Ngai Tahu Shareholders

Along with other recipients I received this in the email today from Rana Edgarton. What a pleasure it was to read. Good, sound, down to earth stuff. Interesting to see that reps from Awarua, Hokonui and Waewae ( Maria Pera, Terry Nicholas and Lisa Tumahai respectively) walked out. The three of them have been a major cause of recent tribal troubles.

"Tena koe whanau

For the last week I have been listening too and reading about Ngai Tahu and its dirty laundry being aired for all to see, yet again. 

The Press came out with front page news that Ngai Tahu was at war with itself and stated that it was all about the vote to replace Wally Stone.  The Press wrote that it was 11 to 7, first untrue comment.  Two people opposed the vote – Charlie and Gary, 2 abstained from the vote – Gerry and James, 3 people walked out of the meeting and went directly to the papers – those being TRONT member's from Awarua, Hokonui and Waewae.  Our TRONT members do not suddenly make their minds up over night and decide "bugger it, we will sack Wally today, that should be fun", no way, eleven of the Board obviously had very good reasons to do so and I trust their judgement.

Question: Why did the 3 walk out?  Was it because they couldn't get their own way and is that the actions of responsible delegates that are there to put our view forward?  Perhaps its time that they stood down so iwi members that actually care about our assets and resources and what is best for all of us sat in those seats, Iwi members that are willing to sit at the table and discuss the reasons behind decisions and if there is a large percentage that have seen it wise to vote in a particular way, then that vote should be it, the delegates that don't agree with the vote can have it placed on record, their disagreement about the issue and then let it go so decisions on other topics can be discussed.  These people are paid to sit on the Board and I for one believe that they need to earn that renumeration and walking out of meetings and speaking to the Press is just plain unacceptable.  I read the paper every day and I do not see other successful companies airing their laundry, so why do we as an iwi allow ours to do so. 

Question: " do TRONT members sign a confidentiality clause when becoming a board member and if they do, why aren't they pulled up  for breaking confidentiality, I would think the Court's would be the best place to settle that issue".

Eleven attempts have been made to get Wally Stone to front up to the TRONT board with the strategic direction of the Ngai Tahu Holdings Corp, has this been achieved?  NO, it has not.  The report was due on the 25th Feb, so why was Wally Stone talking about the strategic direction of the fishing company in the Press and in public generally prior to the 25th Feb and prior to talking to the TRONT Board?  He had an obligation to discuss any issue he had with the strategic direction of the Holdings Corp with the Board first.

The House of Tahu – this topic really has been thrashed about in the papers.  If people would like to have a look at back issues of our magazine or speak to their Runanga delegates they would be aware that it has always been said that this building would only happen if the economy was stable and was only ever agreed too, in principle. 

Tahu Potiki stated in his column that decisions have been made with out communication to local runanga, obviously the delegates are not doing their job then, replace them but don't blame all of the TRONT board for some delegate's lack of communication.  He also mentions that we should be looking at the Harvard University "American Indian Economic Development Project", I wonder if this is wise considering that the same country has placed the world into a recession, perhaps they should have taken a better look at themselves.  Do we really want to follow the evidence that this study has shown and is it empirical evidence, I think not. 

If we take away the TRONT Board and separate the political arm  from the commerical arm, where and how do we, the iwi – get to have our say, after all its our asset. 

 I trust my delegate to do the best for us all, my delegate reports back to the Runanga on a regular basis and will answer any questions that are posed, I have faith.  What about everyone else?  Are you all satisfied that we as an Iwi are constantly in the Press, airing all the fighting and has it occurred to others that it always seems to be the same people that are talking to the Press and are always walking out??

I would love to hear from anyone and see what you have to write, I am proud of who I am, I am Ngai Tahu and what happens within our iwi should stay within our Iwi. "

Rana Edgarton