Hon Nanaia Mahuta
Minister for Māori Development
MP for Hauraki-Waikato
16 March 2018
Māori Trust develops retail heart in Rotorua
Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta congratulates Pukeroa-Oruawhata Group in Rotorua for the opening of Kmart on
their property today.
“Today marks a major milestone in the third stage of the Trade Central development in the heart of the city.
Pukeroa-Oruawhata has transformed the former Post Office and Telephone Works depot in to a retail centre with Kmart as
its anchor tenant.
“I’m honoured to join Ngāti Whakaue, Kmart and the Rotorua District Council in celebrating this occasion. This
investment by Pukeroa-Oruawhata is a great economic and social investment in the city and its people,” says Minister
Mahuta.
Pukeroa-Oruawhata Group manages properties in Rotorua on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue descendants. It has created more than
650 jobs across its developments including more than 250 jobs at the Trade Central site. Kmart alone now employs more
than 100 locals including Ngāti Whakaue descendants.
Minister Mahuta says Pukeroa-Oruawhata is fulfilling its vision to be a leading New Zealand business and to use its
resources to deliver social and economic returns to its shareholders.
“It has created new employment opportunities in the region, distributed benefits to its shareholders and steadily grown
its asset base to $230-million. Pukeroa-Oruawhata ia a great New Zealand and Māori success story that we can all be
proud of.”
As a mark of the partnership between Pukeroa-Oruawhata and Kmart, the organisations co-commissioned the carving of three
Pou (posts) which are located in the front of the Rotorua store. These Pou have been carved by Ngāti Whakaue carver Paki
Wilson and his team of master carvers. The new Rotorua Kmart will also feature a specially commissioned design on their
windows reflecting the eight tribes of Te Arawa called Ngā Pūmanawa e Waru o Te Arawa.
ends