Tōhu Whenua Projects Ltd
Kaitiakitanga in Action
From whenua restoration and papakāinga development to cultural heritage management and Māori-led infrastructure, we turn visions into reality with mātauranga Māori at the core.
Tohu Whenua Projects is a Māori-owned and focused project management consultancy founded in June 2024 by Sean Deery, a professional with over 30 years in land development and construction. Our iwi is Ngāti Porou, our roots are at Taharora Marae, Waipiro Bay. Operating from Canterbury with nationwide reach, we prioritise economic sustainability, equitable housing, and land guardianship through Te Ao Māori principles, high-performance cultural, and strategic partnerships.
Sean Deery
Director
Born in Te Puia Springs, north of Gisborne, Sean maintains strong ties to the Taharora marae at Waipiro Bay. He is also the Chair of the Paora and Takapuna Rangiuaia Whanau Trust and the Arataha A2A Ahu Whenua Trust.
EDUCATION
Auckland University
Education & Maori Studies (Maori Land Alienation)
NZIM Management
PMI Project Management
Prince 2 Certification
KEY SKILLS
Project Development and Land Development
Project Management
QA &QC Management
Negotiation & Conflict Resolution
Iwi liaison specialist
Planning Commissioner
Lean construction methodology experience
OUR MISSION
To deliver comprehensive project management for Māori initiatives, overseeing everything from planning and remediation to feasibility studies, insurance claims, and stakeholder engagement. Our focus ensures projects respect the environment, whakapapa, and community aspirations, driving positive outcomes in housing, ecology, and infrastructure.
Why Work With Us?
Māori land projects are unique. They require more than just technical expertise.
We bring:
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A deep understanding of Māori land, governance, and tikanga
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Strong experience navigating funding, delivery, building and planning compliance
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A relationship-first approach built on trust, clarity, and accountability
Our role is to aligned with your Kaupapa while ensuring your project is delivered successfully.
Our Approach
Every Kaupapa is different — but our approach is consistent.
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Listen & Understand
We take time to understand your whenua, whānau, and aspirations.
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Plan with Clarity
Turning vision into achievable, well-structured project pathways.
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Deliver with Care
Managing risk, stakeholders, and delivery with transparency.
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Build Capability
Strengthening confidence and knowledge within your organisation.
WHO WE ARE
Tohu Whenua Projects is a project management consultancy established on 26 June 2024 by Sean , who has a strong background in Māori land trusts, including roles as Chair/Trustee and Project Lead for developments including the Arataha Ahu Whenua Trust Papakāinga.
We focus on enabling whānau and whenua to achieve economic sustainability, equitable housing outcomes, and kaitiakitanga. Our core values emphasize Te Ao Māori culture, high performance, strategic alliances, and alignment with whānau aspirations, guided by principles that include mutual respect, continuous improvement, and delivering great results.
We provide end-to-end project management services for Māori-led initiatives, from inception through to delivery, ensuring projects honor te taiao, whakapapa, and tangata whenua aspirations. This includes developing project execution plans, managing remediation and restoration efforts, managing complex insurance claims, conducting feasibility studies, and facilitating strategic planning. We assist Whānau Trusts with land recovery, environmental assessments, funding applications, and infrastructure development, while building stakeholder relationships, performing risk analysis, and overseeing design, construction, and handover. Our work supports community stability, cultural heritage, and positive social impacts through well-managed projects in sectors that include housing, ecology, and infrastructure.
We Specialise in :
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Whenua Restoration and Biodiversity: Protecting, maintaining, and recloaking land through ecological reports, remediation plans, and mitigation of farming impacts, with a Te Ao Māori emphasis on kaitiakitanga.
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Papakainga and Māori Housing Developments:
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Planning and delivering affordable housing on Māori land, including concept designs, funding exploration and infrastructure including fencing, Power/Water/Wastewater utilities together with project and construction management services.
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Marae and Cultural Heritage Management:
Remediation of marae sites, insurance resets, and preservation of sites of significance.
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Strategic Planning and Feasibility Studies:
Creating business cases, risk registers, schedules, and governance structures for iwi/hapū projects, including aspirations mapping and continuous improvement workshops.
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Māori Infrastructure and Partnerships: Managing land alienation recovery, co-governance, mahinga kai/freshwater projects, and collaborations with agencies including District/Regional Councils, Te Puni Kōkiri, and insurers for sustainable outcomes.
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Land and Environmental Consulting: Detailed assessments of flora, fauna, and ecosystems, proposing solutions for economic and ecological sustainability on Māori owned blocks similar to Arataha A2A.