9 February 2016

Closure of Governance Review Ushers in a New Way And a New Name

A three-year review of the governance and representation structure of Waikato-Tainui has been brought to a close with the announcement of a new name for its representation body.

Kiingi Tuheitia announced the name at a hui aa iwi at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia at the weekend where tribal members also heard the final report of the review team, led by co-Chair Nanaia Mahuta.

The name is to be TE WHAKAKITENGA O WAIKATO INCORPORATED – ‘the foresight of Waikato’.

The new title will replace the current name - Waikato-Tainui Te Kauhanganui Incorporated - which was bestowed in 1999 by Ngaati Hauaa. It will be returned to Ngaati Hauaa at a ceremony to be held later this year and adopted following the appropriate formalities.

In his address to the hui Kiingi Tuheitia recalled the words of his tuupuna, Kiingi Taawhiao:

“Mehemea kare kau ana he whakakitenga, ka mate te iwi. Where there is no vision, the people will perish,” said Kiingi Tuheitia.

“Te Whakakitenga reminds us that our decision-making must be based in the future. It is a constant reminder that when we counsel for the welfare of our people, we must think about future generations and not us today, and especially not us as individuals.

“You must clear your minds so that you can reach a higher level of consciousness so that those of you who do can make well-informed decisions for our people,” he said.

The King’s speech included messages of loyalty, unity and hope for the future.

“Today, you must usher in a new way, a better way, a more effective and efficient way of doing our business and discharging our duties to our people and to the generations to come,” Kiingi Tuheitia said.

“If we stand alone here in New Zealand, let’s stand tall and together as the Kiingitanga, held up and supported by the tribe and the Waka of Tainui. As individual iwi, you stand alone, but as the Kiingitanga and the Waka, you stand strong, much stronger than you are by yourselves.

“Let’s do what we are responsible to do today.”

Nanaia Mahuta said the hui marked the start of a new way forward for Waikato-Tainui.

“The review has achieved most of what the people wanted – clarity of roles and responsibilities, tikanga reflected in both the structure and our processes, a way to deal with our own issues in-house and within tikanga, more efficiency, and a focus on growing capability and skills,” said Ms Mahuta.

“As a result, our governance groups and management entities are better positioned to perform their duties and achieve even bigger and better gains for our iwi. We must support our people to be prosperous – and an effective, efficient, unencumbered and focused governance structure will allow us to do that.”

The hui presentation and information materials will be available to view at www.waikatotainui.com/governance-review.

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