The first three hui were all about giving TK14 owners as much information as possible so you can be fully informed. Several people asked that there be a more interactive forum for expressing their views and to ask questions. So the trust scheduled two workshops – one online and one in-person and online. The second workshop was the first opportunity for owners to attend in-person as previous hui had been restricted to online due to the Covid situation.
Here are the minutes from the two workshops and we have also included the video from workshop 2.
TK14 Owner Workshop #1
Facilitator
Leo Watson
Trustees
Malcolm Short, Anaru Bidois, Emily Rota-Bidois, Waldo Houia
Support
Alex Wilson, Jeff Fletcher, Mike Morgan
Technology
FeverPitch
Apologies
Uenuku Fairhall
Karakia
Waldo Houia
Introductions
Leo Watson introduced himself as the facilitator and acknowledged those owners who have made the effort to attend. Explanation of the protocols for this owner workshop. This had come about because of a request from a previous engagement hui that there be a forum where owners can put forward their own aspirations. Owners are referred to the previous material provided by trustees as part of the hui, this is not being repeated today. A second workshop will be held on Saturday.
Workshop
Charlene Olliver talks of her wish to live on the land for her whānau. She holds shares which are equivalent to 4 acres. Can she utilise that shareholding to assist her with equity into building a house. She asks a question about partitioning her shares.
Leo says he acknowledges that those with large shareholding will want to see a link to tangible benefits. Will respond in due course on her particular situation. In terms of partitioning, any owner has the right at law to apply for partitioning, but the Trust view is that land should be retained collectively. Housing can be provided by way of occupation orders to find the balance and give owner security of tenure for themselves and pass those rights by way of succession to their next generation.
Charlene says that she wants to visit the whenua. Leo acknowledges this request and this is being actioned by Trustees.
Charlene says she supports the Trustee principles, wants to see protection of pā sites and sites of significance. Charlene particularly concerned at the impacts on the environment, and wants to be informed about that.
Charlene has concerns that the Ford Block is being supported in terms of their development. Charlene also asks about the exchange land and where that is.
Leo provides details of the exchange land proposal.
Hohepa Walker explains his journey of learning in relation to the block, and notes his brother Ian McKay has been involved. Here to learn and gain a better understanding. Hohepa wants to see his ‘Rangiwewehitanga’ on the land. He is learning te reo Māori.
Margaret Elers explained that she was an owner, but that her children had skills (scientist, engineers etc) which can contribute. Margaret also wants a site visit to the whenua. She is concerned at the negativity towards the Trust and wants everyone to be on the same waka.
Leo appreciated her contribution and suggested that an inventory of owners and the skills/qualifications etc could be developed.
Anaru supports the kōrero and has enjoyed tonight. Hohepa has pointed out the importance of the Māori language. He iti, he pounamu. Welcome these contributions.
Karakia: Waldo
TK14 Owners Workshop #2
We have uploaded the video from Workshop 2 and you can view it here.
Facilitator
Leo Watson
Trustees
Malcolm Short, Anaru Bidois, Uenuku Fairhall, Waldo Houia
Support
Alex Wilson, Jeff Fletcher, Mike Morgan
Technology
FeverPitch
Apologies
Emily Rota-Bidois (Trustee). Other Owner apologies on register held by TK14.
Karakia
Waldo Houia
Introductions
Leo Watson introduced himself as the facilitator and acknowledged those owners who have made the effort to attend.
Explanation of the protocols for this owner workshop. This had come about because of a request from a previous engagement hui that there be a forum where owners can put forward their own aspirations. Owners are referred to the previous material provided by trustees as part of the hui, this is not being repeated today.
A series of slides were shown to illustrate the location of the TK14 land, the extent of the proposed development and the location of the commercial land blocks that the Council consider might be available to transfer to TK14 ownership, as compensation for easements/leases on TK14 land.
Leo noted that the second issue for today’s wānanga was the Trustee rotation and elections proposal. The trustees were here to listen to owners. This is primarily an opportunity to hear feedback.
Workshop
The floor was opened to owners to share their thoughts, feedback, aspirations, concerns and alternative proposals.
