August-September 2008 Newsletter

Kia hiwa ra- August-September 2008

Chief Executive

The last few months have been very pleasing for the Trust as we have assisted Iwi to pass some very important milestones in their settlement journey. 
It has been especially pleasing to note Sir Graham Latimer’s recognition from both the Crown and Maori. Just recently a large number of Central North Island Iwi gathered in Rotorua at the invitation of Te Pumautanga O Te Arawa to honour Sir Graham and his contribution to the process.

Central North Island (CNI) Update

Submissions to the Maori Affairs Select Committee on the CNI Forest Land Collective Settlement Bill (and the Te Arawa Iwi and Hapu Claims Settlement Bill) closed on 1 August 2008 and hearings were held on 6 and 7 August in Taupo and Rotorua. The two Bills are expected to be passed in September 2008. 
The CNI Iwi Collective is continuing negotiations with the Crown on a number of issues and has sought further funding from the Trust to support these activities.
Ngati Rangitihi (who did not agree to the CNI Collective forest settlement prior to the Deed being signed) are planning a further endorsement process. The Crown has offered to provide independent facilitators. This process is likely to be completed at the end of September 2008.
Ngai Tuhoe signed Terms of Negotiation for comprehensive settlement negotiations on 31 July 2008 and are now seeking funding support from the Trust to negotiate an Agreement in Principle.
Ngati Manawa has signed their Agreement in Principle.

Ngati Whare are preparing to complete comprehensive negotiations with the Crown.
Ngati Raukawa is continuing its comprehensive negotiations with the Crown (starting with the river negotiations).
Ngati Tuwharetoa is understood to be working through mandate issues prior to engaging with the Crown on comprehensive negotiations. 
Trust staff have been informed by Ngati Whakaue that the Crown, in order to expedite matters, are in the process of drafting a letter confirming Ngati Whakaue has priority status. 
Ngati Makino and Waitaha are continuing negotiations with the Crown, however, the previously ambitious timeframe has been extended. The Office of Treaty Settlements has informed the Trust that the likelihood of reaching Agreement in Principle for both these groups is September 2008 with Deed of Settlement now not likely until June 2009.  

Funding Implications following CNI Forest Settlement

Management have been discussing with the Crown the impact of the CNI forest settlement on the ability of the Trust to fund Iwi after the CNI forests are transferred to the CNI Holding Company.
For Iwi with interests only in CNI forests, the Trust will have jurisdiction to fund negotiations until 1 July 2009 (the settlement date proposed in the CNI Forests Land Settlement Bill) but will not be able to fund those groups after that date. 
As previously advised, this potentially affects: Ngati Manawa; Ngati Whare; Ngati Whakaue; Ngati Rangitihi; and Ngati Rangiwewehi. While those groups outside of the CNI Collective will still have unresolved claims, the forest land they have claims to will have transferred to the CNI Holding Company and will cease to be Crown forest licensed land after 1 July 2009.

Congratulations

Tapuika and Ngati Rangiwewehi joined Te Kawerau A Maki in signing Terms of Negotiation with the Crown.
Progress has also been made with Ngati Apa who has initialled their Deed of Settlement and are about to embark on their ratification process.
Turanganui Iwi have also signed their Agreement in Principle with the Crown.
Combined with the level of activity in the Central North Island it has been a very busy couple of months for the staff who continue to work tirelessly to assist their claimant groups.

Report to Appointors Roadshow

The Report to Appointors roadshow will not be going ahead as planned.  Claimants will receive their copies of the Report to Appointors via mail. Claimants can still meet with Trustees if they deem the meetings to be necessary. These meetings will be held on a regional basis rather than a one on one situation.

Awards

Dean and Kristin Nikora have been awarded the Ahuwhenua Trophy recognising Maori excellence in farming.  It’s the top prize in the annual Maori farming awards. Along with bragging rights for a year the couple have also picked up $40,000 worth of cash and prizes.  They are the owners of Mangatewai and milk a thousand cows a day.  

Claimant Survey

The Trust is grateful to all those claimant groups and individuals who carried out the 2008 claimant survey.  Many issues were canvassed which has provided the Trust with a valuable source of information to further refine its current processes. Furthermore we acknowledge the significant support from many of the engaged groups who undertook the survey.