Development Proposal

Our key goal is to retain ownership of the land. Because of the number of beneficiaries, we believe the best plan is to focus on developments that provide benefits over time. We want to do this in a commercial way, because we believe that this approach will achieve the best outcomes for all of us.

There are significant costs associated with this, but also mutual benefits. For this reason, it is important for us to build good partnerships with our neighbours and make sure the associated costs are fairly shared.

To achieve this, we want to put in place a range of short, medium and long term leases so we can retain ownership and still benefit from the whenua. We can then build, own, and lease out the buildings, whether they are used for housing or light industrial buildings. This gives us the most flexibility and opportunity for the future. As much as we can, we will design, build and own all buildings using our collective talents.

Over time, we have explored a number of opportunities to develop the land however these have not been successful. This is because some uses of the land, like farming or cropping, are not viable because of its coastal, sandy soil. Now, with the growth in Tauranga, we can move ahead with work that will provide long-term returns back to our beneficiaries.

Over the past several years we have been working with the Tauranga City Council and neighbouring landowners to prepare for the eastward growth of Pāpamoa. We are now ready to work together to make the most of this opportunity in a way that fits our values and fulfils our responsibilities to beneficiaries.

At the same time, we have continued to stay engaged with our beneficiaries. We held a series of consultation hui in 2017 and received strong support from face to face talks with our people. After that we connected with a wider group of beneficiaries through a postal vote.

We sent voting forms to all beneficiaries with contact addresses recorded on our register. From that vote we received clear support to go further with our proposal.

We have continued to stay connected with our beneficiaries. We held a series of consultation hui and received strong support from face to face talks with our people.

The trustees consider the best option of all beneficiaries is to:

  • Build a clear plan outlining our aspiration and vision for our land block
  • Work with our neighbours to co-operate and develop partnerships for mutual benefit
  • Work with the Tauranga City Council and Government to encourage investment in infrastructure
  • Make use of development opportunities to provide benefits, grants and distribution to beneficiaries

Over the past 20-plus years, Tumu Kaituna land has been investigated for future urban development (light commercial, residential and recreational) as part of long term planning under the SmartGrowth strategy. SmartGrowth focuses on planned and sustainable growth in the Western Bay of Plenty.

smartgrowthbop.org.nz

More recently, Tauranga City Council has completed the Te Tumu Strategic Planning Study and has begun detailed investigations into a proposed plan change for the Pāpamoa East-Te Tumu areas. The Tumu Kaituna 14 trust land is part of this investigation.

Tauranga City Council Te Tumu Proposal

Before we can benefit from these initiatives, we need to have infrastructure funded to our boundary. After that we need to develop infrastructure (like water/wastewater and roading) within our own block and to connect us with our neighbours.

There are significant costs associated with this, but also mutual benefits. For this reason, it is important for us to build good partnerships with our neighbours and make sure the associated costs are shared fairly.

What we want How we can achieve it
  • Remain in control of our own destiny and future
  • Develop our land in consultation with beneficiaries : borrow money against the land to fund development and generate income from it through leases
  • Work as active and respected partners at the table with Council and other parties to ensure our own priorities are met
  • Provide education and health facilities on our land
  • Create an education precinct – working with the relevant government ministries and partners to deliver a high school and other socially important facilities
  • Provide housing opportunities for our people, and others within our hapori
  • Create a range of housing opportunities for our people and the wider community
  • Maintain and enhance our peoples’ connection to the land
  • Create an active cultural centre which will recognise who we are, highlight Tumu Kaituna’s rich history and to provide a place for hui and other gatherings.
  • Protect our heritage sites, our dunes and river margins
  • Ensure there is no development on important ecological sites, urupā, and other precious parts of our land block
  • Provide recreational sites for our people and the broader community
  • Create an active reserve incorporating a community sports field, gym and other recreational facilities. We can deliver this with Council through a long-term lease.
  • Create an oceanside campground for beneficiary use year-round. This would include a utility block and caretaker

The trust has willingly and actively participated in the planning process in order to protect places of significance and the most unique aspects of the natural environment and provide for long term results for our beneficiaries.