Review of the 2019 Annual General Meeting

There is always the possibility that marae we book are needed for tangi and that’s exactly what happened for the AGM this year, not once, but twice.

The former Te Hāwera picture theatre, now a church for the Assembly of God, eventually hosted the hui. The AGM presentation was massive, shown on a full-size screen like a Hollywood Blockbuster. The theatre was too small for kai hākari though, so Te Korowai’s team reorganised the office for a sitdown luncheon.

There were 139 uri in attendance for the hui and registered apologies from 60 uri, making this the largest AGM since Te Korowai was established in 2013. “That so many people attended or tabled their apology shows interest across Ngāruahine is healthy,” said Allie Hemara-Wahanui, Pouhautū for Te Korowai. “We never really know how many people will attend so estimating catering is one-part experience and one-part gumption; and then the people arrived.”

All of the standard AGM resolutions were passed however, the hui wasn’t all plain sailing. There were many questions about the Deferred Selection Properties (see page 24) and a comment that Te Korowai is shifting away from hapū and the hau kāinga (those at home). Allie disagrees.

“ Te Korowai is not shifting away from hapū, in fact we are working hard to be as inclusive of all uri wherever they might live. This is crucial because Te Korowai is responsible to all uri.” Allie Hemara-Wahanui

Chair for Te Kiwai Maui (the commercial arm of Te Korowai), Hinerangi Raumati, spoke about the Dawson Falls Lodge that was purchased by the iwi in 2016. The Lodge is a seasonable business and when guests stay, the Lodge operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Live-in managers have been on board since September last year, however it is unrealistic to expect that they would work from sun-up to sun-down so salaries have increased so that there are sufficient kaimahi to operate the Lodge properly.

Te Korowai Trust’s revenue was less (-$316k) than the year before however, this included a $304k grant for Tawhitinui Marae channelled through Te Korowai’s books. If that is removed, then this year’s revenue is comparable with last year. Overall the group’s expenses were less (-$395k) than the previous year as well. This shows good management of the budget.

PriceWaterhouseCooper was appointed auditor for the 2020 audit and the AGM approved the 2019/20 Annual Plan. “The Annual Plan sets the priorities approved by the Board for the office to implement. The budget sits behind that plan and management accounts to the Board on both the progress of plan and the budget,” said Allie.

This year’s plan continues to focus on the three strategic priorities set in the long term 2040 Strategic Plan. They are relationships, capability and self-resilience, with several projects from the previous annual plan carried forward. However, a key difference is the emphasis on research; specifically collecting evidence to inform the Board’s strategy and the decisions they need to make.

“We are committed to achieving our vision; Ka ora taku toa, that Ngāruahine uri are flourishing and thriving. Therefore, we need solid information about us, to make good decisions for us,” said Allie.

A copy of the 2019 Annual Report can be downloaded from the iwi website or contacting the office for a hard copy. Next year’s annual general meeting will be held slightly earlier on Saturday, 8 August 2020, to take into account the 2020 Te Korowai Election.