Joe Trainor
The retention of the land in owners’ hands is the fundamental bottom line. It must NOT be sold. All other principles flow from that.
Georgina Whata
• Acknowledge that there has been a shift in attitudes in the Trust. Can feel that trustees are listening. Should have happened long ago.
• Re additional land from the Council, where you refer to “acquire” – does that mean pay for the land?
• My view – want to leave the whenua alone, don’t develop, and reflect on who we are…. Others need to know who we are. Could have a visible connection of Te Arawa out to our land, throughout our rohe.
• There is a good model of Whakarewarewa as a working township, underpinned by tikanga.
• Ask Trust to build partnership with the other Māori blocks who are affected – I hear that the other blocks not approached?
• Trustees Guiding principles, most of these are bad. But acknowledge that the devil is in the detail.
Leo asked Georgina to comment on alternatives, and invited owners to see the land as a blank canvas and plan a community that has tikanga as the basis. Seems that the Trust and owners are agreeing on many of the basics.
Georgina – This is the first chance to discuss this – the Te Tumu plan is all we have been told about.
Paora Maxwell
• Apology for not being with you all in person, suffering from Covid. I am here Supporting Trust guiding principles.
• Support the kōrero about retention of the whenua, connections to the whenua
• Who we are: there are 60,000 of us, many are poor. Average income is $28,000 p.a. 65% of us are under the age of 39 yo. Only 1/3rd of us own our own homes.
• There is talk of community spaces – why don’t we build a marae on the land? Why are we shy about that?
• Site visit – this is essential.
• Commercial opportunities will flow from the other principles.
• Concerned about erosion and sea inundation and impacts of Climate change – what do the environmental reports say?
Leo acknowledges the contribution. Will recommend to the Trust that the environmental reports are made available on the web – (these are available now here.) Asks Paora what his view is on the proposal to allow some of the land to be used for infrastructure as a quid pro quo to provide opportunities for development on the land.
Paora responds that he is pragmatic – in a commercial world, you need to give some to get some. The proposal makes sense that in order to unlock opportunities for our owners, there is a need to allow some of our land for infrastructure.
Trustee comment:
Anaru Bidois
The three hapū are my focus, who hold mana whenua to the block. Not see myself as Te Arawa in this context, but as affiliated to those hapū. Mana whenua belongs to those three hapū. We have mana whakahaere as trustees.
Uenuku Fairhall
Backside of the block is not pretty but the sea end is outstanding and the potential significant. However, we do not want this to be an extension of Papamoa. Western style models – need to break free from that. The coloured map has to start as afresh, Māori culture is not an add on. Start from marae, kainga, and radiate out from there. Agree with that.
Jacqueline Clark
• Support marae concept
• Trust should look at Mangatawa; good example of housing plans which are affordable for our people.
• Suggest that the Trust makes your own plan, not react to the Council plan.
• Ask the owners what their needs are and their skills.
Leo recommends that the survey of owners be extended to perhaps capture the skills within the owners, and their housing needs.
Arthur Flintoff
• About the Geotech and environmental reports, Arthur does not agree that the future is positive – up to 1/3rd of the land there is not subject to liquefaction – conservative estimate because the climate predictions are getting worse.
• History matters – we have become colonised – we are mana whenua, not just landowners – we need to see the whole coast in context, not limited to the land boundaries.
• Propose that the Trust puts a hauora centre on the land and ensure there is access to health services.
• Support a Cultural design of the development.
• Propose that the Trust has representation on the river and other blocks (Ford) developments as well to ensure waahi tapu and sites/water etc. We need to exercise influence.
• The use of land from Council in compensation for using our whenua – need to focus on quality of the land, not just the economic value.
• Support guiding principles, but Tikanga is the number 1 to our guiding principles.
Uenuku asks Arthur to comment on the balance between slowing down, and moving to take advantage of opportunities. There is pressure on whanau for houses – how do we go fast slowly and slowly fast.. Arthur responds: When is the time for development? Always Council will be ready. The time is our time. Need to make informed decisions. Council must give you the info you want to know.
Hineata Nahu
• Support all of the Guiding principles – but want to add “Māori landowners” in front of each principle.
• In terms of housing, should prioritise on housing our retirees.
• I am a businesswoman – I can see myself in those principles – commercial building, hauora (rongoā), also we have creative people who should be involved.
• Support the Survey to gather statistics of our owners. What are they learning, or wanting to learn? This can also help with planning for scholarships.
John Fenwick
• Acknowledge the Trustees, and heard much of this kōrero over the years from my mother Pirihira.
• Don’t sell the land – agree with that.
• Great ideas from Georgina. But do not agree with slowing down, we need to take the opportunities that are here, but it is about improved communication with the owners.
• Quayside Holdings – their significant inland port development will have a direct bearing on what happens with the whenua. Need to be at the table.
Georgina Whata
• Not meaning “do nothing” but take the time to refocus on ourselves and our voice/vision. There are global models of building communities for indigenous peoples.
• Infrastructure does not have to mean just roadways, should include walkways, our water/stream development, the whole picture.
• Use technology to create new ideas.
Trustee rotation and elections
Leo introduces the second kaupapa, by showing the current trustee rotation proposal, and noting that elections are proposed this year for current vacancies. The slide shows feedback from the previous hui. Opens the floor for owner feedback.
Arthur Flintoff
• Not in favour of 7 years experience. Need right skills.
• Management as well as governance.
Paora Maxwell
• I was one who said all trustees should resign, I am not against development. But I attended the last AGM almost 2 years ago and it was shambolic. All the trustees have skills which are valuable. But this Trust needs a clean sweep, trustees could stand again, to test their support.
• Experience and qualifications in governance is very important. People need to understand the development and the skills needed to implement.
John Fenwick
• I am in favour of retention of trustees, do not want to lose momentum.
• Rotation system is supported.
• Asks – is the Ahu Whenua Trust the right vehicle for the development to come?
Leo agrees that the strategic question is important – the Ahu Whenua Trust can be used as a vehicle to create subsidiaries to implement commercial or other activity – can be beneficial for efficiencies, and for limiting liability.
John Trainor
• I do not agree with all the trustees resigning, you have come through the baptism of fire. I support rotation and propose equal representation from the three hapū, so that trustees can talk at the hui about the views of their hapū, and vice versa.
• As to experience and qualifications, Trustees can’t be expected to know everything, and entitled to rely on consultants advisors etc.
Jacqueline Clark
• If two trustees are coming off, maybe put five on, as advisory trustees to learn with you.
• Not in support of trustee structure because this means that trustees are the “owners”.
• Ask that Trustees commit to retain the land; not want management “middle men” to take away the link and accountability from trustees to owners.
Leo assures Jacqueline that the trustees are required at law to report directly to the owners.
Georgina Whata
• I still want trustees to stand down; the AGM was shambolic. I was one of the people that took you to Court. That was not easy to do. Not sure if that contributed to where we are today, but this hui is where we should have been 5 years ago.
• 5000 owners – we have the numbers to find suitable trustees from among the owners.
• Want to comment on the proposal for hapū endorsement of nominees. Don’t agree with that, because I am one of those people that would be unlikely to get that support, and yet can contribute to the Trust. There is a clash of the hapū endorsement vs ahu whenua trust.
• In terms of trustee qualifications and experience, I support a requirement that nominees have background in basic Maori land governance.
Uenuku, invites Georgina to comment on a compromise suggestion that 3 of the 7 seats require hapū endorsement and the 4 other seats not have that requirement.
Leo notes that “hapū endorsement” is simply a process whereby a nominee who wishes to stand as a trustee be asked to reconnect to the hapū and prior to the nominations close, the hapū would call a hui to hear from the candidates and have opportunity to ask questions. Not a “veto”,but a sense of connection to the hapū.
Charlene Olliver
• My pātai, we hold Shares in the land – is our increased land holding going to be vested based on proportionate shareholding?
Leo: yes, more land into Trust ownership would follow the existing shareholding. Leo also thanks Charlene for her contribution to Tuesday’s workshop – acknowledge your questions, about whether a large shareholding can be used as a form of equity to support a housing build back on the whenua.
Leo thanks participants and outlines next steps of engagement.
Karakia: Uenuku