2024 Hui-Ā-Tau
MINUTES
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board
Great Lake Centre, 5 Story Place, Taupō, 23 November 2024, 10:00 AM
WELCOME & KARAKIA
Opening karakia: Tyson Taikato
Mihi: Ngahere Wall
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Members Present
John Bishara (Chairman), Danny Loughlin, Judy Harris, Hon Dame Georgina te Heuheu (Deputy Chair)
Ngahere Wall, Maria Nepia, Heemi Biddle, Rongomai te Heuheu, Channey Iwikau, with Rakei Taiaroa (CEO).
Present
Recorded on the Attendance Register.
Opening
John Bishara (Chairman) acknowledged those in attendance with a mihimihi. The first responsibility of the Chair was to introduce the Board Members that were in attendance.
NGĀ MEMA POARI
Board members introduced themselves.
APOLOGIES
Board Members: Sarah Asher
Beneficiaries:
Noted today at the registration desk or have been submitted prior to the hui by phone and email to our offices.
RESOLVED:
That the apologies for the Hui-ā- Tau of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board held 23 November 2024 be received.
Moved Tyson Taikato
Seconded Greg Stebbing CARRIED
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS HUI-Ā-TAU
The minutes (distributed with the Annual Report 2024) of the previous Hui-ā-Tau of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board held 2 December 2023 were taken as read.
The Chairman advised that any matters arising from the minutes would be addressed in General Business.
RESOLVED:
That the minutes of the previous Hui-ā-Tau held on 2 December 2023 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.
Moved: Irirangi Timu
Seconded: John Bishara CARRIED
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Introduction
This year’s report reflects both the challenges and the opportunities facing the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board. Despite the pressures of changing governments and political climates, the Board remains steadfast in its mission: to protect and enhance our taonga and whenua for the benefit of our people, as it has done for nearly 100 years.
Legacy and Purpose
The Trust Board’s foundations lie in the taonga of Lake Taupō and the surrounding whenua. These lands connect directly to the whakapapa of our people and guide our direction. Governments may come and go, but our responsibilities as kaitiaki remain unchanged. The upcoming centenary will be an opportunity to reflect on this enduring purpose.
Accountability and Transparency
Historically, the Trust Board did not hold AGMs. However, under the guidance of leaders such as Tūmanako Werata, we adopted transparency and accountability as guiding principles. AGMs, annual reports, and direct engagement with our people are now core to how we operate. These processes ensure we remain answerable to our people, not only to the Crown.
Protecting Rights and Interests
Since 2008, the Board has focused on affirming and protecting rights in our taonga, particularly our waters.
Key milestones include:
• Negotiating the easement agreement with Mercury Energy, enabling commercial use of the lake to contribute directly to our people.
• Securing declaratory judgments to confirm the Board’s authority to charge all commercial operators on the lake.
These achievements shifted the Board beyond reliance on fishing licence revenue and ensured a sustainable future. While opposition was strong at times, the Board held its ground to protect what legally belongs to us.
Current Challenges and Opportunities
Today’s government reforms create uncertainty, but also opportunities to push back and reaffirm our position. Recent actions by the Tauhara whānau in asserting rights before the Prime Minister highlight the strength of kotahitanga. We must continue to advocate strongly, ensuring that future outcomes leave us with more, not less.
Collaboration and Kotahitanga
The Trust Board values its strong partnerships with Tūwharetoa entities, including the Settlement Trust and Tūwharetoa Fisheries. Together, we manage over $750,000 in grants, ensuring efficient delivery of benefits to our people. Recent efforts, such as the Roundtable initiative, reaffirm unity across our farming, forestry, settlement, and governance entities. Kotahitanga strengthens our collective ability to serve whānau.
Balancing Economics and Values
While economic growth and independence are essential, they are not the sole focus. All commercial decisions are balanced with our responsibilities to the environment, our people, and our values. The Board is committed to ensuring that prosperity does not come at the expense of taiao, tangata, or taonga.
