Tena Koutou Katoa
The Rūnanganui held its monthly meeting on the 19 March 2023, where a number of matters were discussed.
Mangakaware Cultural Impact Assessment
As whānau will be aware, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo and Ngāti Apakura participated in a handover ceremony with the Waipā District Council for the Lake Mangakaware Cultural Impact Assessment on Saturday 25 February 2023 at the Council Chambers of the Waipā District Council. While from the Councils point of view this was the end of the process, for the Rūnanganui it was part of a series of steps. The final step for the Rūnanganui was to bring the taonga back to the Poukai at Waipapa and present a copy of the report to Kingi Tuheitia.
I am pleased to advise that the report and the taonga was presented to Kingi Tuheitia. The whānau who had returned the taonga were also present for this process at the invitation of the Rūnanganui. Kingi Tuheitia has suggested that the Taonga be kept in Takuhiahia. The Rūnanganui will be working with the Waipapa Marae Trustees and Kaumatua to ensure a case is provided for the Taonga and an appropriate place in Takuhiahia for it to rest. We are hoping to arrange for this so that it can be unveiled at the Annual General Meeting in June.
Resource Management Committee
There have been no new applications for consideration, so the detail on the website remains unchanged. However, whānau are welcome to go to the website to see the work completed so far this year.
Annual General Meeting 2023
As I advised in my last message, the Annual General Meeting is planned for the 17 June 2023. Whānau are welcome to join us at the Marae from Friday the 16 June in preparation for the Annual General Meeting on the Saturday.
Whānau will recall that at the last AGM in July 2022, changes were made to the constitution, including increasing the term for Executive Committee Members and Officers. We have moved from an annual election cycle to a three-year cycle. For those who are interested in standing for the Executive Committee, the next three years will be a little different, so that we can get into a process of at least two members retiring every year. Members will of course be able to stand again if they wish to.
Waipapa Poukai
Several of the Committee Members were at this year’s Poukai, the first time many of us have been able to return because of the maintenance and repair programme underway at the Marae. It was wonderful time for reinvigorating the spirit and reconnecting with our extended whānau. I sent a message to Stephen and the rest of the Marae Committee thanking them for their efforts and how enjoyable the Poukai had been.
Many of you will have heard that Te Papi has been asked to take up further responsibilities for Kingi Tuheitia as Chief Advisor. We congratulate Te Papi on his appointment. This is a wonderful recognition for our whānaunga, but it also underlines the need for our wider whānau to support him as he takes up these duties. We intend to work with the Waipapa Marae Trustees to support initiatives that strengthens our capability and capacity across key areas of responsibility within the iwi, such as Reo, Kaikorero and Kaikaranga.
Financials
The Treasurer presented a quarterly report regarding the finances of the Rūnanganui. The financial report highlights that the Rūnanga is managing its accounts well. As indicated previously, the putea that is received is committed to payments for the completion of these projects, but we ensure there are reserves held back to cover our ongoing costs.
A full financial accounting for members will be provided at the Annual General Meeting in June.
The Treasurer also indicated that work around securing an internal auditor was underway, however he advised that an external auditor may be some way off as the Rūnanganui were not in a position to fund these costs at this time.
I hope that this information helps whānau keep abreast of the Rūnanganui activities and I look forward to seeing you all at our AGM in June.
Arohanui
Susan Turner
Chair, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo
