TE RAWHITI MARAE 439 TRUST (MARAE RESERVE) TE RAWHITI
YOU CAN PLAY A PART
KNOW US
NGA MAHI O TE MARAE / HOW THE MARAE WORKS
Ngati Kuta and Patukeha appoint kaitiaki to manage and administer the affairs of the Marae.
Each hapu elects four trustees to make up a unit of eight. The Te Rawhiti Marae Trustees are :
Ngati Kuta Kaitiaki Patukeha Kaitiaki
Mr Robson Erceg Mr Te Ringa Witehira (Chair)
Mr Francis Hepi Mr Joseph Bristowe
Mrs Helen Mountain Harte (Secretary) Mr Richard Witehira
Ms Deborah Peacock (Treasurer)
The Trustees are the kaitiaki of the Marae complex and everything which affects it. Their
primary role is to care for the Marae as a ’taonga tuku iho’, a treasure handed down, for the
tupuna, for the community and for the future. They are registered in the Maori Land Court.
The Trust is bound by a Charter, ‘Te Tutohinga o Te Rawhiti Marae’ formed by the Hapu in
which is the tikanga or tribal law specific to Te Rawhiti, and the legal requirements as a 439
Trust under the Trustees Act, 1956; as a Reserve under the Reservations Act,1993,1994,1995;as
a Maori Reservation on Maori land under the Turewhenua Act,1993; and follows rules under the
Administration Act,1963.
Trustee Areas of Responsibility for Marae Maintenance
At present, the roles and responsibilities of Marae Trustees are akin to the governance role of a
legal entity. The designated positions of the Marae Trust are determined by the Trustees as
outlined:
¾ The Trustees select their own executive.
¾ In practice, the Trustees manage and do the actual work in each portfolio. They are
working Trustees, where governance, management and operations combine in each
portfolio.
¾ They allocate overall management responsibility and accountability on a portfolio basis
in order to ensure the effective and efficient management of each area of the Marae as
follows:
Position: Chairperson - Portfolio Responsibility
Taumata (the Orator’s bench); Asset Management (includes Maintenance, Monitoring and
Asset Register, assisting with bookings, kitchen supervision) Asset Manager-M Witehira
Knowledge of Rules pertaining to the Marae; General supervision of Marae
Position: Treasurer – Portfolio Responsibility
Finances; Bookings; Resource Centre Administration
Position: Secretary – Portfolio Responsibility
Record keeping; Website Management; The Monitoring of the Maintenance of the Charter;
The Monitoring of the Strategic Plan
Other key Portfolio Positions
These are delegated within the Trustee membership for the following areas:
Maintenance of Buildings: Main Building, Resource Centre Building, Mahi Toi Building (future
plan), Caretaker’s Cottage (future plan);
Maintenance of grounds; Water pump/pipes/tank Monitoring; Maintenance of Whakaruruhau and
Artworks; Health & Safety Procedures & Monitoring
There are also a number of sub-committees established to support, implement and administer
Marae based functions and activities. They include the following:
Te Komiti Wahine
This committee are made up of women who both cater for and maintain the wharekai and
wharehui for the Marae.
Te Rawhiti Marae Development Committee
This is a sub-committee of the Marae Trust, of some 10 members with a 3-person working party
(Chairperson: Marara Te Tai Hook, Secretary: Helen Mountain Harte, Co-ordinator: Maria
Mavoa) which has been established to oversee the Te Rawhiti Marae Renovation and Extension
Project. It has its own bank account and Accountant who is Treasurer. It reports to the
Trustees. In accordance with the MOU, one of its members is a Marae Trustee.
Te Rawhiti Toi Maori Roopu
This group is a gathering of artists and interested people who will design and plan the
decoration of the Marae. It has its own budget granted from Waka Toi.
Te Rawhiti Marae Resource Centre
The administration and use of the Centre is to be established. The facility is available to the
community through the Trust.
Te Rawhiti Marae Archive Committee
The Archive administration is to be established. It will hold the written material, taonga and
electronic data of Te Rawhiti.
Te Rawhiti Marae Strategic Plan
This Plan was formed by the Hapu to forge a path forward keeping the Marae as a platform to
unite people, to inspire people and to bring them together to assist them to determine their
lives productively. It sees the Marae as central to future developments culturally, socially,
educationally, environmentally and economically.
WHAT THE MARAE IS PART OF
Environmental conservation through:
Nga hapu sharing the island restoration goals of the incorporated society, the Guardians of the
Bay of Islands with DOC, and the private landowners on the islands
Nga hapu caring for the management of the resources in the district under the RMA-working
with DOC, NRC, HPT, AANZ, FNDC other tangata whenua and land owners
Nga hapu enhancing the fisheries in the Bay using their unique and innovative Plan based on
conservation and traditional methods by collaborating with MoF, Recreational fishers,
Commercial fishers, Tourism operators, and other tangata whenua. It is to be submitted for
Consent this year.
Nga hapu being part of the Hapu/Iwi Technicians and Local government authorities under the
Far North District Council, Te Waka Motuhake group discussing regulations and how they affect
iwi
Economic ventures:
Nga hapu have two Employment contract units which apply for contracts for locals
Nga hapu are partners in a joint venture in the Canterbury Charitable Trust which owns the ex-
Frigate “Canterbury”. The frigate is to be handed over in February, 2007 from the Navy. Some
local employment opportunities are envisaged from this venture.
Nga hapu have a Charitable Trust, Iwi Whakatupu, which runs the shop on Urupukapuka Island
at Otehei Bay called Otehei Mahi Toi. It encourages local artists to sell their craft by providing
a market.
There are fisheries ventures arising from the unique and innovative fisheries plans approved by
MoF
Conservation employment opportunities are, and will be, available for appropriately qualified
locals.
Many social and educational projects have been held and are planned on the Marae.
THESE ARE GREAT REASONS TO SUPPORT TE RAWHITI
MARAE
AND PLAY A PART IN IT
WEBSITE: www.terawhitimarae.maori.nz
CONTACT: Helen Mountain Harte
4 Cheverton Place
Kohimarama
Auckland 1071
Ph:095211837 Fax: 095211835 Mobile:02175 5553
[email protected] See TE IHI TOHORAA PEPA for donation opportunities January 6, 2007
