Whenua Oho

21/10/2026

21/10/2026

Waipā Stream Native Plant Restoration 🌱🌿

In September 2026, the restoration of a much-loved part of Whakarewarewa Forest took an important step forward. Staff, contractors, community members and partners came together alongside the Waipa Stream to plant native trees and begin transforming this former production forest into a permanent nati...

17/09/2026

Te Kapunga Dewes leads an ecosystem of forestry-related companies as CEO, including Ngahere Oho, a specialist forestry management and innovation business; Whenua Oho, a specialist Māori forestry advisory and consultancy service; Tahua Ngahere, providing innovative Māori solutions for financing afforestation projects. He brings over 30 years of applied experience across commercial forestry, wood processing, forest management, and silvicultural operations in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Te Kapunga will be a speaker at our 2026 Beyond the 'Canopy' conference, discussing the benefits of using technology to measure our native forests' structure, growth and carbon-storage. Improved measurement capability allows forest owners to better understand the carbon, water and species ecosystems, to make evidence-based decisions on land management, harvest opportunities and pest control. Drawing on recent forestry projects, he will be sharing how we can use Technology to make better decisions about the management of our native forests.

Details of the Conference Programme including Speakers and Sponsors are accessible on our website. https://www.tanestrees.org.nz/news-events/articles/beyond-the-canopy-16-17-october-2026/

Join us in Nelson, 16-17 October 2026.

Event tickets are available here from Humanitix. https://events.humanitix.com/beyond-the-canopy-rethinking-how-we-grow-native-forests

15/09/2026

"Me raupā ōku ringa, kia ao ōku wawata" 🌿

Whenua Oho is proud to celebrate Te Kapunga Dewes, recipient of the Māori Leadership Award at the annual NZ Leadership Awards 2026.

This well-deserved recognition honours Te Kapunga’s unwavering commitment to advancing Māori landowners’ interests and aspirations in forestry. His leadership champions a future where Māori landowners shape the decisions affecting their whenua, with opportunities that reflect their values and ambitions for generations to come.

A proud moment to celebrate Te Kapunga and the strength of Māori leadership.

07/09/2026

It is always a privilege to share practical forestry and land-use opportunities with Māori landowners and trustees. This time with Māori landowners in Taumarunui.

Through Whenua Oho, Ngahere Oho and Tahua Ngahere, we support Māori trusts to explore land-use options, plan and manage forests, access carbon opportunities, and consider finance for afforestation.

Our approach is Māori-led and grounded in the aspirations of whānau, shareholders and future generations.

"He whakaoho i te whenua ki ngā hua o Tāne, kia toitū a Papa, kia whai oranga mō te iwi, mā te iwi me ngā uri whakatipu"

03/09/2026

Site visit to Rangitoto Tuhua 67B4A, Taumarunui.

03/09/2026

Whenua Oho is proud to have facilitated a joint venture partnership between Rangitoto Tūhua 67B4A Trust and Tahua Ngahere.

This partnership marks a new and exciting chapter in the development of the Trust’s whenua—one grounded in shared purpose, long-term opportunity, and the aspirations of its trustees and shareholders.

This is the culmination of four years Whenua Oho working alongside the Trust to achieve its aspiration to reclaim control over their whenua and create stronger financial, social and environmental outcomes; protect and enhance the whenua and waterways; and build a legacy for future generations.

At Whenua Oho, we value partnerships that place whenua, people and future generations at the centre. We look forward to seeing this kaupapa grow and deliver enduring value for the Trust and its whānau.

01/07/2026

Ngā mihi to Shontelle Bishara and the Bioeconomy Science Institute crew for inviting Te Kapunga Dewes to kōrero with the awesome tauira from Auckland Uni’s Kurutao Programme.

The rōpū got a deep look into Whenua Oho’s ānāmata — the future vision and the mahi that aligns iwi aspirations, capability, industry partners and innovation across the bioeconomy.

So many sharp minds in the room. Future leaders loading.

Big ups to Te Maruata Maxwell and Neria Brewerton for guiding the rōpū. Plenty of gems were taken away for their own journeys.

15/06/2026

Seeing pest pressure before it costs you.

Young radiata pine stands are most vulnerable in the first few years — and pest damage often happens before it’s even visible.
Using thermal and night vision drones, we can now:

Detect pest activity at night
Map density hotspots across your forest
Target control where it matters most

It’s a smarter, more proactive way to protect your forest investment from day one.

👉 Read more about how this technology is changing forest establishment: https://interpine.nz/protect-your-radiata-pine-forest-investment-mapping-pest-density-with-night-infrared-drone-technology/

09/06/2026

Monitoring Whio populations in remote rivers of Aotearoa