Te Korowai o Ngāruahine Trust Board (Board) held its first official hui of the new term.

A key theme that fell out of the hui was that of our mātāpono mahi kia tika. At the induction wānanga of the new Board, there were several kōrero that fall under the umbrella of ‘standing orders’, this includes, what do our mātāpono really mean?  And how or why resolutions and hui were structured the way they were? There was also kōrero around our use of te reo Māori, and our expectations around its use in Board hui and material. These whakaaro led to reviewing how we structure our hui, and this edition of the key messages reflects that structure. 

Awhi nuku, Awhi kerekere, Poua! Starting in the way we intend to continue

• In anticipation for our first hui, our Board held a series of short induction hui to ensure all Trustees had an understanding of the current state and hit the ground running. This also helped with continuity for operations, enforced compliance and ongoing performance. We went straight into the mahi!

• The new structure for hui resolutions were introduced. This whakaaro was influenced by our waiata tawhito and are outlined below:

Kawa: Ensuring we are steadfast in compliance

• The Board made the decision to return to monthly hui. This is to ensure the necessary Board resolutions are made to support Te Korowai o Ngāruahine compliance and performance. We will hold comprehensive bimonthly hui ā-kanohi, and shorter alternating hui remotely.

• This hui included standing compliance items, such as, Risk management and Health and Safety. Te Korowai o Ngāruahine is implementing integrated solutions to these kaupapa. This will ensure best practice, consistency, compliance and support the growth of the Group.

• We received a reforecast budget for the year, which included a $49k deficit. To put this planned deficit into perspective; it is less that 1% of the total budget, and over a period of high inflation that has resulted in an increase to overhead costs. At the last two AGM, Te Korowai Group emphasised that we wouldn’t see the same level of financial performance moving forward – we will continue to monitor this closely as we enter the last 6-months of this financial year.

• We discussed appointments to external boards, both representational and advisory. There was a consensus to develop a policy surrounding the approach to appointments, participation and reporting expectations for those appointed.
• National Iwi Chairs Forum (NICF)
• A set of guidelines were tabled and a report regarding the recent NICF hosted by Ngāi Tuahuriri and Ngāi Tahu
• The Pouwhakarae and Deputy will alternate attendance based on priority kaupapa and cost effectiveness of travel
• The Board appointed Rere-No-A-Rangi Pope as Te Korowai o Ngāruahine representative on the Rangatahi Forum
• The Board made the decision to appoint Ferinica Hawe-Foreman and Ngaraina Brooks as Te Korowai o Ngāruahine representatives on the South Taranaki District Council, Te Kāhui Matauraura. This rōpū is made up of representatives from the four Iwi within South Taranaki, along with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and one Councillor. This Committee provides an opportunity for district Iwi to discuss issues before making recommendations to the Council. 

Tikanga: Ensuring we perform and execute in a way that is tika

• The Board approved a three year professional learning and development (PLD) plan. This plan was informed by Te Ara Toiroa (Ngāruahine procurement strategy), ensuring a commitment to development and succession.  
• Ngāruahinetanga – Acknowledging and encouraging the ongoing commitment from all Trustees to Te Reo Māori, tikanga and ahurea. This includes; te reo Māori classes, ngā mahi ki te pā and hapū kaupapa.
• Tuakana/Teina - A tuakana/teina approach to support new Trustees and leverage off the wisdom of seasoned Trustees for the first 12months.
• Front loaded – Committing to significant PLD at the front end of the Board tenure, to ensure it is applied and benefits maximised for throughout the term.
• Needs aligned – the PLD is informed by the responsibilities of the Board and their appointments on subcommittees, such as, finance, audit and risk, health and safety.

• Te Kīwai Mauī o Ngāruahine (Mauī) is the investment subsidiary of Te Korowai, and each quarter they present their performance report. This hui included a presentation on their annual plan and progress. We look forward to hearing more about progress on our priority projects; Te Rere o Kapuni, Kāinga Whakaahurangi and Project Tūkau.
• A key update to the Board included the appointment of Dion Maaka as Chair of Mauī. Dion is a Ngāruahine uri who began as a Mauī Director in 2021, after a period of first serving as an Aspiring Director. Dion is the CFO at Toi Foundation and has a wealth of experience in senior financial leadership. Ki te hoe!
• We especially thank Taari Nicholas for his leadership as Chair of Mauī over the last two years. Taari, very hesitantly, took on the role of Chair with the view of keeping the waka going and supporting the transition period. We are very fortunate to continue to have his calm approach, depth of financial experience and dedication within Mauī as a Director. Thank you for your ongoing service to Ngāruahine.

• Our Tumu Whakarae provided a status report against the annual plan. This annual plan was presented at the recent AGM and included in the annual report. Kaimahi have made great progress on the planned mahi for the year, understanding this is a 15-month reporting year as we transition into a financial year ending 30 June. Moving forward we will include the attached status update.
• A key highlight is the significant 6% jump in registered uri, this is due to the election year and the significant engagement activities over the period. We would like to thank all our kaimahi for the amazing mahi, and most importantly to our validators. Our validators are appointed by each hapū, and hold a strong understanding of whakapapa. E kore e mutu ngā mihi ki a koutou.

Wānanga

• Our Hapū updates continue to be a key standing agenda item; where we discuss what is happening in our hapū and pā, and how we align our mahi to that.

• We hosted Ōkahu–Inuāwai Hapū at our Board hui to outline their strategic aspirations and priority mahi. This includes taiao kaupapa and a kāinga business case. The business case includes, a hapū based trades training kaupapa and affordable rentals for uri. We are excited at exploring opportunities to support hapū led kaupapa, especially those that align with the Toitū te Whenua partnership strategy. The Board has made the commitment to visit a hapū at each Board hui moving forward, and we look forward to touching base in 2024. 

Pai mārire!