Hon Te Ururoa Flavell
Te Minita Whanaketanga Māori
Minister for Māori Development

4 August 2017
Media Statement

Vesting agreement signed for the New Zealand Māori Arts and Craft Institute

Māori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell along with the Whakarewarewa Joint Trust have signed a vesting agreement that will ultimately transfer ownership of the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute from the Crown, to Iwi.

Mr Flavell says it’s an important step to strengthen the Crown’s relationship with Wāhiao Tūhourangi and Ngāti Whakaue in this historical establishment.

“This is a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the Crown and Wāhiao Tūhourangi and Ngāti Whakaue.

“The iwi have been instrumental in the operation and success of Te Puia and the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, supporting the retention and development of ahurea and toi Māori, as well as providing training in whakairo and raranga,” Mr Flavell says.

The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute is the only institute of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand.

It is going through an exciting period of growth, and recently began $22 million of developments which are currently under way.

Mr Flavell says the vesting agreement also ensures the pan-iwi cultural functions provided by the Māori Arts and Craft Institute in training the next generation of carvers, weavers and sculptors will continue.

“The Māori Arts and Crafts Institute has a reputation for providing some of Māoridom’s best Master Carvers, Weavers and Sculptors.

“The Vesting Agreement helps to ensure the protection of this legacy for future generations,” Mr Flavell says.

The signing of the agreement commits the Crown to introducing legislation to vest the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in the Te Puia NZMACI Limited Partnership.

The beneficiaries of the Partnership are Wāhiao Tūhourangi o Whakarewarewa, three hapū of Ngāti Whakaue (Ngāti Hurungaterangi, Ngāti Taeotū and Ngāti Te Kahu o Ngāti Whakue Hapū) as well as the beneficiaries of the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust.

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