“Access to Ocean Beach’s Te Puia Hot Springs in the early days by Kāwhia residents was over the dunes of black sand that was slowly inching its way into the township until the early 1960s when this pine forest was established by the Crown to prevent any further encroachment of sand onto Kāwhia. Prior to the first harvest in the late 1990s the proprietors of Tainui Kāwhia Inc., one of the first Māori landowners, purchased Crown’s interest in the exotic trees covering some 1,000 hectares.

The more than eight hundred shareholders own the whenua for the benefit of future generations”.

Derek Wooster

Welcome to

Tainui Kāwhia

Incorporation

Who are we

and what do we do?

Tainui Kāwhia Incorporation (TKI) stands as a testament to the enduring connection between the land and its people, managing a significant expanse of commercial pine forest in Kāwhia. This incorporation, steered by a dedicated committee of management, not only oversees forestry operations but also holds commercial properties in the bustling city of Auckland. With an eye towards sustainable development, TKI has delved into the potential of mineral extraction from the iron-rich sands of Kāwhia, exploring avenues that could bolster the local economy while honoring the stewardship of the land. The incorporation's proactive approach in seeking new opportunities promises exciting developments, poised to enhance the prosperity of its shareholders and the wider community.

What’s Happening

at TKI?

Community Consultation Meeting Two

Kāwhia community gathered in the community hall to discuss the volume of logging trucks on the road currently. 07/05/2025.

TKI’s Forestry Manager Speaks to the King Country News

Interviewed by Chris Gardner of the King Country News [Issue-April 3rd, 2025], Hano speaks of the danger posed by “boy-racers” doing burnouts in the TKI Forest.

Quote “Tainui Kāwhia Forest manager Hano Ormsby fears boy racer burnouts in Kāwhia’s Ocean Beach car park could spark a forest fire that spreads to the village.”

Hano also goes on to talk about the lack of a permanent police presence in Kāwhia.

To learn more, click on the image.