Earlier this year, the Wairoa District Council gave its unanimous support for the establishment of a Statutory Reserves Board, known as Matangirau.

The Reserves Board forms part of the treaty settlement that has been negotiated with the Crown. The Board will be established to initially manage five reserves (two Crown and three Council-owned reserves) in and around the Wairoa River mouth.

The Board will have representatives from the newly established Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust (3) and the Wairoa District Council (3).

Developing a durable working relationship between the new Trust and the Wairoa District Council is important to the future development of our whole community says Mayor Craig Little.

“I understand that interim trustees have now been elected for the new Trust and I want to congratulate all those who stood and who were successful in becoming trustees.”

“We all know there is a compelling case for better relationships and that strong partnerships are created through mutual respect, input and responsibility and we look forward to working with the new trustees.”

“In giving Council’s support for the establishment of the Reserves Board, we also considered the need to consult with our community on this important matter.”

“Rather than duplicate the process, which could be quite costly to our ratepayers, we will be encouraging our community to get involved in the Parliamentary Select Committee process.”

“Once legislation to give effect to the settlement has been introduced to Parliament, it will be referred to a Select Committee. Anyone who wishes to present their opinions, observations, and recommendations on this matter is able to make a submission to the Select Committee and we will be encouraging our ratepayers and community to take full advantage of this process.”

“To be clear, public consultation will still occur and this will be done through the Select Committee process,” says Mr Little.

“We’ve been involved right from the very start with developing this proposal. What is also important is that we were not obligated to participate, but I think these discussions demonstrate that the Wairoa District Council is serious about a genuine relationship going into the future.”

“I have always said that we need to have productive working relationships with key organisations within the community, including the newly established Trust, but it is important to always remember, that when it comes to ratepayer funds, the final decision will always remain with Council in all instances.”

“We have made a commitment to keeping our community up-to-date about what is happening and we will also promote the Crown’s statutory consultation process that will take place and how our community can be part of this," says Mr Little.

The signing of the Deed of Settlement between the Crown, Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa Trust and other parties including the Wairoa District Council will take place on the 26th of November at Takitimu Marae.

Ends

For more information:

Kitea Tipuna
Communications Strategist
Wairoa District Council
(06) 838 7309

31 October 2018

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