Board to be 'strong and effective voice'

FILE

The 14 members of the Te Arawa Partnership Board were announced this week. The board is made up of a cross-section of Te Arawa including koeke (elders), rangatahi (youth), Ngati Whakaue, TeArawa hapu and iwi, Maori land trusts, incorporations and pan entities. Today they tell you a bit about themselves and what they want to achieve

ANA MORRISON - Ngati Whakaue

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

The board has a unique opportunity, alongside the council, to grow a more prosperous, cohesive, and equitable community for the benefit of all. My hope is that the Te Arawa and Maori community will see their voice, values and world view better reflected in council's decisionmaking processes and the resulting activities.

What qualities do you bring to the board?
I have a legal background (Treaty and commercial law) and have a passion for community development. I have governance and senior management experience in a variety of sectors; and contribute principled, robust and innovative decision-making. Currently the Tipu Ora contracts manager and actively involved in iwi commercial activities through board positions on Ngati Whakaue Assets Trust (chairperson) and Pukeroa Oruawhata Lakefront Holdings Ltd. I also support my husband in his marae roles and we have two sons who attend Te Kura oTe Koutu.

KINGI BIDDLE - Ngati Whakaue

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

I believe there is a lot of work to do to create a strong foundation as a board and for the board to be able to realise the goals and intention that has punctuated the journey we have taken over the last year and indeed since the signing of The Fenton's Agreement in the 1800s.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

I bring a heart for Te Arawa, a heart for Rotorua, experience of being on the Te Arawa Standing Committee which gives me knowledge around the workings of council and a love for the word "together". Mushy I know but you wanted my view.

RAWIRI WARU - Land trusts and incorporations

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

The main thing really is better outcomes for everybody. This place can do so much if we just work together. That was the dream of our tupuna.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

I think connections. I have Te Arawa whakapapa and I bring a fresh view and energy to the board. I'm really passionate about our people and am GM at Te Arawa Communications and also a director of Pukeroa Oruawhata Holdings and those things are really helpful.

GEOFF ROLLESTON - Land trusts and incorporations

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

I look forward to this board becoming a strong and effective voice for, not only our own people, but for the whole of Rotorua. We will achieve this by performing with integrity in all our deliberations, by being respectful to each other and to fellow councillors, and to be innovative and challenging, to achieve effective outcomes that make Rotorua a stand-out community, and the envy of all other councils in Aotearoa.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

I bring drive and commitment, honesty and integrity. I possess a keen focus to support the establishment of a strong and capable Maori voice at the council table and my wish is that through the creation of the new partnership board, will encourage more of our people to stand for council seats in the next elections.

RAINA MEHA RANGITAUIRA - Te Arawa iwi and hapu

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

Initially an establishment phase to set up systems and processes, clarify roles and responsibilities. The three year term will go quickly and we can be a conduit between iwi/hapu and the council. However the autonomy of iwi/hapu is paramount and a given, in their interaction with council.

What qualities do you bring?

Integrity, accountability and transparency are key qualities I bring to the board. I have skills and experience in government policy, resource management and iwi/hapu governance. My personal and professional networks will also come in handy. I am actively involved in Tapuaeharuru Marae at Rotoiti and was proud to coauthor our hapu environmental management plan.

POTAUA BIASINY-TULE - Te Arawa iwi and hapu

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

Kotahitanga. This process was a remarkable demonstration of tribal hapu whanau unity and in the past, councils have used division as a means to disempower and disengage Maori. This small step of unity is a major source of hope for is today and for future generations.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

I love our iwi and the lands and waters we are blessed with. My whakapapa connects me to every member of our tribe so we can talk freely, be direct and mahi together when required. I do the homework. Plus I'm cheeky. Yes definitely cheeky.

NGAROMA (MALA) GRANT - Te Arawa iwi and hapu

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

Everything that happens in Rotorua affects our Maori population and the time for us to have a positive and innovative role in the development of our city is here. What a privilege it is to be a part of building a nation that looks forward to the future with all our partners.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

For the last five years my role has been to coordinate the work of the seven partner organisations in the Te Arawa Whanau Ora collective. We support families to set goals for their own futures and to make changes for themselves, their wider family and communities. The power of whanau has been inspiring when changes are made and a vision for a new future has been created by them. While strategic development is a critical part of planning, this must connect to the aspirations and needs of the people who make up the community-especially rangatahi.

TE TARU WHITE - Te Arawa iwi and hapu

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

I would like the board to exercise a process of genuine partnership and respect where our partnership results in mutually beneficial values for the community as a whole.

What qualities do you bring?

I have grey hair and a few wrinkles and each represent learnings and life experience. As well as life experience I bring a raft of academic qualifications and experience in economic development, cultural development, scientific experience and significant governance experience and policy development experience.

GINA MOHI - Te Arawa iwi and hapu

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

A greater understanding of both council and Te Arawa/tangata whenua expectations and aspirations, improved processes based on an understanding of one another's priorities, expectations, and available resources, more efficient and effective use of council and tangata whenua resources and supporting Te Arawa expectations and aspirations in order to promote the well-being of tangata whenua and the wider community.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

I have worked in the field of resource management and environmental planning for over 12 years, specialising in Maori resource management issues. I hold a Master of Science degree and am a certified Independent RMA Hearing Commissioner.

EUGENE BERRYMAN KAMP - Pan Te Arawa entities

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

Set the foundation so that the partnership between Te Arawa and Rotorua Lakes Council flourishes positively and proactively, engaging all the people of Rotorua. Board processes, council committee representation and communication with the Te Arawa constituency, has to be established and council relationships need to be built strongly, for future mutual benefit.

What qualities do you bring to the board?

As a professional director I have governance experience at local, regional and national levels, corporate management experience in sales, marketing, market research and chief executive level leadership. Finally I am familiar with local and regional council processes at a governance level and hope to represent Te Arawa with integrity and commitment.

TE WHETU O TE RANGI (FRED) WHATA - Koeke

What is the main thing you would like the board to achieve during your term?

It won't be until we set ourselves up that we'll see the issues. I want to wait until we've set up and heard from the people first.

What qualities do you bring?

Experience. Skills. Over the years I've been involved with trustees and local bodies, that's what I want to take forward. To me that is the most important part- experience-and that I know how to talk to the other parties.

- Remaining board members Aerial Keil, Ngahuia Hona-Paku and Te Mauri Kingi did not respond.