were deeply privileged to have Uncle Tepania Kingi lead this tikanga. He shared the profound significance of this ancient practice, explaining that it marks a transformation of the whenua – from its role in nurturing kararehe (farming) to its new purpose of nurturing and protecting tangata (people). A karakia was recited, infusing the kohatu mauri with the collective life force of the gathered roopu, our whenua, our awa, and the sacred waters of Hokianga nui a Kupe.

We had the honour of having Uncle Eddie Muriwai on hand to place the mauri stone into the whenua. Having one of the original members of the Utakura 7 Incorporation Committee of Management present for this moment, 52 years after its formation, made the occasion truly surreal. It was hard not to feel the presence of te Ao Wairua among us, guiding and blessing this milestone.

The Committee of Management has reaffirmed our commitment to the Ka Tu Kainga Rua kaupapa – this vision has been expanded to assist not only our incorporation members but also whānau beyond, in realizing their housing aspirations. Achieving this requires unity of purpose and the collective efforts of all involved. Together, we can make this 2nd Mauri Stone ceremony of 2024 just one of many, paving the way for a brighter future for generations to come.

Tēnā koutou katoa for your support and aroha as we take these steps forward.

Mā whero, mā pango ka oti ai te mahi

Riverhead Villa QualMark Rating

We now have a QualMark rating of Silver for Riverhead Villa

Utakura 7 Incorporation AGM 2023

Ngā mihi to all those whanau who attended our AGM held at Mataitaua Marae.

We had a great turnout of Shareholders and Beneficiaries.

Remember to keep an eye out on our Facebook page for upcoming dates for the planned Strategic and Ka Tu Kainga Rua planning hui for next year.

We also welcome the two newest members to the Committee of Management – Makiha Moka and Darren Anderson.

We acknowledge both Jenny Marcroft and Ketu Rameka for their time and mahi over the last year.

2023 AGM held at Mataitaua Marae

25 November 2023

Chairperson’s Report

Ko te mea tuatahi e tuku ana i te reo o whakamoemiti ki te Atua mō ngā manaakitanga i uhia mai e ia ki a tātou katoa.Ka poroporoaki nui hoki ki ō tātou mate e whakangarongia atu ana ki tua o te ārai, nā reira e ngā mate, e moe, e moe, e moe mai rā koutou. Ki a tātou te hunga ora, tēnā tātou katoa.

After the disruptions that necessitated the postponement of both the 2021 and 2022 Annual General Meetings, we are pleased to present the Annual Report for the year of 2023 and to resume our standard practice of conducting this hui in November.

For the past few years, the committee has been diligently working on a range of initiatives aimed at benefiting our shareholders and community. During our 2022 Annual General Meeting, our continued commitment to these initiatives was overwhelmingly endorsed by the shareholders, and I’m pleased to report significant progress in three vital areas:

Technical Feasibility Projects: All assessments for potential commercial ventures have been completed.
Forestry Lease: A range of investigations have been conducted to ensure that we possess all the requisite information to navigate the next steps toward securing a more favourable outcome from the forestry lease.
Housing: Notable progress has been made in our housing initiative, Tu Kainga Rua. Additionally, we have obtained written consent to build on one of the blocks that were originally intended for papakainga.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our shareholders, whanaunga, and friends who have steadfastly supported these initiatives and our broader mission.

Detailed verbal reports on these projects will be presented by the committee members at the upcoming meeting.

This year marks the culmination of our current Strategic Plan, which has guided the committee’s efforts over the past five years. It’s an opportune moment for reflection and charting the course for the next five years. Our next step is to craft a new plan that defines our objectives, identifies key priorities and goals, and involves collaborative visioning. This process will engage the committee and shareholders in establishing vital strategic priorities and critical success factors that align with our vision for future generations.

The next step will be to design a comprehensive plan that unifies previous and ongoing discoveries for development opportunities.

Although we have already collected some very valuable information on various activities with development potential, we aim to ensure a thorough exploration of all possible options.

To achieve this, we need to expand our investigations, seek necessary support, and endeavour to complete this work by May 2024. Our objective is to reach a stage where we possess all the essential data to facilitate informed decision-making regarding future activities. All relevant information about development initiatives will then be put into a plan for open discussion with shareholders. The conclusion of this process will result in a Master Plan, embodying our collective vision, ready for adoption or adaptation by this and future committees to align with prevailing conditions.

The journey of conceptualising ideas and transforming them into actionable goals demands a substantial investment of time and unwavering dedication. From February 2022 to Feb 2023, our committee operated with a full complement of members with prior governance experience who were eager and capable of undertaking responsibilities. This not only strengthened the committee but also lightened the workload for all involved.

Regrettably, during this year, we encountered the departure of two valued members. Eddie Rameka made the difficult decision to resign in March due to health concerns, and Jenny Marcroft stepped away from the committee in June to resume her political career. These transitions have brought us back to our previous membership level of five. As we look ahead to the exciting developments on the horizon, we will require a full committee of skilled individuals who are well-versed in governance, or who are willing to undergo the necessary training to acquire governance skills to assist with bringing those developments to fruition.

To our shareholders, your active participation, insights, and support are indispensable in making these endeavours a reality. Together, we can ensure the success of our initiatives and the continued growth of our community.

In conclusion, our past accomplishments, along with various recent initiatives, reflect the unwavering resolve of those who work tirelessly on behalf of the collective. We also pay tribute to our tupuna, who, with great foresight, preserved this land for the benefit of future generations.

Looking ahead, we embark on the journey of crafting a new Strategic Plan to guide our actions and aspirations for the next five years. Additionally, we aim to identify all the elements necessary to develop a Master Plan, a comprehensive roadmap to guide our path forward. The challenges and opportunities that await us call for collaboration, commitment, and innovation. As we move forward, let our shared vision be the beacon that leads us to a brighter future for all generations.

Tēnā rā koutou katoa.

Na Tamalene Painting

Chair

Committee of Management

Utakura 7 Incorporation

The 2023 AGM Booklet has been added to this website.

Manuka Honey Joint Venture

Seeking Experienced Beekeeper for Sustainable Honey Production

Utakura 7 Inc. is seeking expressions of interest from an experienced and registered beekeeper to establish a mutually beneficial partnership in honey production.

As a sustainable beekeeper, you can work in perfect harmony with our unique Far North valley, situated on the upper reaches of the picturesque Hokianga Harbour. Our vast landholding can be easily accessed via well-maintained forestry tracks, offering a plethora of ideal locations for the placement of beehives. Notably, there are pockets of exquisite manuka and kanuka plants dispersed throughout the forest, providing an excellent environment for honey production.

At Utakura 7 Incorporation, we pride ourselves on producing authentic honey that captures the essence of our stunning natural surroundings. You’ll have the chance to sample the delightful honey harvested from previous seasons, which showcases the distinct flavours of our region.

If you are passionate about sustainable beekeeping and intrigued by the prospect of collaborating with us, we invite you to join us for a discussion on a two-year honey production arrangement. We welcome your input and look forward to hearing from dedicated beekeepers like you who share our commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible practices. Let’s create a partnership that benefits our businesses and supports the health and diversity of our local ecosystem. Get in touch with us today to explore this exciting opportunity together!