Conclusion
It is a privilege to serve on the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board. Our role is to safeguard the legacy handed down by our tūpuna and to prepare for the future. I ask for the continued support of our people to meet the challenges ahead, uphold our rights, and ensure the wellbeing of our taonga, whenua, and whānau.
RESOLVED:
That the Chairman’s Report be received.
Moved: Janice Wall
Seconded: Maria Wall CARRIED
Tuihana Wall: raised concerns about the housing crisis and questioned current priorities and reliance on government partnerships. She spoke about the impact on families and asked how communities can create spaces that truly work for them.
The Chair acknowledged these concerns and said the Board does not support many government policies but must respond strategically. He noted that the Trust continues to advocate strongly through submissions, select committees, and direct discussions with Ministers. The focus remains on standing firm, acting responsibly, and protecting the rights and wellbeing of Tūwharetoa whānau.
ANNUAL REPORT
The CEO Rakeipoho Taiaroa presented the Annual Report.
Annual Report - Video presentation was delivered.
The CEO noted that his earlier report provided a clear overview of the Board’s work during the year.
The CEO acknowledged and thanked staff and managers for their hard work and dedication, noting that the year had been highly productive, albeit with associated challenges.
The CEO then called for a mover and seconder for the adoption of the Annual Report.
RESOLVED:
That the Annual Report for 2024 be received.
Moved: Janice Wall
Seconded: Browny Kapua CARRIED
FINANCIAL REPORT
The Financial Report was presented by Danny Loughlin.
Acknowledgements
Danny Loughlin opened his report by acknowledging the contribution of Olivia and Angela in preparing the annual video, noting their strong presentation of the financial position.
Independent Audit
• The accounts were independently audited by Silks Chartered Accountants.
• The audit resulted in an unmodified audit opinion, giving a clean bill of health.
• The auditors included an emphasis of matter relating to the Tūwharetoa Gondola Limited Partnership (Ruapehu), due to uncertainty with Crown decisions affecting the valuation of bonds lent for construction.
Taupō Waters Group Entities
1. The Taupō Waters Group is made up of five key entities:
2. Taupō Waters Trust – guardian of Lake Taupō, Waikato River (Puau to Rock of Tia), and tributaries.
3. Hole-in-One – popular lakefront attraction.
4. Parasail – first full year of operation.
5. TMGH Chris Jolly LP (Boats) – 51% acquired in 2019, now recovering well post-COVID and profitable.
6. Taupō Moana Group Holdings – oversees governance and directors across investments.
Group Performance
• Revenue included $2.7 million from Mercury for water storage and $1.4 million from commercial operators.
• Expenses of $7.2 million related mainly to operations of Hole-in-One, Parasail, and Chris Jolly Boats.
• Net surplus for the year was $1.5 million.
• The lakebed asset value increased by $11 million.
• Equity rose from $32 million to $42 million by yearend.
Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board Group Results
When consolidated with the Trust Board and associated entities:
• Total revenue reached $20.7 million.
• Key contributions included:
• $1.5 million Crown annuity for use of the lake.
• $1 million annual Waikato River settlement annuity.
• $1.6 million from Mercury and Genesis funds for grants.
• Distributions:
• $835,000 in marae capital works.
• $4 million in kaumātua and education grants to whānau.
• Overall equity increased from $90 million to $106.9 million, a 19% growth.
Future Outlook
A budgeted surplus of $4.7 million is projected for the 2024/25 financial year after grants and distributions.
RESOLVED:
1. Receive the Financial Report.
2. Receive the Summarised Financial Statements of the Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board for the year ended 30 June 2024.
3. Receive the Summarised Financial Statements of the Taupō Waters Trust for the year ended 30 June 2024.
4. Note the budget for the next accounting year (1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025).
5. Approve the appointment of Silks Audit as auditors for 2024-2025.
Moved: Greg Stebbing
Seconded: Aroha French CARRIED
WHAKAWHITI KORERO/ GENERAL BUSINESS
Patai 1: Patricia Otimi
Jobs for Nature
Sought clarification on the number of jobs created under Jobs for Nature.
