From the Chair

The festive season is but a distant memory and the attentions of the board are now firmly turned to the months ahead. The board are continuing with planning processes and allocating budgets to key pieces of work. Running alongside this, we are progressing with projects that have been in the pipeline for some time.

We have been involved in a number of initiatives this month, including the unveiling of the hokioi carving at Karamea. I met with Buller District Mayor Jamie Cleine in Kawatiri, and it is heartening to know that our iwi has a very good reputation, I believe thanks in part to Brendon and the fine work he has done on our behalf with relationship building. But also, our iwi members are very involved in local community initiatives which keeps our iwi name to the fore.

The board or representatives have been involved in matters ranging from Marlborough District Council’s release of their Marlborough Environmental Plan, The Nelson Tasman Climate Forum, Kotahitanga mō te Taiao Alliance meetings, the Education Capital Works hui, Ministry for Primary Industries meeting, and we are ably represented at a variety of kaimoana initiatives by our General Manager. It is through this type of participation that the board is kept abreast of all issues that could potentially impact on our iwi, good or bad.

Aroha Bond, one of our representatives recently advised the board that she was standing down from her roles as our representative on the Iwi Health Board – Nelson Marlborough District Health Board and Te Piki Oranga Wellness Provider. During her time as an iwi representative, Aroha briefed the board on a regular basis and kept us informed on pertinent matters and helped us shape and influence health matters in our rohe. Thank you, Aroha for such fine representation, we appreciate the time you have given to the iwi and wish you well with your future endeavours.

There are a number of workstreams I’ll be involved with in March, the diary is full. However, if you should have an event that you think I should attend please get in touch, I’ll see what I can do.

You will note later in the pānui the kaumātua initiative. We have spent years trying to firm up all our settlement obligations, setting in place a sound commercial arm and all the other businesses that make up our ‘group’. It is great to introduce a social initiative where kaumātua can catch up over a cuppa, reminisce, ‘chew the fat’ as the saying goes and appreciate each other’s company. These gatherings will be rolled out in other areas throughout the year so please do not feel as if you are missing out.

Tōtaranui 250 Trust are holding a public film screening in Blenheim on March 18 and at a date still to be confirmed in Picton which will feature the work of Keelan Walker capturing a week of Tuia 250 events. This is well worth supporting and I hope you get a sense of the wonderful opportunity we had in commemorating part of our history.

In concluding for this month, I’d just like to ask you to call a whānau member, say hello, tell them you are thinking of them, share a cuppa with someone you haven’t seen for a while, and be kind to yourself – life is precious and short.

Ngā mihi nui

Hinemoa Conner

Chair, Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō Trusts

 

Pictured above: The unveiling of the Hokioi sculpture in Karamea was a proud moment for Ngāti Apa ki te Rā Tō. Pictured, from left, are iwi members Tyson Britt, Lucretia Britt, Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene, Alice Gilsenan, NAKTRT Trust deputy chair Brendon Wilson (back), Barbara Greer (front), Yvonne Wilson, Dyan Hansen, KEEP chair Barry Chalmers, Mahara Gilsenan and Trust chairperson Hinemoa Conner.