Tumu Whakarae Report

Tēnā koutou katoa

I am proud to present my first Tumu Whakarae Report. As we grow there are many more exciting kaupapa to share with you at both a governance and operational level.

I was fortunate to arrive at the tail end of the year and I would like to give a big mihi to all those who contributed to its success.

Te Ara Toiroa: Ngāruahine Procurement Strategy in action

Spring boarding off the development of the Te Ara Toiroa strategy, we had an increase from six to twelve kaimahi by 31 March 2022, 100% Māori and a large majority are our own Ngāruahine uri. This was achieved through ensuring our structure had purposeful development and career progression for our kaimahi – summer internships, entry level positions and technical leads.

Having kaimahi who are proud to serve Ngāruahine has been a key contributor to what we have achieved in 2021-22. You can find more about our kaimahi on pages 46-48.

Te Uraura goes into further detail regarding this kaupapa on page 15.

Establishment of Te Whare Kōrero o Ngāruahine

During the year the Board agreed to the tono, to transition and support the further growth of Te Reo o Ngāruahine. Te Whare Kōrero o Ngāruahine is the revised Te Reo o Ngāruahine kaupapa under Te Korowai.

The name “Te Whare Kōrero o Ngāruahine” talks to the retention of our taonga and encapsulates the broader kaupapa that will be delivered under its tāhuhu. It is also an acknowledgement of the whare wānanga, whare kura, whare maire and whare tapere of our tūpuna.

Te Whare Kōrero o Ngāruahine will be the repository for te reo me ngā tikanga o Ngāruahine. Building on the great legacy of Te Reo o Ngāruahine, you will see the same trusted kaupapa delivered, as well as NZQA accredited courses in partnership with Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi.

In order to continue the legacy of Te Reo o Ngāruahine, we are fortunate to have the wealth of experience from Philip Nuku as Pouhautū and Puhi Nuku as Kaiako Matua to lead and deliver this kaupapa.

Philip and Puhi are active uri in Ngāruahine who devote their time to their people. They were instrumental in the establishment of this kaupapa and we are already seeing it ascend to new heights.

You can hear more from Philip about Te Whare Kōrero o Ngāruahine on page 12.

Ka Uruora

During the year Te Korowai engaged with the Ka Uruora saving scheme. The scheme allows uri to receive $100 per annum from the iwi if they personally contribute at least $100 per annum. This scheme will help whānau to save. It sets the foundation for wider financial support leading up to whānau housing aspirations. I highly recommend that all uri sign up to this kaupapa.

Increase in grants

This year marked the first of many significant increases in scholarship funding. It included a total of $34,030, an increase of $12,073 from the previous year. It also involved a review of the range of grants that we offer, knowing that one size doesn’t fit all.

You can hear more about this kaupapa from Kawarau on page 16 and our successful uri on pages 54-56.

Kaipi St, Manaia

Looking into the future

Te Korowai is very clear about its role as an enabler for our iwi, and our responsibility to maximise the benefits for uri, whānau, Hapū and iwi whānui. We’ve continued to put this whakaaro at the fore when developing our annual plan for the 2022-23 financial year, which can be found on pages 57-62.

One of the recent priorities has been, working on the development of a position on renewable energy. While the green energy kaupapa is admirable, our experience in this space has highlighted the need to understand the application, location and broader context and any impacts that such changes will have on our Hapū and iwi whānui. More information on the project and our Hiringa appeal application can be found on page 18.

During the year we were privileged to have one of our own uri return to support the Te Korowai o Ngāruahine kaupapa. Emma Gardiner came in as Pouhautū near the beginning of the year to carry through the mahi from her predecessors. Emma crafted Ka Ora Taku Toa – our five-year strategy and putting in place an Annual Plan that supported Hapū growth and making aspirations a reality.

Her commitment to Toitū Te Whenua - the Ngāruahine whenua reacquisition kaupapa has seen the beginning of the return of Deferred Selection and Right of First Refusal properties to Hapū. Emma has also been instrumental in forging strong relationships regionally and nationally. These relationships have been vital to progressing kāinga aspirations and the return of Te Korowai o Ngāruahine operations back into our Ngāruahine rohe at the request of our uri.

We thank Emma for her commitment to her people, her foresight and her unbelievable work ethic that has and continues to support Te Korowai to the next stage. Emma hasn’t gone far e te whānau, you will still see her working on our Pupuke te Hihiri Whae Rawa – Impact investments.

Te Korowai has adopted a new approach to how we develop and deliver our kaupapa, and this includes an increase in quality engagement with our uri. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to connect and get involved. Matike mai e te iwi!.

Ngā mihi anō e te whānau,

Te Aorangi Dillon, Tumu Whakarae