Successful AGM
The Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board held a very successful AGM at Te Whai o te Motu Marae at Ruatāhuna in January. More than 100 beneficiaries attended. Some beneficiaries were critical that six years of financial reports being presented but all appreciated that the Board now has the capability to be able to get the financial accounts audited and presented. Beneficiaries thanked the Board for posting the annual report and the financial accounts on the website Annual Report 2009.
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TheTrust is a ‘tāonga’
The Chair Te Toka Tēmara asked the AGM: What do you want your Board to do? What should be the future of the Board? Should the Board merge into some new entity when a treaty settlement occurs? What do you our owners want? The meeting was unanimous that the Trust’s fifty years of experience should not be lost just yet. Me pō takoto (‘let’s sleep on it’) some kaumātua said; ‘the Trust is a taonga’ said others. The Board will continue to consult beneficiaries about its future. What do you think?
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Meeting at Rūātoki
The Trust Board held its January meeting at Waikirikiri marae in Rūātoki. The meeting was open to our people. A number of senior kaumātua including Nanny Uru McGarvey (pictured), Mary Williams and Rangi Puke (pictured), Hori Thrupp, Frank Vercoe, Wycee Harawira and Pēpē MacDougall attended. It is part of the Board’s policy to be more transparent and accountable to our owners and to let owners be a part of what happens at a Board meeting.
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Te Kotahi a Tūhoe Report
At the Waikirikiri Board meeting the lead negotiator Tāmati Kruger, reported on the progress on the Waitangi Tribunal Claim. The key issues are the future of the 212,000 ha Te Urewera National Park and the amount of any settlement. The negotiators are asking for the Park to be returned to Tūhoe. The next stage in the negotiations is for the Crown to make a new formal offer which must then have a formal response. The negotiators expect to receive the new offer in the near future and believe the negotiations are going well.
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Development Grant Applications Open
Applications for the first round of Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board Development Grants are now open and close 31 March 2010. Only non-profit organisations are eligible to apply. Individuals and sports groups are not eligible. Before applying applicants need to read the Trusts grants policy and are urged to consult the Trust Annual Business Plan to see the Trust’s strategic goals, especially pages 2 &3. Applications must be on the official application form from the office or on the website www.tuhoe.iwi.nz/grants For further information email anne@tuhoe.iwi.nz.
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2010 Education Grants
The Trust Board has determined the opening and closing dates for education grant applications for 2010. Primary school applications open 26 February and close 2 April. Secondary school applications open 31 March and close 30 June. Diploma/undergraduate applications open 31 March and close 28 May. Post graduate/ PHD open 30 July and close 26 September. The application forms will be posted on the website www.tuhoe.iwi.nz/grants.
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Ahu Whenua Trusts
The Tūhoe-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Board administers eight Ahu Whenua Trusts and 15 reserves on behalf of beneficiaries. The Board has begun a review of every one of the Trusts and reserves, looking at the role of each, its administration and its financial reporting. Many of the Trusts have no income and were set up as a result of Māori Land Court decisions. The 15 reserves cover around 100 blocks. Many are small pieces of land often covered with native bush but some of the land is of great cultural significance. Most Trusts have not been succeeded to by most owners. The Board is working with the Māori Land Court to make it easier for owners to succeed to these Trusts. The Board has set the ambitious goal of having an AGM for each Trust. (Legally AGMs are not required for some of the Trusts but the Board feels it is best practice to hold an AGM where beneficiaries are given a report and the opportunity to present their wishes to the trustees). So you may be receiving this year an AGM notice for a Trust AGM. Keep checking our website. We update as issues come to hand. www.tuhoe.iwi.nz.
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Tūhoe company up for award
Joe Doherty (pictured) has a trekking company Te Urewera Treks which has been nominated for an international indigenous tourism & biodiversity website award to be presented in Germany later this year. Te Urewera Treks operates a range of unique eco-cultural wilderness treks bringing a truly special guided walking experience through remote indigenous podocarp and beech forests of Te Urewera and Whirinaki. www.teureweratreks.co.nz. We will be bringing you more information about our new Tūhoe Business Registration and its advantages, connecting Tūhoe with Tūhoe.
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