Our Te Tiriti o Waitangi Journey

Te Tiriti o Waitangi journey

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ma te whakaatu, ka mohio
Ma te mohio, ka marama
Ma te marama ka matau
Ma te matau, ka ora

With discussion come knowledge, with knowledge comes understanding, with understanding come wisdom. With wisdom comes wellbeing.

This resource outlines the Trust’s journey in living our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.  

Te Tiriti o Waitangi journey

1988

Te Iwi Māori Trustee Makuini McKerchar

Makuini was one of the Trust’s inaugural Trustees appointed in 1988 and completing her term in 1992.

1992

Te Iwi Māori Trustee Gwen Neave

Gwen was appointed to the Trust in 1992, completing her term in 2000.

1992 Gwen Neave

Gwen Neave, Te Iwi Māori Trustee

2000

Te Iwi Māori Trustee Wayne Harpur

Wayne was appointed to the Trust Board in 2000 and served on the Board until 2012. He then returned to the Trust in 2001 as Trust Chair and completed his term in 2004.

2000 Wayne Harpur

Wayne Harpur, Te Iwi Māori Trustee and Board Chair

2001

Te Iwi Māori Trustee Dion Williams

Dion was appointed to the Trust Board in 2001 and completed his term in 2007.

2001 Dion Williams

Dion Williams, Te Iwi Māori Trustee

2003

Professional development with Mae Chen

Mae Chen provided legal background to the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

2004

Te Tiriti o Waitangi artwork by Brian Strong

Trustees Dion Williams, Gwen Neave and Allison Broad presented the Board with the artwork which now hangs in the Trust’s reception area.

A version of Aotearoa New Zealand’s founding document Te Tiriti o Waitangi also hangs in the Trust’s Boardroom as a reminder of the Trust’s commitment.

2005

Professional development with Pat Snedden & Moana O Hinerangi

Pat (ASB Community Trust Trustee) spoke to the Trust and invited guests at two separate forums, outlining the history of the Ngati Whatua experience in Auckland, and the implications from a Te Tiriti o Waitangi perspective.

Trainer/facilitator Moana O Hinerangi held cultural training for the Trust’s Te Tiriti o Waitangi work on Rakiura/Stewart Island.

2006

Anchor Stones, Waiata, Karakia & Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop

In 2006 the Trust hosted the Combined Community Trusts conference in Invercargill and the theme was ‘Anchoring our communities’. The conference Powhiri was held at Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff and the Trust commissioned two anchor stones, one of these being gifted as Koha to Awarua Rūnaka for hosting the Powhiri. The other anchor stone holds pride of place in the Trust’s reception area. The anchor stones represent the punga traditionally used with waka, and are diorite which was found in Te Anau, transported there by glaciers and rivers many thousands of years ago. The anchor stone was shaped and nurtured by renowned Southland sculpture artist Russell Beck. Miniature anchor stones were also presented as gifts to conference speakers.

In preparation for the conference Trustees and Staff began having waiata training/practice as part of each Trust Board meeting. Following the conference, it was agreed that continuing to invest time in ongoing waiata practice was important for the Trust. Waiata now form part of Trust Board meetings and Trust public events and formal meetings of the Trust begin and end with a Karakia.

 A Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop for the Trust was also held in 2006 and facilitated by Bill Hamilton.

2007

Mana Whenua endorsed Trustee Raewynne Evans & Gifting of a name

In July 2007 the Trust first sought the support and endorsement of Mana Whenua to secure a Mana Whenua presence on the Trust Board. The process involved seeking nominations from the combined Papatipu Rūnaka of Murihiku to identify a person(s) endorsed by Mana Whenua who the Trust could recommend to the Minister of Finance for appointment as a Trustee. The added leadership responsibility of a Mana Whenua endorsed Trustee is recognised and in addition to the role of Trustees in general.

Along with the usual roles of a Trustee the role of a Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee includes connecting the Trust with Iwi, providing a Māori perspective into Trust decision making; encouraging consideration of issues surrounding Mana whenua and Iwi Māori; facilitating advice and guidance to the Trust in undertaking its operations in a manner that values and respects kawa (protocols) and tikanga (customs).

Raewynne was appointed as the Trust’s first Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee in 2007 and completed her term in 2013. To give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principle of partnership the Trust remains committed to recommending a Mana Whenua endorsed presence on the Trust Board.

In 2007 the Ngāi Tahu Rūnaka of Murihiku gifted the name ‘Te Pou Arataki Pounamu o Murihiku’ to the Trust, its meaning is ‘the sanction that all pathways in Murihiku lead to where people obtain the treasures that enable them to fulfil their aspirations’.

2007 Raewynne Evans

Raewynne Evans, Mana Whenua endorsed Trustee 

2009

Stirling Point Anchor Chain Sculpture

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Trust the Stirling Point anchor chain sculpture was commissioned signifying the anchoring of Maui’s waka – Te Waipounamu to Rakiura/Stewart Island, with Stirling Point being the waka’s prow. The chain links were created by sculpture artist Russell Beck with the Rakiura/Stewart Island anchor chain installed in 2002. The project was a collaborative effort with input also from Iwi, Invercargill City Council, the Department of Conservation and the Awarua/Bluff community.

2009 Stirling Point Anchor Chain Sculpture
2010

Te Ao Hou project

The seeds of the Te Ao Hou project were first sown in 2010 and were acted upon following the Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop in 2011, when the Trust’s then Mana Whenua endorsed Trustee Raewynne Evans first discussed the possibility of undertaking a project that would help with Trustees and staff develop their understanding.

2011

Professional development with Philomena Shelford (Poipoi) & Ani Waaka

Philomena spoke to the Trust Board about a range of Māori issues including health and justice.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop facilitated by Ani Waaka was also held for Trustees and staff. One of the outcomes of the workshop was to undertake a project to assist Trustees and staff to develop a clear understanding of Te Iwi Māori Community to support engaging in partnerships.

