TARANAKI MĀORI TRUST BOARD

Transcription

1 TARANAKI MĀORI TRUST BOARD Annual Report to 30 June 2013

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table OF CONTENTS... 2 ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION... 3 AGENDA... 4 SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION FROM HUI A TAU CHAIRMAN S REPORT... 7 TARANAIKI MĀORI TRUST BOARD GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TRUSTEE INTERESTS Cover Image: Taranaki Māori Trust Board 1930 s, Whakarongotai Marae- Waikanae at the tangi of Natanahira Wi Parata- from left Back rows: Unknown, Tupito Maruera, Rima Wakarua, Wi Kupe Raungaiti, Unknown, Takarangi, Unknown, Edwin, Kaho Heremia, In front, Nohomairangi Te Whiti, Wi Hape Pakau Love 2

3 ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION BOARD MEMBERS Tokatūmoana Walden (Taranaki) Allie Hemara- Wahanui (Ngā Ruahine) Rodney Baker (Ngāti Mutunga) Frances White (Ngāti Tama) Wharehoka Wano (Te Ati Awa) Ngāpari Nui (Ngāti Ruanui) Darryn Rātana (Ngā Rauru) Maioha Tokotaua (Ngāti Maru) Chairperson Secretary REGISTERED OFFICE Accountants: Auditors Bankers Solicitors Cnr Bayly Road and Ocean View Parade Moturoa PO Box 8136 New Plymouth Taranaki Ph: Staples Roadway PO Box 146 Taranaki Mail Centre New Plymouth Phone: BDO, New Plymouth BNZ Bank, New Plymouth Shaun Gilford 3

4 AGENDA TARANAKI MĀORI TRUST BOARD, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WAIOTURI MARAE 10am 23 NOVEMBER Karakia/Mihimihi 2. Apologies 3. Minutes of 2012 AGM 4. Chairperson s Report 5. Receive and Adopt Annual Accounts 6. General Business 4

5 MINUTES FROM HUI A TAU 2012 Taranaki Maori Trust Board Summary of the 2012 Annual General Meeting 13 October 2012 Owae Marae, Waitara Board Members present Steve White Hurimoana Haami Kura Denness Allie Hemara-Wahanui Huirangi Waikerepuru Ngati Tama Ngati Mutunga Te Atiawa Ngaruahine Ngati Ruanui Apologies Tokatumoana Walden Taranaki In the absence of the Chair, the Deputy Chair (Hurimoana Haami) chaired the meeting. Previous AGM Minutes The 2011 AGM minutes were tabled and adopted Chairperson s Report The Deputy Chair read the Chairpersons report and this was adopted Financial Reports Staples Rodway presented the 2012 Audit and this was adopted General Business 1. Iwi Disbursements The validity of the disbursement to the Ngaruahine was raised when it was thought that a different Ngaruahine was the preferred recipient. The Board provided the meeting with an outlined of the process applications were received and decisions were made. The Board remains confident in that process and acknowledged that different opinions exist. 2. Status of Trust Board Register Two issues were raised being the: a. Status of the register The Trust Board acknowledged that the status of the register is out of date and that this information is relied on for important election decisions. The Trust Board sees the process 5

6 of reconstituting the board would involve addressing issues like the election process so it aligns with the election process of iwi. People consider the register as a tool by which to communicate with the members and were disappointed that the register itself was so out of date. b. Access to the Register The Trust Board explained that it is restricted because of the Privacy Act and unable to make the register freely available. This explanation was not supported and the expectation that the Trust Board takes every effort to rectify this issue was made. Speakers challenged the 200 Te Atiawa registered on the Trust Board when their own iwi register has significantly more. 6

