The Maniapoto Trades and Services manage the resource base of the organisation: –

• The commercial buildings in Taumarunui and Te Kūiti
• The farming properties in Waitomo and Ōtorohanga, and,
• The forestry estate.

Setup in 1997 as a small contracting operation to provide employment for graduates from the Maniapoto Training Agency training programmes, it progressed into establishing commercial forestry and farming ventures where students from our forestry and farming courses were able to apply their studies in a practical environment.

The Trust has progressively invested into its own farm and forestry blocks allowing our students to participate fully in activities required to manage these enterprises.  

Surplus income from the farming and forestry activities is channelled back into the charitable work of the Trust thereby supporting our community health and well-being services for whānau. 

With this co-operative approach, it provides opportunities to retain our local rangatahi talent in Maniapoto whilst building the Trusts capacity and capability to build the cultural, social, and economic development of our people. 

The Maniapoto Trades and Services division is another important part of the Trust’s long-term strategy for Maniapoto to prosper and flourish in a sustainable and self-determining way.