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Charles Russell, CEO, Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective
Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective is investing in the sustainable future of its people, land and businesses, with support from Westpac NZ.
The collective was established in 2018 and manages kiwifruit interests on behalf of North Island-based iwi companies Te Arawa Group Holdings, Rotoma No 1 Incorporation and Ngāti Awa Group Holdings. There are 225 hectares under management, across 11 different orchards.
Charles Russell is the Chief Executive of Mātai Pacific Iwi Collective and says he feels privileged to have grown up in New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry.
“My mother managed kiwifruit contracting in the Bay of Plenty in the 80s and 90s, so I started out pruning vines when I was nine or 10. I’ve pretty much done every primary role in the industry, from picking to packing, logistics and management.”
Mr Russell says the opportunity to oversee Mātai Pacific represented a way for him to contribute to the industry that raised him.
“This role is really meaningful, because the focus isn’t just about commercial outcomes, it’s about creating intergenerational prosperity for our people.”
Sustainability is a key strategic focus for the collective and its stakeholders, which made joining Westpac’s Sustainable Farm Loan programme a natural step.
“The application for the Sustainable Farm Loan really gave us insight into our practices and improvement goals... sustainability from a kaitiaki lens isn’t just about environmental factors, it’s also about making sure we’re economically viable and that we’re investing in our people.”
Westpac’s Sustainable Farm Loan is a whole of farm solution that provides discounted lending rates in return for customers working to meet the requirements of the Westpac Sustainable Farm Standard – a standard that encourages on-farm sustainability and resilience practices.
Mr Russell says the audit that’s required to enter the Sustainable Farm Loan programme prompted the collective to reflect on initiatives it has undertaken over the past few years, including partnering with the Bay of Plenty regional council to create a biodiversity wetland area and working with Plant and Food Research on a biodiversity monitoring trial.
“But it also helped us to look at what we weren’t doing – we've now mapped all the waterways we’re connected to, acknowledging our impact on the environment beyond the farm gate. And we’re also looking at how we’re building capacity and capability for Māori in the kiwifruit industry.
“Sustainability is very much a pathway – you've never got it perfect, but it’s good to be on the journey.”
Looking to the future, Mr Russell says the collective has ambitions to help other Māori organisations through ongoing sustainable investment in kiwifruit.
“We want to look at how Mātai Pacific can support other growers or Māori landowners to exercise their aspirations, helping them to grow in a way that is sustainable, intergenerational and transformative for Māori landowners and our communities.”
Westpac has banked the collective since it was formed and Mr Russell says the relationship is strong.
“We’ve had a great partnership with Westpac since day dot – the team are fantastic to work with and really meet our needs by providing us with advice and supporting us to grow.”
Some of the Matai Pacific Collective whānau, left to right: Leonie Hinaki (Admin), Tom Heeny (Operations & Orchard Manager), Fred Cookson (Shareholder Director - Te Arawa Holdings), Tiaki Hunia (Mātai Chair & Shareholder Director - Ngāti Awa Group Holdings), Sally Gardiner (Independent Director), Charles Russell (CEO | Manahautu), Trudi Ballantyne (Commercial), Alex Shortcliffe (Orchard Manager) Absent: Tony De Farias (Independent Director), Nelson Meha (Shareholder Director - Rotomā No1), Nick Cole (Finance), Tim Woodward (Operations)