Ka rere nga mihi ki tehunga o Wakatu.
Tena koutou i nga tiniahuatanga o te wa.
WAI56 Update
A strategy to fast-track settlement of claims across Te Tau Ihu has been accepted in principle by constituent Iwi claimants of the Tainui Taranaki ki te Tonga Large Natural Group (LNG).
The LNG has been endorsed to take the strategy forward which will involve working with other claimants with interests across the district. There is a possibility of a district-wide settlement within the next few months which would short-cut the usual 2-4 year process.
But, the concept requires all 8 Iwi and other claimants to address the cultural issues prior to dealing with commercial redress.
The possibility of settling South Island claims bodes well for the Crown as they move into elections later this year. Fast-tracking could also have some obvious benefits for Iwi claimants. But at what cost?
The Crown has yet to respond to the issues pertaining to WAI56 and they are aware that there are matters of significance that need to be resolved – in particular, issues related to water rights and Crown management of Nelson tenths assets.
Our position going forward is to wait for the third and final Waitangi Tribunal Report on Te Tau Ihu claims before engaging in settlement of WAI56 claims.
Owners’ Liaison Role
In February we welcomed Lynne Stafford into the role of Owners’ Liaison.
The role was created to locate the owners of over $1 million in unclaimed dividends - the Incorporation is keen to get those dividends back into the hands of the rightful owners.
Lynne works from home in the Maniapoto rohe, and is currently focusing her energy on reaching those whanau members who make up the 'top ten’ shareholders with the largest unclaimed dividends.
Empty nest prompts a new direction
Horticulture Chief Executive, Richard Brown, saw the last of his children off to university this year, which prompted him and his wife Jane to reassess their own lives. Richard has been part of the horticulture landscape in the Tasman district - and part of the Wakatu whanau - for 18 years.
For the past 3 years he has held the position of Chief Executive of Ngatahi Horticulture, the Wakatu and Ngati Rarua Atiawa Iwi Trust joint venture horticultural partnership.
“The changing home environment has meant Jane and I have reviewed our own situation, and a big part of this has been where to from here career-wise for me. After much deliberation, we decided it is time to move on to seek other challenges and opportunities.”
On behalf of Wakatu and the wider whanau, we extend a big thank you to Richard for his commitment and contribution to Wakatu. We wish Richard and Jane well with their future endeavours.
Spirit of Adventure and Kotiro Wananga applications
Many thanks to all who applied and their whanau for their support. We are very pleased with the response and will be sending letters to applicants and announcing the successful people in June.
Do you or your whanau want to develop skills in the cultural tourism sector?
The Incorporation is working with other entities to up-skill or retrain whanau who have a passion to work in the tourism industry.
The Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) has been working closely with Wakatu and Ngai Tahu Tourism to promote opportunities in Maori cultural tourism in the Nelson region.
The Manaaki Tapoi programme provides hands-on work experience over the summer in guiding and kayaking in the Abel Tasman. The remainder of the programme takes place within the NMIT tourism and hospitality school, Nelson.
In 2008, NMIT is offering 10 places on their Manaaki Tapoi programme. While the programme is open to all Maori, our aspiration is to ensure that there are people working within the industry with a passion and competence to tell our history and our stories.
If this sounds like something a member of your whanau would be interested in, please encourage them to contact NMIT for further information.
Angela Scott
Freephone: 0800 422 733 ext 749
Email: Angela.Scott@nmit.ac.nzz
Mark Bruce-Miller
Freephone: 0800 422 733 ext 701
Cell - 021 903808
Kayaking Abel Tasman
The 50/50 joint venture with Ngai Tahu tourism is underway, with our first season “under the belt”. The merger of our kayaking concessions created our new brand, Kayaking Abel Tasman.
The joint venture provides work experience for Manaaki Tapoi cadets, and once they’ve completed the programme we hope to attract them back into the industry.
Jared Haruru and Jacinda Mitchell gained kayak work experience over the summer, with both enrolled in a sea kayaking programme at NMIT.
Snippets
Wakatu House
We finally have a new home! The staff, filing cabinets and files have all moved in. Wakatu House is located in Montgomery Square, Nelson. Late February, Archdeacon Andy Joseph blessed the building at a dawn ceremony. The official opening will be celebrated when the carved poupou is installed, which is intended to coincide with Matariki.
Tahuri Whenua
In February, Wakatu and Ngatahi Horticulture hosted Tahuri Whenua – The National Maori Growers Collective. KONO is a member of the collective, and the group stayed at our backpackers, The Barn, in Marahau. Tahuri Whenua viewed our various production systems and visited our Whenua Matua Vineyard.
It was a great opportunity to share our experience with like-minded Maori from throughout the country. We were presented with a copy of a Nick Roskruge’s thesis (Chairman of Tahuri Whenua), called ‘Hokia ki te Whenua’ which included Wakatu as one of its case studies on Maori land utility.
New Associate Director
Jeremy Banks has been appointed Wakatu's 2008/09 Associate Director, and is the first on our revamped two year programme. He will spend the first year on one of the Sector Boards and the second on the Wakatu Board. Jeremy has his own software company in Wellington, and is a family man of Ngati Rarua descent.
Staff Wananga
This year’s cultural wananga will take place at Te Awhina Marae in April. Over 25 staff from our various companies will attend the two day wananga.
For some this will be a big learning curve, and will be their first time on a marae and exposure to anything Maori. Wakatu places emphasis on cultural training, and ensures people who work for Wakatu know and understand us - as a people, and also as an Incorporation.
Havelock Mussel Festival
Tohu Wines and KONO Seafood’s joint stand was voted the best commercial stand at Havelock’s mussel festival, to the delight of festival goers. The annual family event attracted a large turnout of locals and visitors.
KONO seafood takes centre stage
Sam Hobson and John Grant recently attended the Boston Seafood Show and Japan’s FoodEx Show. Our stories were told and products sampled, and they established some quality prospects in Canada, France, Russia, Mexico, USA, Korea and Japan.
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