Awarua
Maria Pera
Ngā mihi o te rā nei ki a koutou - Ngāi Tahu Whānui
Maria has been the representative for Awarua since January 1999. During this time she has experienced and been a party to some monumental decisions for Ngāi Tahu in terms of future directions.
Since settlement, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu has developed its own technique of moving forward during the last eight years. Some have been hesitant around change, while others have been driving it and Maria believes these characteristics all indicate a new and developing entity.
We now have a structure and corporate with a minimum of eight years experience under its belt and a willingness to move forward – not backwards. There have been some turbulent times for te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, however Maria looks at these times as a test of endurance and commitment to the kaupapa and whakataukī – Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei – as a mother and tāua she is constantly driven to leaving a solid and innovative tribe that will allow mokopuna to be able to participate effectively on a global basis.
Maria would like to thank Wally Stone and the Holdings Corporation Board for providing a positive annual result on the back of taking a more focused approach to looking after and growing our commercial assets. She believes this will provide a platform to take Ngāi Tahu to the next level.
Kia tau te rangimārie.