Komiti Nui

Who is Te Komiti Nui o Ngāti Whakaue

Te Komiti Nui o Ngāti Whakaue was founded on Sunday 19 April 2009 at a hui-a-iwi of Ngāti Whakaue held in Tamatekapua meeting house, Ōhinemutu.

Vision

To have achieved settlement by December 2013.

Mission

To settle the extant historical claims of Ngāti Whakaue with the Crown.”

Objectives

• To manage and be responsible for all matters related to the Settlement
• To file a Deed of Mandate with the Crown confirming the mandate of Te Komiti Nui to act on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue (as it related to the Settlement)
• To coordinate a register of Ngāti Whakaue by working with other entities who hold details of Ngāti Whakaue members
• To identify, analyse and recommend to Ngāti Whakaue options for post settlement governance and administration (in terms of assets)
• To look into how Ngāti Whakaue can be better coordinated in terms of working together with Whakaue entities and whānui
• To hold shares in and on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue and to appoint two directors to the Central North Island Iwi Holdings Limited to look after Ngāti Whakaue interests

How was Mandate Achieved?

In order to begin this journey, Ngāti Whakaue had to make sure they had the backing and tautoko of our people and had to seek approval from our tribal members.

What was the Statement of Mandate?

To seek mandate, the approval of our people, the following was put to our hapū/iwi members at these hui:

That Te Komiti Nui o Ngāti Whakaue is mandated to represent Ngāti Whakaue Hapū/Iwi in negotiations with the Crown, regarding the comprehensive settlement of Ngāti Whakaue historical Treaty of Waitangi claims.”

This happened so we could speak on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue when dealing with the Crown. To do this, four hui were held in Auckland, Hamilton, Rotorua and Maketu between 18-21 June 2009. Hui notices were made public in 2 key newspapers. This included the Daily Post (28 May 2009, 13 June 2009, 17 June 2009) and the NZ Herald (10 June 2009).

Was Mandate Fair, Open and Transparent?

A great deal of debate and discussion by whānau members took place at these hui. Questions focused on the mandate as well as the negotiations proposal that was presented. After this those present were asked to vote on the statement above. These steps were taken to make sure that this process was fair, open and transparent.

An official from Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) was present at each of the mandate hui as the independent observer.

On 30 January 2009, after these hui had taken place, the Crown recognised Te Komiti Nui o Ngāti Whakaue as a “Large Natural Group” giving them mandate to act on behalf of Ngāti Whakaue tribal members, for the purposes of Treaty Settlement Negotiations.

What are the Limits to this Mandate?

However, there are limits to what Te Komiti Nui can do.

• Te Komiti Nui only has the authority to negotiate a Draft Deed of Settlement.
• Te Komiti Nui representatives cannot settle any of the claims without the approval of the Ngāti Whakaue hapū.
• Only Ngāti Whakaue hapū/iwi members will have the final say on whether or not to accept a draft Deed of Settlement.

For this reason, your participation is very important.

How were Trustees Elected?

Over a period of 5 weeks, a series of hui were held at marae of Ngāti Whakaue at Ōhinemutu, Ngāpuna and Maketu to choose iwi members to become Trustees for Te Komiti Nui. The process happened as follows:

• Nominations were received from the floor
• Voting forms were handed out to registered members of Ngāti Whakaue over the age of 18
• Completed voting forms were then placed in a sealed ballot box
• A scrutineer was appointed by the hui to assist Hulton & Patchell (Charted Accountants) to undertake the vote count
• Election results were then published in the Daily Post

When were these Hui Held?

The following details when, where and how many Trustees were elected at each of these hui:

• 14 February 2009 | Te Papaiouru, Ōhinemutu | 6 Trustees elected
• 28 February 2009 | Hurungaterangi, Ngāpuna | 2 Trustees elected
• 14 March 2009 | Whakaue, Maketu | 1 Trustee elected
• 21 March 2009 | Te Papaiouru, Ōhinemutu | 1 Trustee elected

Te Komiti Nui has mandate for the following eleven registered claims and those still to BE registered: