Maori Engagement StrategyTūhono mai tūhono ātu

Maori Engagement Strategy - Tūhono mai tūhono ātu

Central Hawke's Bay District Council adopted the Maori engagement strategy in September 2020. The document plays a significant role in acknowledging Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership obligations and ensures that as a local authority we continue to consider and promote the current and future opportunities for Māori wellbeing.  Dr Roger Maaka Kaiarahi Matua promotes the document as a “significant symbol of Treaty partnership” and that it “covers all bases, representing an entire attitude for council”.

The ongoing commitment to bi-cultural development saw the appointment of Pam Kupa, in the role of Pou Whātuia in November 2020.  The initial key priorities for this role has been establishing a realistic work and action plan that is based on the four priorities of the strategy:

1. Whiriwhiria / Council-iwi relationships

2. Tikanga / Language, culture and place

3. Oranga / People and prosperity

4. Rauemi / Infrastructure and resources

As well as the development of work and action plans in the initial phase the work has involved

1. Relationship building with hapu & iwi
2. District Plan consultation with marae and hapu
3. Implementing a programme of cultural learning into the council taking into account the results from cultural capacity surveys
4. Developing a communication plan
5. Provide support for Te Taiwhenua o Tamatea and council projects

The need for a reciprocal Maori Strategy from Marae has been requested which will involve further discussion and will play an integral in ongoing collaboration to improve community outcomes. 

The Tohu 

The Tohu is an interpretation of Tamatea’s concept of equality and partnership according to Te tiriti o Waitangi, the Te Reo Māori version of the Treaty.  As a regulatory authority we welcome responsibility to work with iwi Māori to give effect to and realise the promise of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We realise that achieving this will require time, flexibility and the ability to self-reflect. Our success will be shaped by our ability and capacity to form a range of relationships with iwi and Māori in our rohe.

The two strong Pou upholds the treaty scroll the founding document for partnership between these two entities, ngā marae me ngā hāpu o Tamatea and Central Hawkes Bay District Council on behalf of the Crown.

The Pou stand of equal height width and parameter representing the connections and conversations having an equal right into decision making as reflected in our Māori decision making Policy.

The Waharoa is the entranceway to enter into strong partnerships that determine the ongoing strengthening of relationships and equality for Māori in decision making.

 A way forward for the future for Tamatea.  Enhancing “The Tamatea way” of doing things, so that our Community will thrive.

E ora ngātahi ana!  Together we thrive!

Click here to read our Māori Engagement Strategy - Tūhono mai tūhono ātu