Chairman’s Report

TE RŪNANGA O NGĀTI AWA

Chairman’s Report

The Board unanimously supported the Environment Court appeal opposing Creswell N.Z. Limited’s application to take and bottle water, and in doing so confirmed our ongoing responsibility as a post settlement entity representing the rights and interests of ” Ngāti Awa whānau and hapū.

Nau mai haere mai ki te rīpoata ā tau o Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa.

WELCOME TO THE 1 JULY 2018 - 30 JUNE 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Te Rauotehuia Chapman – de Vos, Representative Te Warahoe sadly passed away in May 2019. Te Rau was a long serving Representative of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Trustee and Chair of Ngāti Awa Research and Archives Trust, and a member of the Audit, Finance and Risk Committee. Te Rau was a dedicated Representative who spoke her mind, and consistently focussed on achieving the best outcomes for Ngāti Awa. Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa mourn Te Rau’s passing with her family and friends. Reflecting on the dedication of the Representatives over the past year, I can report that the Board met five times as a Board in the last financial year. In addition, Rūnanga Representatives have served on various Committees including Audit Finance and Risk, and Appointments and Remuneration and Ngāti Awa Community Development and Ngāti Awa Research and Archives Trusts.

Collectively these Committees and Trusts have met 18 times, and 10 Representatives have served on these Committees. Over the past year, the Rūnanga Board has faced some significant external issues: an Environment Court Appeal, cross Tiriti o Waitangi claims, and caring for the taiao. The Board has met these challenging issues head on and with resolution. These issues will have long reaching impacts on us as tangata whenua, as Ngāti Awa, and on our taiao. It is with these impacts in mind that the Board has acted to protect our identity, language and culture and status as kaitiaki and tangata whenua.

The Board unanimously supported the Environment Court appeal opposing Creswell N.Z. Limited’s application to take and bottle water, and in doing so confirmed our ongoing responsibility as a post settlement entity representing the rights and interests of Ngāti Awa whānau and hapū.

My thanks to the Deputy Chair, Tuwhakairiora O’Brien for his leadership and commitment to the Rūnanga, and the Representatives who have attended iwi events, and meetings to represent our collective interests.

Some Representatives will be leaving the Rūnanga in 2020, and new Representatives will be joining us after the 2019 Annual General Meeting. I welcome the new Representatives, and farewell the outgoing Representatives who have carried out their duties with dedication and care.

In closing I want to thank the Ngāti Awa Group Holdings Ltd Directors, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Trustees and Committee members for your ongoing commitment and dedication.

Mā te Atua tātau e manaaki e tiaki i ngā wā katoa. Naaku noa,

Dr Hohepa Mason

CHAIRMAN, TE RŪNANGA O NGĀTI AWA