Frequently Asked Questions

The George Family Declaration is a way for us to come together as one family, to honour and celebrate our Atiuan identity and heritage.

Through this Declaration, a Trust is established to care for and guide the use of our George Family lands on Atiu now and for future generations.

These activities may include:

• Family and visitor accommodation
• Cultural, arts, and education initiatives
• Caring for our land in a sustainable way

Everything we do is grounded in respect for our whenua, our people, and our shared future.

Our Trustees are chosen to serve the family with care, integrity, and vision.

Their role is to look after the activities on family land that has been entrusted to them, ensuring it is managed wisely and responsibly so it can grow into a strong and lasting asset for all George Family descendants.

Any George Family land on Atiu can be placed under the care of the Trust if the landowners choose to do so.

This includes land that is already identified, as well as land that may be entrusted to the Trust in the future.

Any George Family landowner has the choice to lease their land to the Trust.

Landowners are those recognised through family succession and legal title. Importantly, this is always a choice — never an obligation.

Many of our lands are shared across families, generations, and locations, and this can sometimes make it difficult to manage or develop them.

The Trust provides a way for us to:

• Care for our lands together
• Create opportunities for our people
• Strengthen our cultural and family connections
• Ensure our lands continue to provide for future generations

It allows us to move forward collectively, while still respecting individual ownership.

The Trust exists for the benefit of all descendants of the George Family line of Te Ariki Akamuri Itoro O Tere Ā.

This includes:

• Our current generation
• Our children and grandchildren
• Future generations to come
• Adopted and natural descendants

In this way, the Trust reflects the true spirit of family — past, present, and future.

By working together, we can:

• Strengthen the care and use of our lands
• Create economic opportunities
• Support cultural and environmental wellbeing
• Build something meaningful for generations to come

Benefits may include:

• Lease income for landowners
• Opportunities to start or support family businesses
• Shared returns from activities on the land
• Long term financial support for beneficiaries

There are many ways to be involved:

• Ensure your family line is recognised
• Complete your land succession where needed
• Support or nominate Trustees from your family line
• Share ideas and opportunities for land use
• Stay connected and informed through the family website

Every contribution — big or small — helps strengthen our collective future.