7 CHAIRPERSON S REPORT Ka tiu he toroa a uta, ka hoka he toroa a tai, mariripiripi o te rangi, te ana kohakoha o te rangi, te rangi pununui, te rangi puroroa, te rangi hauora, hauora ki tipua, hauora ki tawhito, hauora ki a koutou nga uri o te mounga nei o Taranaki, heoti ano ra e nga kanohi o ho tatou tauheke, tupuna i te po, tena koutou katoa. Firstly, I think it is important to mention those whom have passed on over the past year and those whom we continue to mourn since their passing. Although they are not with us their legacy will continue to guide us in the highways and byways of life. There have been many of our tauheke, kuia, pahake, tamariki and mokopuna who have passed on and I think it is important to acknowledge them and hope that the strength of whanau will help heal the mamae in their passing. On behalf of the Taranaki Maori Trust Board I am pleased to present this Chairperson s report for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June The past twelve months have been productive period for the Board and I comment on some of those activities further in this report. A Year in Review Trust Board Membership The Board underwent its three yearly elections with several members deciding not to seek re-election, thereby creating an opportunity to welcome new members onto the Board. Last year we fare welled Steve White (Ngati Tama), Hurimoana Haami (Ngati Mutunga), Kura Durness (Te Atiawa), Huirangi Waikerepuru (Ngati Ruanui) and Mike Neho (Nga Rauru) and welcomed Francis White (Ngati Tama), Rodney Baker (Ngati Mutunga), Wharehoka Wano (Te Atiawa), Maioha Tokotaua (Ngati Maru), Ngapari Nui (Ngati Ruanui) and Darryn Ratana (Nga Rauru). Both I and Allie Hemara-Wahanui (Ngaruahine) were re-elected for another term. After 20 years of faithful service we received, with sadness, the resignation of Secretary, Ms Gillian Thorpe. While members came and went Gillian was the constant over that time and we are forever grateful to her and the institutional knowledge she had accumulated over that time. Gillian resigned to pursue other employment opportunities. In response to her resignation and the need for on-going administrative and secretarial services the Board engaged the Taranaki Iwi Trust to provide Secretariat support. This role has been largely picked up by Hemi Sundgren and we look forward to a more effective and efficient operation moving forward. Annual Education Grants Programme It was reported last year that Iwi were given the opportunity to manage their own allocation of pūtea by the Trust Board, this enabled Iwi to manage and establish a relationship with uri seeking a grant in the hope that other opportunities might flow from a direct relationship with their respective iwi. Iwi that chose to and had 7

8 the capacity to manage their grant were required to have an education strategy and policy in place, provide an evaluation report, and because we did not contribute to their administration costs, Iwi needed to have a sound infrastructure already in place. This was again taken up by Ngati Tama, Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Ruanui and Ngarauru and the Trust Board managed the grants programme for the remaining iwi. A total of $68, was allocated for the 2012 study year to tertiary and senior secondary applicants. A breakdown of the number of applicants per iwi is presented below. IWI SECONDARY TERTIARY TOTAL NUMBER OF APPLICANTS Te Ati Awa Ngati Tama Ngati Mutunga Ngati Maru Taranaki Ngati Ruanui Nga Rauru Nga Ruahine Future Structure for the Taranaki Maori Trust Board The outcomes of the Transition project reported to you over past years presented a number of issues for the Board to consider, most importantly the future structure of the Taranaki Māori Trust Board. It was clear from the engagement undertaken with iwi that the status quo is untenable and that there are significant limitations with its current structure; in particular that it does not meet the current and future need and expectation of its eight member iwi. Secondly, that given the Boards limited capital base from which to both cover operating costs and also provide benefits to its beneficiaries that there is a need to explore how its capital base and cash flow might be increased in order for the Board to make a meaningful contribution in the future. Subsequently, this became the basis debate and discussion at the Boards latest planning meeting in March of this year. While no definite resolution was reached the Board continues to recognise that there are advantages of a regional forum but is undecided if that forum should be the Trust Board, as a statutory body with changes to better fit Iwi, or something entirely new. Despite this, it is clear that the success or failure of any future entity will require robust engagement and discussion with the eight member iwi. This would include first and foremost an agreement that there is merit in all eight iwi jointly pursuing a programme of action that seeks to provide clarity on the purpose, role and function of any new or re-constituted entity moving forward. The Board also recognised that there are significant limitations with its current structure; in particular that it does not meet the current and future needs and expectations of its eight member iwi. Secondly, that given the Boards limited capital base from which to both cover operating costs and also provide benefits to its beneficiaries that there is a need to explore how its capital base and cash flow might be increased in order for the Board to make a meaningful contribution in the future. Despite the resource constraints the Board also recognise that there is an opportunity to look at strategic options moving forward and to have these considered. Taranaki Iwi are now entering a phase of development where they have established an iwi chairs forum which meets regularly to focus on particular regional matters of common interest and importance and there maybe opportunities for the eight Taranaki 8

