Te Kauhanganui endorses new strategic plan

Te Kauhanganui, the tribal parliament of Waikato-Tainui, has today endorsed a new strategic plan put forward by the tribal executive.

The plan was endorsed by Te Kaumaarua, the executive of the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust, earlier this month.

Chairman Kingi Porima said the broad outline for the strategic plan was formulated late last year, and then fleshed out at a retreat held by the board on Waitangi Day.

The strategic plan includes the following components:

Resolution of the tribe’s outstanding claims to the Waikato River and West Coast Harbours. Endowed College – To establish the college as a tertiary education facility for Tainui students. Marae development – A plan to empower marae to develop their own individual directions. Tribal development – A strategy for the benefit of tribal members which includes health, education and social service initiatives. Constitutional review – Consult with the people what should be done, if anything to the tribe’s constitution. A 10 year post settlement review – Looking at the tribe’s successes and failures from May 1995 to May 2005. HR Review - A review of internal governance, management and HR systems.

Kingi Porima says the board is very encouraged to receive this endorsement from Te Kauhanganui.

“It is now up to us as a board to work together and deliver results back to the people.

“Our focus is now very much on the development of our people,” he said.

Mr Porima said the issue of vacant positions on Te Kaumaarua was also put to Te Kauhanganui for its consideration.

There are currently 10 members on the 12 member board.

Kingi Porima said the executive put forward three options for Te Kauhanganui:

Hold fresh elections Co-opt members onto the board until the current term expires (Feb 2006) Leave the seats vacant until the current term expires (Feb 2006)

Mr Porima says the executive was commended for taking the issue Te Kauhanganui.

“There was some support for each of the options, and in the end it was decided to put it back to Te Kaumaarua to decide,” he said.

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