Kia ora Whānau
The last month has been a very busy one for us, culminating in our Annual General Meeting.
I thought I would give you a bit of an update on what was discussed at our AGM and how I felt things went.
As always, the AGM was one where the committee were able to tell the whānau what we have been doing for the last year and the whānau have an opportunity to tell the Executive Committee how they feel we have performed in the last 12 months.
AGMs can sometimes be, rightly so, challenging. I am pleased to say that I believe our hui went well, because our whanau were able to express their views and feedback of the Rūnanganui’s performance over the last 12 months.
Vision and Strategy Workshop
The first part of our hui was used to workshop with whānau what their aspirations and vision is for our people over the short and long term. It was an excellent opportunity for whānau to speak on what they believe the Rūnanganui should be focusing on and where it’s effort should be placed. The session was facilitated by Lees Seymour, and I personally found it to be both informative and extremely compelling.
We have committed to taking this feedback and incorporating it into the work that has already been undertaken by the Executive Committee and feed the final product back to whānau in the next quarter.
Annual Report for the 2022/23 Year
I believe the 2023 Annual Report was well received by whānau, and included reports from myself as chair, the Financial Accounts as presented by the Treasurer, a report from the Resource Management and Endorsement and Support Committees and an update from the Claims Manager. The year has been challenging but also rewarding, with new processes and frameworks in place for the Resource Management Committee which has allowed it to engage with a number of organisations on over a dozen consultation requests. We are also in a much better place financially and this is primarily due to the controls that have been implemented by the treasurer which has led to a much more robust financial management of expenditure and income.
Whānau strongly indicated their preference for the ongoing management of our Takutai Moana Application and the Waitangi Tribunal Claims and the Executive will be working hard to ensure we reflect those preferences.
Kahui Kaumatua
As a part of the General Portion of our hui, a number of whānau raised concerns regarding the perceived ongoing deteriorating relationship with the Trustees of the Waipapa Marae. The Executive Committee have committed to working with the Trustees in all aspects of our joint activities. To support this commitment, I have asked Lees Seymour and Kurutia Seymour to lead the relationship with the Trustees and look forward to building a productive relationship moving forward.
Whānau also indicated that they felt one of the areas that may have contributed to the relationship breakdown was the lack of a mechanism for Kaumatua to provide guidance to all parts of the Ngati Hikairo iwi. It was suggested that a Kahui Kaumatua be formed to provide advice, support and in some cases, direction based on matauranga and Hikairotanga. It was suggested that this Kahui sit outside of the Rūnanganui to support its independence.
This is a fundamentally important initiative that I whole heartedly support. I will work with Kaumatua to help establish an iwi wide Kahui, and the Rūnanganui have agreed to providing secretarial support for the Kahui Kaumatua once it is established.
Election of Officers
As is normal for our AGM, we elected both officers (Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary) and Executive Committee Members in this meeting. My congratulations to Duncan Robin, Treasurer and Kurutia Seymour, Secretary for their election to these officer roles, and to Lees Seymour, Pipi Barton, Tom Tai, Gareth Seymour, and Burt Cunningham for their election to the Executive Committee. I look forward to working with you over the next year.
We have two other members of the Executive, one appointed by Kaumatua and one appointed by Rangatahi. This is a separate process from the election of officers and the existing representatives will continue on the Executive. I look forward to working with Queenie Te Hae, our Kaumatua Representative, and Hamua Gilmore, our Rangatahi Representative over the next 12 months
I would like to express my personal thanks to the whānau for my re-election as chair. I am humbled by your continued support of my efforts and commit to doing all that I can to better the circumstances of our people.
I think it is important to acknowledge that the AGM returned to Waipapa Marae for the first time in four years. I believe that our successful hui was in part because we had returned home, and the feelings that this return engendered permeated throughout the meeting. I would like to thank the Trustees for not only ensuring the Marae was ready and in fantastic condition, but also for allowing us the opportunity to stay an extra night when the whanau asked if they could remain at the Marae until Sunday.
Finally, and most importantly, I wish to thank the whānau that attended the AGM in person and on zoom, and their participation in the AGM. A special thank you also to Tiriana Anderson for providing the technology that enabled a wider participation for whānau who were unable to attend in person.
Te Rūnangaui o Ngāti Hikairo look forward to the next 12 months and progressing our Hikairo aspirations.
Nāku Noa
Susan Turner
Chair Te Runanganui o Ngati Hikairo
