Covid-19: Update from the Chair

It’s been a big week for Aotearoa, and indeed the world as the danger of Covid-19 reaches our shores.

The Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trusts would like to assure you that we are taking all necessary precautions to protect our members, kaimahi and partners, and we are also working with our Te Tauihu whanaunga to ensure we respond to risks as a collective.

Some key changes we have implemented are:

• All wānanga/hui set down for Quarter 1 and Quarter 2 in the 2020-21 financial year will be cancelled or deferred until such time as we are comfortable that the level of risk to our iwi members of holding these has abated; we are hopeful that these may be able to resume in Q3-Q4 but this will depend on how the current situation unfolds
• While our offices remain open for now, we ask that iwi members wanting to get in touch please do so by phone or email
• All staff have been directed to conduct business by phone, video conference or email only; there will be no business-related hui kanohi ki te kanohi for the foreseeable future
• All appointments of any new kaimahi are on hold

Our commercial entities met earlier this week, and while our investments have been significantly affected, we remain long term investors and remain confident that we will weather the current crisis.  It is prudent for us to reduce costs where we can though, and the Trusts will meet next week to determine the plans and budgets for the coming year with this in mind.

We need to look after one another, especially our vulnerable kaumatua, and keep ourselves safe. You will already be well aware of current Ministry of Health guidelines around hygiene practices and avoiding large group activity, but if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to give us a call.

Kia haumaru e te whānau.

Hinemoa Conner,

Chairperson, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trusts