About Us
Our vision
Tāne Mahuta NZ Limited vision is to “train, qualify and employ rangatahi to work on their whenua.” With over 40 years of experience in land-based industry – forestry and a Kaupapa Māori approach to training and employment, Tāne Mahuta has applied this method to overcome life's challenges for more than 450 rangatahi and whānau since its inception.
The atua (god) over the forests and lands, Tāne Mahuta has provided people with a customary right to work on their whenua under the mana of Te Waonui-a-Tāne. To improve the expectation that rangatahi can gain meaningful employment to work on their whenua, opportunities are provided for young people to train and work in their local area. As Te Tiriti o Waitangi partners, we work with local iwi, hapu, marae, community and government agencies to ensure rangatahi have the first opportunity to work on their whānau land.
He Aha Ai te mahi?
Me Pēhea
How
The LWYE™ Learn While You Earn™ model creates a career pathway with a Kaupapa Māori approach to training and gaining a qualification in the primary industries and other trades. The programme considers Hauora Oranganui (health and well-being) of tauira and kaimahi (staff) with our Kaihautū Pastoral Care service that removes barriers to working and learning. Through this approach, Tāne Mahuta is able to resonate with and understand many drawbacks rangatahi face in education and sustainable employment.
Our Founding Directors
Simon & Wini Geddes
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Whakapapa
Our History.
Tīmatanga / The Beginning
2012
In response to the alienation and displacement of Māori physically, mentally, economically and spiritually from their whenua, Tainui Kaumātua elder: Eru Thompson shared his vision with us, “to have the mana (authority) of the whenua (land) and ngahere (forest) returned to its people.” Eru inspired our founding directors to restore the mana of the people, to reconnect with the whenua, to censure the ngahere for better physical, mental, spiritual and economic outcomes for our future generations. Tāne Mahuta NZ Limited trading as Tāne Mahuta Trading Trust was registered on 22 November 2012.
Eru's Death
2013
Eru Te Rikawa Dallas Tawha Thompson, Waikato-Tainui, Te Kawerau-a-Maki, Te Ākitai, Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Māhanga left us in November 2014 with a legacy, and this whakatauki to say,
“I te poho o Papatūānuku, ka tū te puna taonga Tāne Mahuta mo te ora o te iwi.”
At the bosom of Papatūānuku, Tāne Mahuta is the source of wealth for the people.
- Eru Thompson