Iwi Hosts Meeting With Multiple Crown Agencies For New Strategy – Ngati Kahungunu ki Tamaki-nui-a-Rua

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Settlement Trust has met with senior officials from 12 Crown agencies to begin the development of a new strategy to transform social and economic outcomes for whānau.

Crown representatives travelled to Masterton to meet with the iwi on Wednesday 9 July, including from: Health NZ; the Ministries of Education, Social Development, Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), Justice, Housing and Urban Development; Oranga Tamariki; NZ Police; Department of Corrections; Te Puni Kōkiri; Social Investment Agency; and Ministry for Primary Industries.

Settlement Trust Chair, Paora Ammunson, said the inaugural hui was a formal discussion to begin to realise the opportunities of ‘He Kawenata Hōu’, a commitment included in the iwi’s Treaty settlement legislation.

“Our settlement was signed back in 2021 and included a new covenant – He Kawenata Hōu – as the platform for us to build a new Tiriti relationship between Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua and the Crown,” said Mr Ammunson.

“Having these senior government officials all come to us here in Masterton, signifies the unique and ongoing nature of He Kawenata Hōu.

“We are talking about a foundational strategy for the social and economic revitalisation of our iwi. Crucially, we must plan how to address the severe inequities that our whānau are facing.”

Mr Ammunson said that the development of the strategy was an important opportunity for the Crown and its responsible agencies to demonstrate their commitment to authentic Treaty Partnership.

“Our iwi is committed to making this mahi our priority focus, and as our Treaty partner, we expect the Crown to do the same.

“Discussions with these agencies so far have been positive and supportive of our hapū-led approach.”

Settlement Trust Group Chief Executive, Ray Hall, said yesterday’s inaugural meeting in Masterton was a significant step for all parties.

“We are encouraged by the shared willingness to explore practical initiatives that will start to make a real difference for whānau who are facing serious deprivation in our communities,” Mr Hall said.

“Our goal is to enable our whānau to thrive in their daily lives, across all areas of hauora including health, education, employment, income, housing and cultural connection.”

Mr Hall said that the overarching strategy is expected to be developed over the coming months and finalised later this year.

Notes:

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua are mana whenua iwi of the Wairarapa and Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua (Dannevirke) regions. Their rohe (tribal area) extends from Turakirae in the south, to the headwaters of the Manawatū Awa in the Ruahine Ranges in the North, to Poroporo at Cape Turnagain on the eastern coast.

Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Settlement Trust is the Post-Settlement Governance Entity (PSGE) responsible for receiving and administering settlement assets on behalf of the iwi. www.kkwtnr.org.nz