9 Iwi to formalise any potential relationship with the Trust Board to progress matters of common interest to all iwi, i.e. natural resources, water, oil and gas, minerals etc. from a collective, regional basis. This would, of course need to be coupled with a strong desire to have clarity about the role and function of the board to ensure clarity between the role of the individual iwi entities and any collective body. Disestablishing the Education Trust During the course of the discussions over the future structure of the Trust Board, the members also sought to clarify their current roles and function and sought to clarify what they were responsible for in order to advise iwi. During these discussions the issue of the assets held by the Board was also raised and debated. It was felt that the Boards assets were a distraction for iwi and it was thought that there might be merit in distributing the residual Board assets, in particular the assets and cash of the Taranaki Education Trust. After some deliberation it was agreed that the cash and assets should be distributed equally among the 8 iwi. The Board considered that by doing this it would allow for greater focus and emphasis on the future role of the Board and the potential for it to focus on the future. It has also become clear that given the changes that have occurred overtime as a consequence of fisheries and Treaty related settlements that the manner in which the Board and this Trust has provided benefits to its member iwi is not as relevant as it once was. It is also considered that there is benefit distributing such assets to iwi where the distribution can be leveraged with other funds that an iwi may have for the provision of charitable purposes. A major consideration also is the fact that the Trust has a small capital base and lacks the management systems required to efficiently and effectively manage this process. Given this fact and the on-going management time and cost to manage the Trust and more particularly the grant process that there is merit in distributing the assets and cash of the Trust to each respective iwi to manage. The Board has subsequently resolved to: Distribute the assets of the Taranaki Education Trust equally among the 8 iwi of Taranaki and seek to wind up the Taranaki Maori Education Trust. The Board, in considering the dissolution has sought to ensure that all remaining trust property be used for charitable purposes akin to that stated within its current Trust Deed. Almost all iwi have endorsed this decision and have since identified an appropriate legal charitable entity to eventually receive the assets. Assets of the Trust The 2013 Financial Statements summarise the current position of the Trust, in summary the Trust has net assets of close to 3 million dollars. On this basis each iwi (or their nominee) would receive in the order of $375, The final amount to be distributed to each of the iwi will be subject to the timing of any distribution and any funds that the Trust will need to retain for the cost of dissolution or future Trust administrative needs. Negotiation of the Annuity The planning meeting in March also allowed the Board to confirm a resolution to agree in principle to develop a position paper setting out the board s intention to negotiate settlement over the non-inflation proofing of the Board annuity. At this meeting the Board concluded that it had a mandate and a responsibility to pursue this particular matter and accordingly that it needed to develop a position to 9

