Your Monthly Update 

UCT Transition

As part of the transition from Uenuku Charitable Trust (UCT) to Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Trust (Te Korowai), the management team have commenced a complete stocktake of UCT’s activities, roles, responsibilities and representation, including the two subsidiary pou entities Te Mano o Te Whenua Tupua and Te Ara Tupua. This stocktake will enable Te Korowai Trustees to evaluate the activities and what needs to be transitioned to the new Te Korowai Trust.

PSGE Establishment 

While your management team continues to transition UCT activities over, the new Te Korowai Trust has received on-account funds totalling $10.9 million and is now invested with Westpac. 

On August 29, Te Korowai Trust established a new Finance Committee that consists of Sheryl Connell, Paora Haitana, Aiden Gilbert, Tina Wallace and Lou Brider. Te Korowai Trust has also engaged the accounting services of Belton Smith & Associates and as mandated by the Trust Deed, have sought quotes from two accounting firms, Grant Thornton Accounting and Ernst & Young, to provide advice on Trustee remuneration for the legislative phase. 

Settlement Implementation

Your Te Korowai management team continues to meet with Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) on a monthly basis to progress the property remediation work on properties identified in the Deed Of Settlement Side Letter. 

The Side Letter consists of a work plan developed between us and the Crown to address issues with properties managed by LINZ that are being prepared for transfer on the settlement date. The work plan also includes properties listed for post-settlement transfer as deferred selection properties (DSPs), and/or with rights of first refusal (RFRs).

Legislative Phase

As you are aware, our Bill was introduced to Parliament (the House of Representatives), triggering its first ‘reading’ in the House, when all Members of Parliament first consider our settlement Bill, this reading is expected to happen in December, sometime after the general elections. You can read the Cabinet Paper here.  

National Park Negotiations 

Last month, we attended a Tongariro National Park collective negotiations hui between the Crown and other iwi and hapu with interests in the Park. Committed to commencing collective settlement negotiations, we reconfirmed our interest in the Tongariro National Park settlement negotiations and said we were ready to commence.

Minister Andrew Little was present at the negotiations and said that although the intentions of the hui were to progress National Park Settlement Negotiations, there was another subject of conversation – commercial activity on the maunga.

At the hui, Minister Willow-Jean Prime addressed nga iwi on the ski field concession and listened to the whakaaro of the iwi who shared their views. She said that she was committed to reviewing the current framework based on the whakaaro of the iwi present. 

According to the Tongariro National Park Plan, which has to be followed by Conservation Minister Willow-Jean Prime in making any decision, tāngata whenua must be consulted, however, consultation with iwi has been minimal Gilbert said. 

“It’s become obvious that even calling us and meeting with us is a consultation to them. What we’ve always stood by is we require meaningful consultation and not just as a tick box.”

Whānau Activities

Last week, Uenuku, Tamahaki and Tamakana kaumātua placed third in the Taipāhake Kaumātua Olympics.

The event was held at Springvale Stadium in Whanganui to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the Kaumātua Olympics are an opportunity for those aged 60+ to come together for fun movement, games, healthy kai, entertainment and whānaungatanga.

It was the third year that our kaumātua have attended the event, this year we put forward two teams, organised by Kaylene Crossan.

Mrs. Crossan said that it was special this year to attend the games officially representing Te Korowai o Wainuiārua.

“We had some new kaumātua among us who had never been before. This year was very organised and we had a fabulous time. Lunch was provided and we were able to connect with people we hadn’t seen for a long time” she said.

“Coming third across 8 games was a big achievement for us. There were 20 in our team, but only two males came along. I think most men didn’t come because they thought it boring, but it wasn’t. Baldy came along, he thoroughly enjoyed it and came home raving about how much fun they had. I hope more of our men will step up next year and compete alongside the women.”

Mrs Crossan said the highlight was participating and realising that age is no barrier to having fun.

A special thank you to Ruapehu REAP Adult & Community Coordinator, Stephanie Waerea, for supporting Te Korowai o Wainuiārua on the day.

The Kaumātua Olympics are hosted by Ngā Tai o te Awa with support from Te Manu Atatū, Te Whatu Ora Whanganui, Mōkai Pātea Services, the Whanganui Regional Health Network, Sport Whanganui and Te Oranganui.

Partnerships and Projects

We are delighted to announce that this morning we attended the commencement of construction/Karakia for the much-anticipated Mountains to Sea – Ngā Ara Tūhono cycle trail through our rohe.

The trail is a unique partnership we have been part of since inception and will create training and development opportunities for local rangatahi to become trail builders, ensuring the maintenance and development of the trail remains in the hands of skilled kaitiaki for decades to come. Additionally, the connection through Pōkākā eco-sanctuary will give cyclists the opportunity to hear the call of kākā, kererū, and many other native birds, while also promoting sustainable tourism.

Our Trust Chair, Aiden Gilbert led the karakia and said he was thrilled to partner with Ruapehu District Council to bring a cycleway through our ecosanctuary.

““Pōkākā will be the site of our cultural and ecotourism attraction, the first predator-proof, iwi-led ecosanctuary in New Zealand, incorporating a visitor centre and café and offering wildlife tours and guided cultural walks. It will also be a centre of excellence for mātauranga Māori inspired education. As an adjunct to Pōkākā, a nursery will be established to provide native plantings for the ecosanctuary and surrounding lands in the wider area,” he said. 

We will continue to keep you up to date with monthly e-pānui, which will also be posted on our website and Facebook. 

If you have not received this update via email, or have any other enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at (06) 385-4900 or at enquiries@uenuku.iwi.nz