Response (Chair and CEO): Confirmed 10 participants. Funding has since ceased due to government withdrawal. The more relevant measure is how many participants remain in employment as a result of the programme.
Governance vs Project Spend
Raised concern about the ratio of governance spend compared with project spend in the annual budget, questioning why project investment was not higher given reported profits.
Response (CEO): Agreed further detail would be required to address the governance-to-project spend ratio and committed to follow up with more information.
Commercial Licensing and Environmental Integrity
Asked how the Board monitors the cultural and environmental integrity of commercial operators on the lake.
Response (CEO): Emphasised that alongside revenue collection, tikanga and environmental standards are strictly enforced. Examples included stopping grey water discharge from boats (including Trust-owned vessels), ensuring all operators hold licences, and enforcing rules around activities such as clay bird shooting and the scattering of ashes. The Board has increased its focus on these matters to ensure cultural and environmental values are upheld.
Relationships with Crown Agencies and Health Services:
Asked whether the Board is engaging with local managers of ministerial departments, citing issues with alcohol and drug rehabilitation services. Currently, kaupapa Māori services are not accessible because DHB contracts sit with mainstream providers. Suggested that marae and hapū should be empowered to host rehabilitation programmes, rather than requiring DOC approval.
Cultural Integrity on Commercial Operations:
Raised issues about non-Māori staff delivering whakapapa narratives to tourists on the Chris Jolly boats. Stressed the importance of ensuring whakapapa is shared authentically by Māori as kaitiaki of these taonga.
Education Support:
Highlighted difficulties accessing putea for school costs, such as uniforms, when support provided (clothing voucher) was not practical.
Response – Chair
Acknowledged the concerns raised and noted that many Tūwharetoa entities are contracted separately by the Crown to deliver services.
Explained that the Crown’s contestable funding system fragments iwi organisations, creating competition for limited resources and limiting effectiveness.
Stressed that this approach has not improved Māori outcomes across health, education, housing, justice, or employment, with statistics for Māori consistently worse than mainstream.
Emphasised the need for greater unity across Tūwharetoa entities when facing critical issues, to ensure stronger collective advocacy and outcomes for whānau.
Asked when the Trust Board will begin to reinvest more directly into hapū and reduce reliance on Crown relationships.
Called for the Board to actively support hapū who are already working collectively, even if their pathway differs from Crown accords.
Emphasised that hapū have solutions for themselves and are calling on the Board for support.
Raised environmental concerns, including the decline of inanga, polluted koura, wastewater impacts, and the risks to Lake Taupō and drinking water from Taupō District Council developments.
Questioned how economic development aligns with hapū prophecies that water must remain pure for future generations.
Response – Chair
Acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that the Trust Board has tools to support hapū, particularly through Joint Management Agreements (JMAs) established under the 2007 Deed and declaratory judgments.
Noted that these JMAs with Taupō District Council and Waikato Regional Council are powerful tools that allow direct engagement and accountability with councillors.
Admitted the Board has not always fully utilised these agreements but stressed the need to “muscle them up” and use them more actively in response to the types of issues raised.
Agreed with the point about backing hapū and affirmed the Board’s commitment to strengthening this support.
Commended the Ariki, Chair, CEO, and Trustees for their work and accountability on behalf of the iwi.
Recalled raising the issue of self-sustainability at a previous AGM, with a particular focus on food security and health.
Highlighted the health impacts of poor nutrition, water quality, and reliance on processed foods, linking these to high rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
Shared a personal journey of establishing better health practices within their own whānau since the pandemic.
Cited an example from Ngāti Kahungunu, where a whānau-led initiative using rongoā and micronutrient supplements improved kaumātua health and created financial sustainability through marae-based investment.
Proposed a similar model for Tūwharetoa, emphasising the potential to:
• Improve whānau health outcomes.
• Provide affordable access to supplements for kaumātua.
• Generate ongoing income streams for marae and hapū.
Question posed:
• Will the Board support this kaupapa? (Yes/No).
• How can a presentation be made to the Board by the member’s team (excluding immediate whānau for conflict of interest) before taking it to hapū?