10 negotiate with the Minister of Maori Affairs to potential reach a settlement. The Boards position is based upon; the fact that the Board has a responsibility and obligation to pursue the matter and will take action That the board has a mandate to pursue this matter That the Board will advise all iwi of its intention and that this is a matter for the Board to lead and pursue with the Crown That this is a matter of urgency and will be explored prior to any further discussion about the future of the Board Initial discussions have taken place between the Associate Minister of Maori Affairs and the Board hopes to develop a joint approach moving forward. Mana Loans Mana loans were established in the 1980 s to assist those who were ineligible for a loan through the normal channels with their business ventures. The Trust Board awarded 21 loans to individuals and groups and while pūtea was provided for loan itself, the Trust Board did not receive any pūtea to help administer and monitor the loans. Thirty years on, it is impossible for the Board to reconcile which loans have been repaid and which loans are outstanding. The Board has principally agreed to write off these loans as bad debts as they believe much of the balances are unrecoverable. To bring this kaupapa to a proper conclusion the Board has also sought a legal opinion and process. We expect to officially close this issue in Financial Overview The statement of financial position shows a decrease in equity for the Trust Board Group for the year ending June 2013 by 6.2%. This is largely due to the decrease in revenue following the distributions to iwi the year prior and a marginal increase in expenses. The iwi distributions putea effectively decreased the Boards term investments or capital by $720,000, in turn limiting the Boards ability for higher revenue from its term deposits. It should also be noted that interest rate decreases have also decreased interest revenue. Looking Ahead The future role and purpose of the Trust Board remains to be an on-going discussion, and while the Trust Board has consulted with Iwi and Taranaki whanui it is clear that the status quo is untenable. The Board believes there are advantages of a regional forum and is undecided if that forum should be the Trust Board, as a statutory body with changes to better fit Iwi, or something entirely new. The second major project for the 2014 year is the annuity and negotiating a compensation package for the times the annuity was not paid nor protected against inflation. The Board will continue to meet with Associate Minister of Maori Affairs, Minister Finlayson and he was receptive to having this discussion. For both the Board hopes to undertake significant progress in the 2014 year. I would like to extend my thanks to my fellow board members for their on-going support during the year. We are now approaching another phase for the Board will need to agree on the core generic issues and to find ways to work through together' to build a prosperous future for our whanau, hapu and Iwi. 10

11 As expected our iwi have asked that we provide leadership capacity moving forward and it is our intent to ensure the legacy of the Trust Board is not lost, its mana is retained and enhanced. The Board is excited about the future options before us and the opportunities to lead conversations around issues of relevance to our people. Tokatumoana Walden Chairperson 11

12 TARANAKI MĀORI TRUST BOARD GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 30 June 2013 Audit Report Statement of Comprehensive income Statement of Financial Position Statement of Change in Equity Notes to the Financial Statements 12

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21 SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS 1. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR THAT the members of Ngati Mutunga appoint Silks Chartered Accountants as the auditor for Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga for the financial year ended 30 June TRUSTEE REMUNERATION THAT the members of Ngati Mutunga approve up to $55,000 per annum (excluding GST) as the amount payable to Trustees of Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga for Governance services to Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga 21

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23 TRUSTEE INTERESTS General Disclosures Tokatūmoana Walden (Taranaki) Taranaki Iwi Trust Te Kāhui o Taranaki Trust Taranaki Iwi Claims Management Team Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation Horo Estate Te Korimako Trust New Zealand Energy Corporation Allie Hemara- Wahanui (Ngā Ruahine) PKW Taranaki/Whanganui Conservation Board Chairperson Chairperson Chairperson Negotiator Committee of Management Director Trustee Employee Secretary Community Development Manager Member Rodney Baker (Ngāti Mutunga) Te Rūnanga o Ngati Mutunga Ngāti Mutunga Investment Charitable Trust Maruehi Fisheries Bruskaz Ltd t/a Moana Cottages National Solid Wood Training Sector Ngāti Tama Port Nicholson Trust Frances White (Ngāti Tama) Member Chairman Trustee Director Director Committee Member Registered Member Registered member Member Wharehoka Wano (Te Ati Awa) Te Ati Awa (Taranaki) Settlements Trust Ngāpari Nui (Ngāti Ruanui) Member Chair Member Darryn Rātana (Ngā Rauru) Tuituia Trust Te Whare Punanga Korero Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority Department of Conservation PKW Trust Shareholder Te Kaahui o Rauru Board Datastack Project (NIWA) Member Chairperson Chairperson Chairperson Employee Representative Member Member 23