In the shadow of Hawke’s Bay Airport lies a stretch of 1,330 hectares known as Ahuriri Station—land that represents not just property, but a profound cultural reconnection and economic opportunity for the region. As the Mana Ahuriri Trust moves forward with ambitious development plans for this significant parcel, a new chapter in Hawke’s Bay’s story is beginning to unfold.

A Historical Journey Coming Full Circle

For centuries, the area around what is now Ahuriri Station was part of Te Whanganui ā Orotu, a vibrant lagoon ecosystem that served as the lifeblood for local Māori communities. Rich in kaimoana (seafood) and natural resources, this area sustained generations before undergoing dramatic changes following European settlement.

In 1851, the Crown acquired these lands, separating local hapū from their ancestral territories for 170 years. The 2021 Treaty settlement that returned Ahuriri Station to Mana Ahuriri Trust marked a historic reconnection—restoring not just land but cultural heritage and economic potential to its traditional guardians.

Building on Recent Success: The Airport Acquisition

The Trust’s vision for regional development took a significant step forward recently,

“A milestone has been reached for the 50% sale of Hawkes Bay Airport with a price between the crown and the Mana Ahuriri Trust.  While the sale is not yet finalised, the process is well advanced” The New Zealand Herald.

This strategic acquisition could position Mana Ahuriri Trust as a key stakeholder in the region’s transportation infrastructure, creating natural synergies with their plans for nearby Ahuriri Station.

The potential airport investment demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to long-term regional development and their capacity to engage in major commercial ventures that benefit both their members and the wider Hawke’s Bay community. It also creates opportunities for integrated planning between these neighboring properties, potentially enhancing both developments.

A Comprehensive Vision for Ahuriri Station

Mana Ahuriri Trust’s development plans for Ahuriri Station are ambitious and multifaceted, designed to create intergenerational benefits while addressing pressing regional needs:

Housing Development

With plans for over 1,000 new homes, the residential development at Ahuriri Station aims to address housing shortages in Hawke’s Bay while creating a community where cultural values are embedded in design and planning. This housing will serve both Trust members and the wider community, with potential for innovative housing models that promote affordability and sustainability.

Industrial and Commercial Opportunities

An industrial precinct forms another cornerstone of the development vision, designed to create employment opportunities and economic resilience. This could include warehousing, technology hubs, or green manufacturing facilities—industries that would complement existing regional strengths while diversifying the local economy.

Cultural Heritage Protection

The development plans incorporate careful protection of wāhi taonga (treasured sites), including areas near the historically significant Pakake battle site. This cultural heritage component ensures that the area’s rich history remains visible and honored within any new development.

Environmental Restoration

Addressing both cultural values and climate resilience, wetland restoration forms a key part of the development strategy. These efforts will enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and create natural buffers against flooding and rising sea levels—challenges identified in environmental assessments of the property.

Sustainable Aquaculture

Perhaps one of the most innovative aspects of the development vision is the potential establishment of a sustainable fish farm. This initiative would create a modern echo of the traditional food gathering that once occurred in Te Whanganui ā Orotu lagoon, representing both cultural continuity and forward-looking enterprise.

Navigating Development Challenges

The Trust’s plans acknowledge significant challenges that must be addressed for successful development. Environmental studies by Tonkin + Taylor have identified hazards including flood risk, earthquake vulnerability, and sea level rise concerns.

Rather than seeing these as insurmountable obstacles, the Trust is exploring innovative solutions—elevating buildings in flood-prone areas, implementing enhanced stormwater systems, and using wetland restoration as natural infrastructure to mitigate environmental risks.

The financial aspects of the development also require careful navigation. While the Trust has reserves to support development, the full realization of their vision will likely involve strategic partnerships, phased development approaches, and leveraging the Fast Track status that has been granted to expedite the project.

Economic Impacts for Hawke’s Bay

When fully realized, the Ahuriri Station development has the potential to significantly impact the regional economy. Beyond the immediate construction jobs, the industrial precinct could create hundreds of permanent positions across various sectors.

The proximity to Hawke’s Bay Airport creates opportunities for businesses that benefit from transportation links, while the residential development would stimulate retail and service businesses in surrounding areas.

A Model of Integrated Development

What makes the Ahuriri Station development particularly noteworthy is its integrated approach—balancing economic, cultural, environmental, and social objectives rather than pursuing any single aim in isolation.

This holistic vision represents a potential model for development throughout New Zealand, demonstrating how Treaty settlements can serve as foundations for regional transformation that benefits Māori and non-Māori communities alike.

Looking Ahead

As planning continues and development begins to take shape over the coming years, Ahuriri Station stands to become one of the most significant transformation projects in Hawke’s Bay’s recent history.

The project represents more than just buildings and infrastructure—it embodies a vision where economic prosperity and cultural renaissance go hand in hand, where environmental restoration coexists with development, and where historical wrongs give way to future opportunities.

For Hawke’s Bay residents, this development promises new housing options, employment opportunities, and enhanced community spaces. For Mana Ahuriri Trust members, it represents the fulfillment of a long-held vision to reconnect with ancestral lands while creating sustainable prosperity for future generations.

As this ambitious project moves from planning to reality, it will undoubtedly reshape not just the physical landscape around Napier, but the economic and cultural landscape of the wider Hawke’s Bay region.

Note: The development of Ahuriri Station is currently in planning phases. Specific details of the development may evolve as the project progresses.

Mana Ahuriri Trust.