Great news whanau, on the 20th June 2016 the Hon Christopher Finlayson and Hon Te Ururoa Flavell recognised the mandate of Uenuku Charitable Trust to represent the uri of Tamakana, Tamahaki and Uenuku (claimant community) in negotiations for the comprehensive settlement of all outstanding historical Treaty of Waitangi claims of the central Whanganui region.
The Ministers considered UCT has the support of the claimant community and has processes and systems in place to ensure it is appropriately accountable.
‘The recognition follows last year’s majority support from whanau’ said Aiden Gilbert, UCT Chairman. ‘Thank you whanau for your vote of confidence, it’s been a long time coming and it’s great we can move into negotiations for our people’ said Aiden.
UCT is now preparing for the negotiations phase and engaging with its claimant community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Steve Hirini, Project Manager on (021) 651958 or steven@uenuku.iwi.nz
Caroline