Wanaka town, New Zealand

Tainui Group Holdings (TGH)
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Portfolio valued at over $1.7 billion

 

Markets
Commercial Real Estate
Residential Real 
Industrial Real Estate
Agricultural Real Estate

 

Products
FlexProperty

 

Transforming Asset Management for Future Generations: Tainui Group Holdings’ Journey with YAVICA

Tainui Group Holdings (TGH), the commercial entity of Waikato-Tainui, partnered with YAVICA to transform the management of its property portfolio.

Overseeing diverse assets, from farmland and commercial properties to industrial developments, TGH manages a portfolio valued at over $1.7 billion. TGH needed a modern, scalable system to evolve with them and support their long-term vision. YAVICA’s FlexProperty, built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, provided the stability and flexibility they needed to support their mission of intergenerational growth. 


A mission-driven approach to asset management

For TGH, managing assets goes beyond business – it’s about supporting the tribe’s future and empowering community well-being. “He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata – the people, the people, the people. That’s what this is about to make the lives of tribal members better,” says Jane Nicklin, TGH’s Change Manager. This mission drives every decision TGH makes, from investments to property management, ensuring that the tribe’s assets contribute to long-term tribal initiatives in health, education, and cultural preservation. 

Richard Jefferies, Acting CEO, explains the challenges that led to their decision to seek a new system.

“We were facing two challenges: our company had grown significantly, and we were nearing the end of our SAP system’s life. We needed a system that could serve us for the long haul.”

– Richard Jefferies, Acting CEO at Tainui Group Holdings

FlexProperty allowed TGH to manage their growing portfolio in real-time, enabling better, faster decisions that would support the tribe’s goals. 


Choosing the right partner

TGH required a system that could adapt to their needs and align with their mission. “We’re responsible for a number of different assets, from farmland to commercial properties,” says Clayton Edge, TGH’s Project Manager. “Our obligation is to invest those assets in a way that respects the intrinsic value of the Whenua (the land) while also generating returns.” The shift from SAP to FlexProperty enabled TGH to keep pace with evolving needs, streamlining property management and improving reporting across their varied asset portfolio. 

Steven Smith, Business Intelligence Specialist at TGH, highlights the platform’s flexibility.

“YAVICA gave us the option to store data in ways we couldn’t before. Getting information out of the system efficiently was key to building really useful reports within the organization.”

– Steven Smith, Business Intelligence Specialist at Tainui Group Holdings

FlexProperty on Dynamics 365 empowered TGH to achieve deeper insights and a more dynamic approach to property management. 


A collaborative partnership across continents

The implementation required coordination across multiple time zones. Working alongside YAVICA and Fusion5, the implementation partner for Microsoft Dynamics 365, TGH turned this setup into an advantage. “The fact that we were often in different time zones worked in our favour,” says Clayton. “We could identify an issue in the afternoon, and it would be resolved by the next morning.” 

Aparajita Chaba, YAVICA’s Senior Functional Consultant, describes the teamwork that made the project run so well.

“It was a very collaborative effort. Everybody respected the value each person brought; there was mutual trust. Tainui treats people really well, and that showed in every aspect of the project. The whole process went very smoothly.”

 – Aparajita Chaba, Senior Functional Consultant at YAVICA


Guiding change with a people-centric approach

Change management was key to the project’s success, and TGH’s team embraced the transformation quickly. “Change is never easy, but D365’s simplicity and Flex Property’s intuitive design made a huge difference,” says Jane. “Our team embraced it quickly. Seeing them build confidence in the system confirmed we were on the right path.” 

For TGH, this approach wasn’t only about technology – it was about ensuring that every team member felt empowered and supported through the transition. YAVICA’s team provided hands-on guidance, helping TGH gain control over their data and building confidence in the new system. “YAVICA’s approach was about more than technology; it empowered us to take control of our data and grow,” says Steven. 

“They gave us templates, guidance, and expertise, which made a complex migration manageable. Now, we can rely on our data for real-time decisions.”

– Steven Smith, Business Intelligence Specialist at Tainui Group Holdings


Real results for an intergenerational vision

With FlexProperty now live, TGH can make data-driven, real-time decisions to grow asset value and meet long-term goals. “With Flex Property, we believe we have a system that supports our ultimate goal: growing our assets to grow our people,” says Richard.  

The system’s adaptability supports TGH’s long-term vision, with room for future growth. 

“Something that impresses me about FlexProperty is that there’s more capability within the tool than we’re currently using. I can see it supporting us through different areas of growth.”

Clayton Edge, Project Manager at Tainui Group Holdings

This strategic flexibility aligns perfectly with TGH’s goals, allowing the system to evolve alongside their assets and community-focused initiatives. 


A legacy of growth and responsibility

For TGH, this partnership reflects a commitment to responsible, sustainable growth. “He Tangata – the people – has been central to this project,” Jane reflects, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across Fusion5, YAVICA, and TGH. “I really hope to work with them again.”  

As TGH continues to grow its property portfolio, FlexProperty supports the tribe’s long-term vision, empowering them to build a legacy that will benefit Waikato-Tainui for generations.

“We have a system that will help us deliver our intergenerational goals. It’s all about growing our assets to grow our people.”

– Richard Jefferies, Acting CEO at Tainui Group Holdings

 

Tainui Group Holdings went live with YAVICA FlexProperty and Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O on October 1, 2024. 

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