Review Will Enable Greater Prosperity for Waikato-Tainu

Media Release

24 May 2013

Structure Review Will Enable Greater Prosperity for Waikato-Tainui

The call by Kiingi Tuheitia to seek a new, more efficient and effective way to deliver a better outcome for Waikato-Tainui is gaining greater impetus with a hui-aa-iwi scheduled to be held on 1 June 2013.

At the hui Waikato-Tainui will confirm its decision to undertake a comprehensive review of the tribe’s governance and representation structures with the aim of creating a new model that enables greater leadership, stability, effective decision-making, communication and accountability.

The decision follows a tribal hui held earlier this year where members expressed a clear desire for an improved structure that would better allow the tribe to more effectively pursue social and economic prosperity.

The review will be overseen by a sponsor group comprising Kiingi Tuheitia, the chairpersons of each tribal entity including Tuku Morgan (interim chair of Te Kauhanganui and King’s alternate), Tom Roa (chair of Te Arataura), Sir Henry van der Heyden (chair of Tainui Group Holdings) and Nanaia Mahuta as the King’s appointee. Ms Mahuta and Sir Henry van der Heyden are co-chairs of the sponsor group.

A working party has also been assembled to clarify issues pertaining to the current structure and develop potential replacement options. Members of the working party are Parekawhia McLean (CEO of the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust), Mike Pohio (CEO of Tainui Group Holdings), Rangi Whakaruru (Office of the King), and Tania Simpson (King’s appointee).
The review team will make its first report back to tribal members at the hui-aa-iwi at Tuurangawaewae Marae, Ngaaruaawahia. The hui will cover progress to date including the development of Terms of Reference and the process that the review will undertake.

“While the current structure has served us for 14 years and enabled the tribe to undergo solid growth, as a tribal entity we have evolved significantly. Our development aspirations and commercial needs have advanced and grown more complex, requiring a governance structure that is representative and will foster and deliver on the prosperity aspirations that we have as a people,” said Ms Mahuta.

“Tribal members have also acknowledged that there is a need for a structure that promotes constructive governance decision-making and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of our structure. They want to see an end to the division and dissent that has been evident at the leadership level,” she said.

“Our role as the review team is to identify the key impediments to achieving the development aspirations of the tribe, identify the scope of change required to achieve greater efficiency, effectiveness and integrity of decision-making, identify ways in which Kiingitanga principles and tikanga can support improved governance, and develop options for a new model.”

Ms Mahuta said the review team was committed to transparency, accountability, and engagement with tribal members throughout the process. The team that had been assembled was highly skilled and well-placed to conduct an open-minded evaluation of the issues and potential solutions.

Consultation with tribal members is a priority and members will be encouraged to contribute and provide feedback at each stage of development. Tribal members are urged to attend the hui-aa-iwi at Ngaaruawaahia, commencing at 9.30am.

The day will begin at 7am with a ceremony at the Octagon Park in Ngaaruawaahia to celebrate Matariki, the Maaori New Year, and to mark the blessing and unveiling of a newly commissioned sculpture of the Kiingi Tawhiao Mask.

EVENT DETAILS:
Matariki Celebration and Unveiling of Kiingi Taawhiao Mask
Octagon Park (opposite Tuurangawaewae House), Eyre St, Ngaaruawaahia
Saturday 1 June 2013, 7am
Followed by Haakari at Tuurangawaewae Marae, River Rd, Ngaaruawaahia, 8am

Hui-aa-Iwi
Tuurangawaewae Marae
Saturday 1 June 2013, 9.30am-1pm

ends

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