Combined Murihiku Rūnaka Hui last Saturday
On Saturday 9 April, Hokonui Rūnanga hosted the second combined Murihiku Rūnaka Hui for 2022. These hui are an opportunity for rūnaka members to come together to discuss issues, provide updates and provide feedback on topics relevant to Murihiku and Ngāi Tahu more generally.
Terry Nicholas (Hokonui Rūnanga Manager) addressing the Combined Murihiku Rūnaka Hui on Saturday.
Guest speakers on Saturday included Arihia Bennett (Chief Executive Officer of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu) and David Perenara-O’Connell, who gave an update on the establishment of the Māori Health Authority and Iwi-Māori Partnership Boards.
Cindy Robinson (Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu) then followed with an overview of the RMA reforms and the three replacement pieces of legislation. Her role is to bring Ngāi Tahu perspectives to the forefront of resource management planning, including endeavouring to have the Ngāi Tahu takiwā boundary recognized as the geographical boundary for all governance and decision-making bodies.
The Future for Local Government review was presented by Emma Forrest, a member of the Strategy and Influence team at Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The purpose of this review is to: Identify how the system of local democracy and governance needs to evolve over the next 30 years to improve the wellbeing of New Zealand communities and the environment, and actively embody the Treaty partnership. Emma will be seeking feedback from papatipu rūnanga over coming weeks.
Hui participants were then given an update on the Southland Just Transition Aquaculture Workstream by workstream lead Aimee Kaio. Aimee highlighted the potential scale of this new industry and the importance of Iwi leading in this space. The issue of infrastructure needs for the region more generally also arose from this korero.
Jacqui Caine, Tane Davis and Tā Tipene O’Regan then gave a presentation about Whenua Hou and the current limitations experienced by Ngāi Tahu around legal title, access, governance and management of the island. They are seeking mandate from papatipu rūnanga to continue to explore vesting of Whenua Hou as an option with the Department of Conservation.
Other agenda items covered on the day included a discussion about the tikanga and kawa of Murihiku Upoko; Tiwai remediation; Rūnanga updates; and an update from Jana Davis, CE of Te Tapu o Tāne.
Comprehensive minutes from the day will be available from your rūnaka office after Easter.
Posted: 14 April 2022