Runanga board's successful 14

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

THE election results announced yesterday have placed Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou in a position to move forward and progress, says runanganui chairman Selwyn Parata.

The final results for the 2015 elections for the runanganui board were announced at midday yesterday by the chief returning officer Anthony Morton from ElectionNZ.

Fourteen candidates were elected from a field of 38 to be the board of Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou for the next four years.

Mr Parata, who was re-elected, said “in welcoming the eight new runanganui board members, I would also like to acknowledge the six sitting board members who have been re-elected and those board members who stood and were unsuccessful this time around.

“I want to congratulate the runanganui for the effort made in engaging people in these elections, with an additional 12,000 voting packs going out to eligible voters.

“At the end of the day the key decision on who governs the runanganui is in the hands of the people registered as Ngati Porou adult members.

“They were all given the opportunity to vote. It is a bit disappointing that only 4152 exercised that right, which brings to mind the old adage ‘you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink’.”

Mr Parata has been chairman of the runanganui since the passing in February of the first chairman Dr Apirana Mahuika.

Runanganui chief executive Herewini Te Koha said the next step on the journey for the iwi had begun with the elections.

“We had more Ngati Porou voters turn out to have their say in this election but we know we can all do much better,” said Mr Te Koha.

“Our challenge is to make the runanganui a real and valued part of the lives of our whanau and, in turn, create real opportunities for our whanau to strengthen their connections to home.”

“This election was about the future of our iwi, not just the next four years but the long-term, intergenerational wellbeing of our people. The iwi has spoken through their votes, and now we look forward with confidence to the future,” said Mr Te Koha.