| OTAMA MARERE TRUST |
History of Otama Marere
The Story of Otama Marere
The name Otama Marere comes from the pa site once occupied by Rangiiwaho and his whānau. Historically, it served as a stopover and overnight camp for travellers navigating the Kaituna River from the coast to Otama Marere or Pakatore. From here, walking tracks led inland to the lands and homes of related hapū. The surrounding wetlands were abundant with tuna (eel) and watercress, and areas of what is now the orchard were traditionally used to grow kumara, kamokamo, and other vegetables.
While the pa site itself is now on a neighbouring property, the land can still be traced back to Otama Marere. For many years, the land was leased to Te Puke Golf Club under a 60-year lease. In the 1980s, development into kiwifruit orchards began with funding from Māori Affairs, initially including nashi pears and sweet corn. The original development was carried out through the Māori Affairs and Labour Department PEP (Pre-Employment Programme), in a unique initiative where the work crew was entirely women, planting trees, building pergolas, and laying fencing.
By 1990, the development debt had grown to around $1.4 million with Māori Affairs. After negotiations, this was reduced to $50,000. Huia Tapsell, who managed the orchard at the time, sold the tractor to help pay off the debt and transitioned to a lease and profit-share arrangement with Seeka. In 2007, Homman Tapsell was appointed orchard manager.
In 2015, Homman Tapsell, Jade Chalmers, Petera Tapsell, Anthony Pecotic, and Aubrey Wilkinson were elected as Advisory Trustees. A year later, the Trust amalgamated with Whakawhiti Trust, uniting the two trusts under one title for the benefit of their largely overlapping owners. Today, Otama Marere Trust continues to partner with Seeka, with Homman Tapsell managing the orchard, while maintaining its commitment to protect the whenua, support its owners and beneficiaries, and honour the history and traditions of this special place.
The name Otama Marere comes from the pa site once occupied by Rangiiwaho and his whānau. Historically, it served as a stopover and overnight camp for travellers navigating the Kaituna River from the coast to Otama Marere or Pakatore. From here, walking tracks led inland to the lands and homes of related hapū. The surrounding wetlands were abundant with tuna (eel) and watercress, and areas of what is now the orchard were traditionally used to grow kumara, kamokamo, and other vegetables.
While the pa site itself is now on a neighbouring property, the land can still be traced back to Otama Marere. For many years, the land was leased to Te Puke Golf Club under a 60-year lease. In the 1980s, development into kiwifruit orchards began with funding from Māori Affairs, initially including nashi pears and sweet corn. The original development was carried out through the Māori Affairs and Labour Department PEP (Pre-Employment Programme), in a unique initiative where the work crew was entirely women, planting trees, building pergolas, and laying fencing.
By 1990, the development debt had grown to around $1.4 million with Māori Affairs. After negotiations, this was reduced to $50,000. Huia Tapsell, who managed the orchard at the time, sold the tractor to help pay off the debt and transitioned to a lease and profit-share arrangement with Seeka. In 2007, Homman Tapsell was appointed orchard manager.
In 2015, Homman Tapsell, Jade Chalmers, Petera Tapsell, Anthony Pecotic, and Aubrey Wilkinson were elected as Advisory Trustees. A year later, the Trust amalgamated with Whakawhiti Trust, uniting the two trusts under one title for the benefit of their largely overlapping owners. Today, Otama Marere Trust continues to partner with Seeka, with Homman Tapsell managing the orchard, while maintaining its commitment to protect the whenua, support its owners and beneficiaries, and honour the history and traditions of this special place.
