While your negotiation team continues to finalise outstanding Deed of Settlement matters with the Crown, they are also making good progress toward the establishment of the new Post-Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) Trust, named Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Trust (TKWT).
On May 29, Uenuku Charitable Trust concluded a ratification process with uri overwhelmingly voting in support of the proposed Deed of Settlement and the proposed PSGE TKWT.
Since then, TKWT was formally established on 1 July.
On 5 July, Minister Jackson and Minister Little agreed the ratification results showed significant support for the Settlement and that the Deed of Settlement should be signed.
Minister Little acknowledged the hard work and long hours undertaken by Uenuku Charitable Trust to make information about the settlement available to as many uri as possible and enable them to cast an informed vote.
“I commend the commitment of the negotiators and the Trust in reaching this significant milestone and I look forward to signing the deed on behalf of the Crown,” he said.
The first meeting of the TKWT Board of Trustees took place on 15 July at which a range of resolutions were moved, including the appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair to the new Trust and the appointment of an establishment team consisting of Chris McKenzie, Steve Hirini and Deborah Edmunds, to carry out various administrative and management work as delegated to it by the TKWT Trustees including selecting a bank and seeking investment and tax advice.
Those Trustees present elected Aiden Gilbert as the Chairperson and Nuthaniel Tonihi as Deputy Chairperson. The management team and interim Trustees will be in place until the first election which will take place in 18 months.
Other resolutions included the authorisation of the Chairperson and two other trustees to sign the Deed of Settlement on behalf of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua.
Alongside the Deed of Settlement, there will be a Side Letter added to the signing, which outlines a commitment by the Crown to undertake remedial work on several properties managed by Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) that will transfer to Te Korowai o Wainuiārua on the settlement date.
The Trustees authorised Aiden Gilbert to sign the Side Letter.
A working party has also been established to prepare for the signing ceremony on Saturday, 29 July.
Project Manager Steve Hirini said the signing ceremony arragementments are being well-led by the working party lead Mahanga Williams and his team, all adding to this momentous occasion.
Chairman Aiden Gilbert pressed the significance of this milestone on the pathway to settling historical grievances with the Crown, a day fought for by many Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Tūpuna.
“The importance and significance of the 29 July cannot be judged by one day, but by a journey accumulated by the many who sort justice on behalf of tātou kātoa,” he said.
If you haven’t already sent an RSVP, please do so to enquiries@uenuku.iwi.nz
Vanessa Pehi