2012

Professional development with JR McKenzie Trust, ASB Trust CEO’s & Te Ao Hou project

Presentation to the Trust Board from JR McKenzie Trust and ASB Trust CEO on their Trust’s experiences and journey to embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their organisations.

With the endorsement of the Combined Papatipu Rūnaka of Murihiku, the Trust undertook the Te Ao Hou to map Te Iwi Māori Community of the Trust’s area.

2013

Te Ao Hou project & new policy preservation and development of Māori language & culture

The Trust commissioned Hokonui Rūnaka, in conjunction with the National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis (NIDEA) from Waikato University, to undertake the ‘Te Ao Hou’ research project.

Te Ao Hou was to provide a foundation for the Trust to develop its capability to live Te Tiriti o Waitangi through meaningful relationships and partnerships with Te Iwi Māori community. Through Te Ao Hou the Trust hoped to build its collective knowledge and understanding, to support well informed decision making.

In June 2013 the Trust Board approved a new policy relating to the preservation and development of Māori language and Culture.

2015

Strategic Plan, Te Iwi Māori Trustees Stephen Bragg & Mata Cherrington

Demonstrating commitment to and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles was formally acknowledged as a strategic objective and recognition was included within the strategic plan that Te Tiriti o Waitangi is the foundation for all that we do.

Stephen Bragg was appointed along with Mata Cherrington who then went on to become Chair of the Trust Board in 2021.

2015 Stephen Bragg
Mata Cherrington web

Stephen Bragg, Trustee and Mata Cherrington, Heamana Chair

2016

Te Iwi Māori Trustee Warren Skerrett & professional development with Jen Margaret

Warren was appointed to the Trust Board in 2016 and completed his term in 2019.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop facilitated by Jen Margaret was held for Trustees and Staff.

2016 Warren Skerett

Warren Skerett, Trustee

2019

Rūnanga & Marae visits

Over the years the Trust has formally visited Awarua Rūnanga, Hokanui Rūnanga and Oraka/Aparima Rūnanga have held Board meetings at each of these Rūnaka. The Trust has also formally visited Waihopi Rūnanga and Marae but has not held a Board meeting there. Staff have also visited and held funding clinics at various Rūnaka. The Board has also visited Maata Waka and their marae; Nga Hau E Wha, Te Tomairangi (and held a Trust Board meeting) Matarua, and Te Oruanui. 

Throughout 2019 the Trust invited Rūnanga to share kai and their aspirations. The Trust continues to meet with Rūnanga on a regular basis.

2019 Runanga and marae visitsg
Waihopai Marae extra image
Waihopai Marae opening day extra image

CTS staff and Trustees visiting Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff

2020

Raiha Johnson, Ngā Mātāpono (Our Values), Mihi Whakatau, Trust Deed amendment & Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee

Cultural capability and Te Tiriti o Waitangi training facilitated by Raiha Johnson for Trustees and Staff was held. Ongoing Te Reo and tikanga training for staff was introduced and remains an ongoing feature of staff professional development.

The Trust’s values were refreshed to recognise Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles of partnership, protection, and participation and to reflect Te Reo Māori as a taonga and an official language of Aotearoa New Zealand. Also reflecting the Trust’s commitment to ensuring Te Reo and Māori tikanga are reflected in our day-to-day operations.

In October 2020 new Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee Louise Fowler and new Trustee Kirsty Pickett were welcomed to the Trust with a Mihi Whakatau. Following this it was decided that all new Trustees would be welcomed with a Mihi Whakatau and in 2021 new Trustees Mel Montgomery, Leon Hartnett and Leanne Samuel were welcomed to the Trust by virtual Mihi Whakatau due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Since November 2020 it has been the practice to start and end each meeting with a whakatauki or karakia, to appropriately set the scene for each meeting and close each meeting so Staff and Trustees can safely move back out of the meeting.

In September 2020 the Trust Deed was amended to include two key additions to support the Trust to demonstrate its commitment to and understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles. The first refers to the skills of Trustees with the requirement added that the Trust Board must collectively have the skills to manage the Trust and in particular it must have sufficient Trustees who whakapapa Māori. The second addition was the inclusion of clause 22.4, which states, the Trustees should have regard to the principals of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in interpreting this Trust Deed and in performing their obligations under the Trust Deed.

2020 Louise Fowler

Louise Fowler, Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee

2021

Te Whai Hua & Papatipu Rūnaka discretionary fund

Te Whai Hua, a Trust Board Sub Komiti (Committee), was established in 2021 to assist in developing the Trust’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and as kaitiaki of a community endowment. 

The co-design of the Papatipu Rūnaka discretionary fund started in 2020 to provide discretionary funding to each of the Papatipu Rūnaka o Murihiku in response to Covid-19, recognising that the Rūnaka were best placed to support their community with the challenges created by Covid-19. 

This fund was co-designed with Rūnaka and provided discretionary funding aligned to the Trusts Strategic Vision and funding was distributed for the first time in 2021.

2021 papatipu runaka
2022

Professional development with Mana Whenua endorsed Trustee Louise Fowler

A decision to include a Te Ao Māori professional development session at each Trust Board meeting, facilitated by Mana Whenua Endorsed Trustee Louise Fowler, was implemented.

2024

Appointment of first Pouārahi Māori

In a significant move towards strengthening relationships with Māori communities in our rohe (area) and our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Community Trust South appointed Greg Houkamau as its first Pouārahi Māori in September 2024 - a position which marks a step forward in the Trust's journey to embed Kaupapa Māori into its core operations and cultural framework.

Greg1 v3

Greg Houkamau, Pouārahi Māori