Response – Chair
Thanked Chelsea for her compliments and acknowledgement.
Indicated willingness to speak with her directly about the kaupapa but did not commit to bringing it formally before the Board at this stage.
Noted that such initiatives should begin with hapū engagement and endorsement before being considered collectively.
Acknowledged her whanau contributions and encouraged her to continue her work.
Fishing Licences:
Suggested increasing the number of marae fishing licences from 10, noting that whānau also need to be enabled to feed their families, not only marae.
Funding Allocation:
Recommended that rangatahi be explicitly included in funding priorities alongside marae and kaumātua, as they must be empowered to make decisions for their future. Noted disparities in registered male/female membership (with women higher) and highlighted that of 16 staff, 14 are female, suggesting consideration of balance and wāhine needs.
Tourism and Cultural Competency:
Emphasised the need for Tūwharetoa to lead cultural storytelling in tourism, ensuring whakapapa and reo are taught and shared authentically by Tūwharetoa people.
Advocacy and the Hīkoi:
Shared her involvement in the recent Hīkoi supporting Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which drew widespread participation. Asked how the Board would support hapū and whānau in such movements, to ensure Te Tiriti rights and hapū rangatiratanga are upheld into the future.
Response – Chair
Confirmed support for increasing marae fishing licences, noting that the number has already been lifted to 20. Acknowledged Fiona’s points about rangatahi and staff balance as valid considerations.
On the Hīkoi, explained that the Board’s role is to support major kaupapa through practical assistance, such as coordinating buses or transport, as is traditionally done for significant events.
Clarified that while the Board does not fund general travel, it continues to back collective efforts that uphold iwi rights and support hapū engagement.
Commended Fiona’s passion and commitment to advocacy and acknowledged the energy she and others dedicate to kaupapa such as the Hīkoi.
6 – Janice Wall
Thanked the trustees for their work and acknowledged the support received through her daughter’s education grant. Expressed appreciation for the Poutaiao team and called for the revival of Tūwharetaiao, a rangatahi leadership programme originally started by the Trust Board.
Roundtable and Social Services:
Suggested that the new iwi-owned office building and roundtable collaboration could provide opportunities for Māori social services, such as Tūwharetoa Social Services, to lease space from the iwi rather than private landlords. Highlighted the challenges whānau face in accessing adequate mental health support.
Political Engagement:
Encouraged whānau to enrol on the Māori roll, noting that greater participation could increase Māori political representation. Shared her involvement in recent hīkoi and stressed the importance of rangatahi engagement for future change.
Rangatahi Development:
Reiterated the need to re-establish Tūwharetaiao as a pathway to empower rangatahi, and challenged trustees to lead initiatives that provide consistent opportunities for youth beyond short-term programmes.
Response – Chair Thanked Janice for her acknowledgements and contributions.
Addressed concerns about mental health services and police responses, noting that these issues stem from government directives and are not the Board’s fault.
Cautioned that while increasing Māori political representation is important, it does not guarantee change, as Māori leaders within government must still be accountable to their people and whakapapa.
Emphasised the importance of iwi continuing to hold themselves accountable and remaining visible in political and advocacy spaces.
Introduced herself as a new trustee for Poukura and Waihi Marae.
Thanked the Board for its support, noting that significant works had been completed at both marae:
• Poukura Marae: Restoration of the waterfront following damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, where 20 metres of land was lost.
• Waihi Marae: Major repairs underway, including the ablution block and replacement of the unsafe front deck.
She acknowledged that these projects could not have been achieved without Board assistance.
Expressed pride in fellow trustees and appreciation for the learning gained through the process.
Response – Chair
Thanked Tania for her remarks and acknowledgements.
Closing Remarks – Chair
Noted an apology for trustee Sarah Asher, who was supporting her daughter’s team in Te Arawa.
Thanked all members for their attendance and participation.
CLOSING
The hui was formally closed by Channey.
12:00 pm the Hui-ā-Tau closed with karakia.
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Website: www.tuwharetoa.co.nz