Governance

Te Nehenehenui is comprised of 14 trustees, as outlined below. All those eligible (Adult Registered Members) can vote for one Kura Tau representative, and up to six Kura Rere representatives.

Ngā Kura Rere – are our six generally elected trustees

Ngā Kura Tau – are made up of seven trustees, one from each Whare o Te Nehenehenui.

Te Nehenehenui Trust Deed

Ngā Kura Tau will comprise of seven trustees, one from each Whare o Te Nehenehenui. The purpose of these seven whare is to support the activities of the Trust at a regional level, which include the following:

supporting the election of one Kura Tau trustee to represent each Whare o Te Nehenehenui;

representing whānau and hapū at a regional level;
representing the region in land, water, and environmental matters at a regional level, consistent with our goals and aspirations;
promoting the exercise of mana whakahaere by whānau and hapū over cultural redress sites returned as part of the settlement;
collaborating with key partners to support regional development, consistent with tribal goals and aspirations;
leading the facilitation of regional opportunities to support regional growth and opportunities; and
leading initiatives at a regional level agreed by the trustees as tribal priorities for development.

The seven Whare o Te Nehenehenui are shown in this map. These include:

(a) Te Whare ki Rereahu;

(b) Te Whare ki Mōkau ki Runga;

(d) Te Whare Hau-ā-uru ki Uta;

(e) Te Whare o Waiwaiā;

(f) Te Whare ki Tokanganui a Noho; and

(g) Te Whare ki Ngā Tai o Kāwhia

The seven Kura Tau shall be elected by the adult registered members (aged 18 and over) of Maniapoto who have selected that particular Whare o Te Nehenehenui as their primary whare for the purposes of Kura Tau elections on their Iwi Registration Form.

To be eligible to be a Kura Tau, a person must be:

A registered member of the relevant Whare o Te Nehenehenui;
Nominated by their marae to stand for election (step one); and
Elected by all members of that particular Whare o Te Nehenehenui by majority vote (step two)

Please see the appointment process below, including steps one and two.

Ngā Kura Rere are made up of six trustees generally elected by adult registered members. All those eligible to vote will have an opportunity to vote for up to six trustees from all Kura Rere nominees.

Te Kura Kaumātua provides for a kaumātua representative and will be appointed by the Trustees, on recommendations by the Rōpū Kaumātua (as explained below).

Trustees may appoint a person to act as an Intern Trustee. This trustee will not have any voting rights. To be appointed, you must be an iwi member who the Trustees consider demonstrates leadership potential and possesses skills or knowledge relevant to the purposes of the Trust. This role provides an opportunity for Iwi members to gain governance experience. The Intern Trustee term will be for one year.

Te Nehenehenui Trustees will seek to:

promote the social, cultural, spiritual, educational, environmental and economic advancement and wellbeing of whānau;
promote the health and wellbeing of whānau;
promote and advance the social and economic development across the rohe;
provide for the ongoing maintenance and establishment of places of cultural or spiritual significance across Te Rohe Pōtae;
act as the PSGE for all who whakapapa within Te Rohe Pōtae for the purpose of the settlement of the historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims of Maniapoto;
implement the terms of the settlement of the historical Te Tiriti o Waitangi claims of Maniapoto contained in the Deed of Settlement and the Maniapoto Settlement Legislation;
assume the role of the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board under the terms of the 2008 Ngā Wai o Maniapoto Deed of Agreement and the Ngā Wai o Maniapoto (Waipā River) Act 2012, the 2015 Deed with the Crown concerning the Central North Island Forests Land, and any other roles and responsibilities of the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board identified as ones to be transitioned to the Trust;
act as the Mandated Iwi Organisation (MIO) and Iwi Aquaculture Organisation (IAO) for Maniapoto;
ensure that any Commercial Activities and Cultural Activities are appropriately structured to serve the purpose of the Trust; and
undertake any other activity that is considered by the Trustees from time to time to be beneficial to our whānau.

Trustees will have the authority to establish and oversee the operation of any Te Nehenehenui Entity or from time to time, disestablish any Te Nehenehenui Entity as required. The Trustees will also be responsible for monitoring and overseeing the activities of any Te Nehenehenui Entity and promote the rights and interests of any such entities.

There are also several reference groups that will work alongside the Trustees.

Te Rōpū Rangatahi shall comprise of representatives who are Iwi members. Representatives must be Iwi members aged 35 years or under and who may provide advice on any matters that the Trustees consider requires the view of Te Rōpū Rangatahi.

Te Rōpū Kaumātua shall comprise of representatives who are Adult Registered Members. This rōpū will advise on matters relating to the tikanga, reo and kawa of Maniapoto.

Ngā Aka Whawhau will represent Iwi members who normally reside outside of the Maniapoto rohe, who may provide advice on matters that the Trustees consider requires the view of Ngā Aka Whawhau.

All rōpū are appointed by the Trustees.

Responsibilities of Establishment Trustees

Establishment Trustees are responsible for organising and managing the first election of initial trustees to Te Nehenehenui. The Establishment Trustees will be the current trustees of Maniapoto Māori Trust Board to allow for continuity and a smooth transition to the PSGE.

The first term for Kura Tau and Te Kura Kaumātua trustees will be two years (thereafter, elections will take place every three years) and Ngā Kura Rere trustee elections will take place every three years.

It is important to note that the Trust Deed also requires that a five-year review (after the settlement date) must be initiated to identify the functionality of the Trust Deed and evaluate whether it is fit for purpose. This is a transitional model approach. In order to carry out an open and transparent review, the trustees must engage and consult with our people, seeking feedback and input as part of the review process. This review will take place in 2026.

Accountability

The PSGE is accountable to all of Maniapoto and intends to keep our people updated with regular hui, e-pānui, written correspondence, website, and online engagement through various communication platforms. Documents such as annual reports, annual plans, consolidated financial statements, minute book and 5-year plan will be made available.

Adult Registered Members of Te Nehenehenui are entitled to vote at general meetings on specified matters. Each member has one vote on each resolution. For issues arising at annual general meetings, a majority of members voting is required.

The Trustees are required to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each income year and present annual reports of activities, consolidated financial statements, proposed annual plan and announce new trustees.

Every Adult Registered Member is entitled to participate in the affairs of the Trust through elections, other voting processes and meetings. The settlement legislation will also remove the Māori Land Court’s jurisdiction in respect of trust matters relating to Te Nehenehenui. However, any trust matters relating to Te Nehenehenui can still be dealt with through the High Court. The Māori Land Court will retain its other powers in respect of any Māori land held by the PSGE.

Governance

Te Nehenehenui Trust Deed

Responsibilities of Establishment Trustees

Accountability

CONTACT