Huge development scheme planned

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 97, 15 December 1970, Page 3

Huge development scheme planned

The Department of Maori and Island Affairs is undertaking a huge development scheme in the Opotiki County which, in time, could turn 6100 acres of difficult, coastal Maori owned land into a first class sheep and cattie station. It is known as the Tawaroa Topu Scheme which lies 10 miles south west of Cape Runaway and extends south easterly from the coastal plateau to the more rugged country bordering the Raukamara Range. To facilitate better utilisation and administration, the 532 Maori owners agreed in 1967 to cancel the five existing titles and amalgamate the land into one block. From the early 1920's to 1967 the land had been leased out. In 1967 following amalgamation of the five titles a temporary grazing permit was granted to a local farmer until the Government could allocate the necessary funds for the department to take over the development of the scheme. In the early days the easy country of the block was cleared and sown, but during the past twenty odd years fern, scrub, blackberry, and otjier noxious weeds have started to take hold.

The existing pastures, through lack of manure, good farm husbandry and stock management, have deteriorated, but the block has a good potential for re-development. Development capital expenditure of $181,000 spread over a period of three years has been approved by the Board of Maori Affairs. This sum will cover costs incurred in new buildings, cattie and sheep yards, roads, tracks, 20 miles of fencing reticulation of electricity, renovations to various buildings, capital manure, purchase of stock, and new equipment. The department will be working closely with the Poverty Bay Catchment Board in the initial stages of development to ensure that soil conservation safeguards are adequate. Due to erosion problems on the block, 880 acres of native bush will be left intact. Initially, in the first year, 700 cattie and 2700 ewes will be run on the block. This will be built up over three years to reach a peak of 1000 cattie and 3500 breeding ewes. A development committee, comprising the District Officer, Rotorua; District Field Supervisor, Whakatane; and two local farmers, nominees

of the owners, Messrs Ben and Toko Callaghan, will meet periodically in the next three years. The main function of the development committee will be to prepare annual budgets. review regularly the general operations of the scheme and deal with any departure from the approved programme that may be warranted through climatic and/or other seasonal ; conditions. This committee which is a new innovation, gives the owners a greater participation ' in the management of their 1 land and is a plan, or pattern, that is welcomed by the department, as well as the owners. This scheme, with its future potential will add greatly to the future economic standing of the Maori owners of the Tawaroa Topu Scheme.