Ngati Whatua Orakei Wins Excellence Award

The Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board received a Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Tribal Strategic Planning at the Aotearoa New Zealand Annual Business and Alumni Awards held Friday at the University of Auckland.

Associate Dean of Maori and Pacific Development, Dr Manuka Henare, says the award recognises the way Ngati Whatua Orakei has dealt with complex issues and situations that no other tribal group has had to face. It also recognises a determination to achieve certain visions and goals, he says.

Dr Henare says the nomination process involves monitoring iwi or iwi entities that show excellence in high-level strategic thinking, planning, and implementation of plans over a number of years.

“The Trust Board and its representatives have over many years taken a constructive and wairua approach to the spiritual, social and economic betterment of Auckland City and rohe that has set a very high standard.”

“They have done this with grace and dignity which is to be admired.”

The awards are not a competition. Nominations are decided by the University of Auckland Business School. Local and international standards are applied in the recommendations for recipients.

“Judges draw on academic, business and economic research, knowledge of governance and management of firms, organisations and other entities to reach their decision.”

Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board Chairman Grant Hawke says he was deeply honoured to receive the award on behalf of his people.

Mr Hawke’s acceptance speech was moving, emotional and from the heart.

“I was eight years old when I looked behind me at our houses burning to the ground at Okahu Bay.”

Its important to remember the Crown hasn’t given us much at all. We have accumulated our assets by buying most of them, and managing those assets well.

“There are too many people to acknowledge but I honour Sir Hugh Kawharu, Mike Rameka, Aunty Hopie, Aunty Ruby and of course my elder brother Joe. I acknowledge the many pakeha people who helped us in our times of distress.

“Many people have worked very hard to establish and maintain high standards of strategic thinking and application of solid business processes. There will always be more to do but we are working from a firm footing.”

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