Waikato – Tainui Elects Its Fourth Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday 15 February 2009

Waikato – Tainui Elects Its Fourth Board

The triennial election held at tribal headquarters in Hopuhopu today, was the fourth election cycle since the inaugural vote in 1999.

Waikato-Tainui’s tribal parliament Te Kauhanganui comprises three members from each of the 65 Marae of the rohe.

Chair of election proceedings Lady Raiha Mahuta, says the representation on Te Kauhanganui ensures that the concerns and aspirations of youth, kaumaatua and Marae, are considered in the development of plans, policies and strategies for the tribe.

“Today’s election was to appoint 10 executives from with the membership of Te Kauhanganui, to our governance board Te Arataura.

“My role in chairing proceedings was to ensure that the voting process was clearly understood, and the integrity of the ballot was both effective and efficient to produce a clear result. We thank the Auckland branch of Te Puni Kookiri for their support in maintaining the integrity of the elections.”

Lady Raiha says that all board members must first recognise that their expert advice in strategic decisions, are for the whole tribe. She says that the remaining Te Kauhanganui members must continue to champion their Marae decisions within the parliament.

“We must also be grateful for the efforts of the board in the last three years. They have set a plan of action in place to take us through to 2050, they have settled a river claim (with more to settle), and although not a popular plan, they have provided a blueprint for a revamped organization which any new board would have to consider.”

Lady Raiha says Waikato-Tainui is renowned for initiatives and leadership, and standing still or being changeless is not on the programme.

“We have full representation and we are moving out of grievance and into development in a way that tests the psyche of all stakeholders in our region.

“There has been great excitement and anticipation form tribal forums as to who might be appointed. Therefore I am pleased to announce the duly elected Te Arataura board members for the 2009 – 2012 term of office.”

Elected Marae
Charles JOE (re-elected) Ngaa Hau E Whaa
Taitimu MAIPI Te Ohaaki
Maxine MOANA_TUWHANGAI Mookai Kaainga
Tukoroirangi MORGAN (re-elected) Te Hoe o Tainui
Rahui PAPA (re-elected) Poohara
Kingi PORIMA (re-elected) Waipapa
Rukumoana SCHAAFHAUSEN (re-elected) Rukumoana
Patience TE AO (re-elected) Tauranganui
Robert TUKIRI Waikare
Sonny WILSON (re-elected) Hukanui

ENDS

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