Te Whakaariki

The Te Whakaariki agenda has been full and demanding over the last financial year, with a new government in place requiring considerable work to build and strengthen relationships with the new decision-makers who will make calls that affect the lives of Ngāi Tahu whānau and communities.

This work has concentrated on our tribal staples; Boundaries, fish and Settlement protection. It has also increasingly been directed to education policy as a red flag area for us with the new government, and taking advantage of the opportunities under this government to partner in commercial infrastructure development. All of this work remains 'work in progress' with some notable achievements and an end in sight.

The acheivements include:

• Securing almost $28m of our fisheries entitlement
• The Aquaculture settlement being one step closer to pay out, with Te Rūnanga receiving close to $6m in cash.

Protection of our boundaries is a work in progress with a foreseeable finish as Te Tau Ihu settlement negotiations are likely to conclude in early 2010, sealing off the opportunity for any claims to be made within the Ngāi Tahu takiwā. Te Rūnanga has maintained the enduring Ngāi Tahu position that our mana whenua within the takiwā is exclusive.

The foreshore and seabed has also returned to the national stage, with a compelling review report recommending that the Act be repealed. We acknowledge the sterling and principled work of Hana O'Regan as a review panel member, to bring this report to fruition. It is now our responsibility to find a creative and durable solution to this matter and to start the healing of the mamae from five years ago.