18 May 2012

“Kia whiti te raa ki tua o Taawauwau”

Waikato Tainui Calls On Talleys To Recognise Human Toll

The Chair of Waikato-Tainui’s executive board, Tom Roa has called on the Talley’s family and AFFCO management to recognise the increasing potential of the lock-out for devastating impacts on the social fabric of the wider Ngaaruawaahia community.

“We have seen that the Talleys family recognise and accept the responsibilities they have within their local community, in Motueka. What I’m asking of Talleys and AFFCO is that they recognise their responsibilities in our communities too,” said Tom Roa.

“Our local communities and our whaanau have been the backs upon which a successful business has been developed. We are simply asking Talleys to be mindful of the human toll on our communities.

“This tribe recognises that AFFCO and Talleys have a right to run a successful and efficient business. The concern we have is that there seems to be little recognition of the Maaori blood, sweat and tears that have contributed to that successful business, not just here in the Waikato, but in Northland, Gisborne and elsewhere.

“We also have an appreciation that the union has a role to play in safeguarding the rights and interests of its membership and workers in general.”

Iwi leaders met earlier this week to discuss finding a way forward.

“There is a consensus among us that the primary role of Iwi is to protect and advance the interests of tribal membership. The reality is a majority of these locked-out workers are Maaori, and a great proportion of them are Waikato-Tainui.

“Our people are hurting. Not just those workers who have been locked out. The indirect social costs are being felt by wider whaanau, community groupings and businesses throughout the region.

Noting a recent suggestion that it is time for Maaori to invest in their own processing factories, Mr Roa thought that it was probably not something that would be of significant benefit to Waikato-Tainui tribal members.

“The Raupatu destroyed our economic land base and the agricultural expertise evidenced in the mid to late 1800s. As a consequence, we are no longer primarily a farming Iwi.

“While the overarching aim of Iwi is about achieving self-determination, it has to be remembered that self-determination is a process, not an outcome. And the current stalemate is highlighting that Maaori remain marginalised in these processes.

“Talleys is a major stakeholder in our community. We would welcome the opportunity to work with them to promote their interests, while safeguarding employee rights and outcomes of benefit to our Iwi and local communities,” said Mr Roa.

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Notes

Waikato Tainui comprises 33 hapuu, 68 marae and 61,000 tribal members. In 1863 colonial forces crossed the Mangataawhiri River and invaded the Waikato. More than 1.2 million acres was confiscated and the people of Waikato were forced into an exile that lasted 20 years.

In 1995 the first Waikato-Tainui settlement over lands was signed with the Crown. In 2008 the Waikato River Deed of Settlement was signed, with enhanced co-management arrangements finalised in 2009. The completion of the Waikato River Claim will see the tribe having a co-governance role over New Zealand’s largest river. Negotiations over the tribe’s remaining outstanding claims including West Coast harbours are expected to commence over the next year.

In 2010 Waikato-Tainui reported a net profit of $18.6 million and revenue growth of 11.5 per cent. Total assets were $644 million. Grants totalling $4.4 million were paid to 1766 individuals and groups.

ENDS

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