About the Trust

Vision

"Kia tu motuhake a Te Arawa i roto i te whakakotahitanga ma te urupu me te whakatutuki o o tatau tikanga"

"Te Arawa to be unified and independent based on a strong understanding and practice of their tikanga"

Mission Statement

"Utilisation and management of the assets and resources to provide cultural social environmental and economic sustainability for Te Arawa"

Objectives

Immediate:

The successful establishment of the Te Arawa Lakes Trust
The successful establishment of Te Arawa Management Limited

Medium and Long Term:

The retention and development of Te Arawa assets and resources
The formal review of the Lakes Trust and its operations
Astute and appropriate management of business and social provisions
The promotion amongst Te Arawa of the educational, spiritual, economic, social and cultural advancement or well being of Te Arawa and its whanau
The maintenance and establishment of places of cultural or spiritual significance to Te Arawa
The promotion amongst Te Arawa of mental health and well being of the aged or those suffering from mental or physical sickness or disability
Any other purpose that is beneficial to Te Arawa

What we do

Te Arawa is one of seven Maori Tribes (indigenous peoples) of New Zealand. The area traditionally covered reaches from a small village named Maketu on the eastern seaboard to Tongariro mountain in the central North Island.

The Te Arawa Maori Trust Board was established in 1924, pursuant to Section 27 of the Native Land Amendment Act and the Native Land Claims Adjustment Act 1922, and now operates under the Maori Trust Board’s Act 1955.

Fifteen hapu were represented on the Board as well as one seat allocated for soldiers, totaling 19 representatives. Initial membership of the Board was based on ownership of the 14 Te Arawa lakes, which surround the Rotorua district, and remained the structure of the Board. The Board’s statutory role was to administer an annual payment of $18,000 from the Crown, for the public use of the lakes.

On 18 December 2004, the Crown and Te Arawa signed a Deed of Settlement for Te Arawa Historical Claims and Remaining Annuity Issues over 14 lakes; Lakes Rotoehu, Rotomä, Rotoiti/Te Roto- Whaiti-i-kite-ai-a-Ihenga-i-Ariki- ai- a Kahumatamomoe, Rotorua / Rotorua-nui-a Kahumatamomoe , Ökataina / Te Moana i kataina a Te Rangitakaroro, Ökareka, Rerewhakaaitu, Tarawera, Rotomahana, Tikitapu, Ngähewa, Tutaeinanga, Ngäpouri/Opouri and Ökaro/Ngakaro.

The settlement is made up of a Redress package consisting of the following:

the acknowledgements and the apology given by the Crown to Te Arawa,
the Cultural Redress recognizing Te Arawa traditional, historical, cultural and spiritual association with the lakes covered in the settlement, including the transfer of 13 lakebeds; guaranteed and
the Financial Redress; and
the Annuity Redress;

PUBLIC ACCESS AND USE OF THE LAKES

Public access for recreational purposes, rights of navigation, existing structures and existing types of commercial activates are protected however individuals or businesses that wish to build new structures or modify existing structures on the lakebeds will need the consent of both Te Arawa and the Crown (Land Information New Zealand). Te Arawa and Land Information New Zealand will jointly consider applications.

Titles to 13 lakebeds have been vested in Te Arawa (Okaro remains vested in the Rotorua District Council).

ROTORUA LAKES STRATEGY GROUP

The Rotorua Lakes Strategy Group is made up of two representatives from each of the following bodies: Te Arawa Lakes Trust (formerly Te Arawa Maori Trust Board) Rotorua District Council and Environment Bay of Plenty and to be a joint committee under the Local Government Act 2002. Legislation provides for the groups permanence and Te Arawa membership as of right and the groups purpose which is to promote the sustainable management of the Te Arawa/Rotorua Lakes and their catchments for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations, while recognizing and providing for the traditional relationship of Te Arawa with the lakes.

TE ARAWA LAKES TRUST (formerly Te Arawa Maori Trust Board)

The Te Arawa Lakes Trust (formerly Te Arawa Maori Trust Board) is the new governance entity to receive and manage the redress on behalf of Te Arawa in which the benefits of the settlement will be available to all registered members of Te Arawa, wherever they live. The Chairman of the Te Arawa Lakes Trust is Toby Curtis.

Operations

The Trust currently consists of two separate operational arms; the central administration and the education and training unit. The central administration supports and manages the Trust and their social responsibilities and the training unit is a semi autonomous entity that provides and delivers training and education to a maximum of thirty-five rangatahi under contract to the Tertiary Education Commission. The administration arm has seven staff including the chief executive officer and the training unit has three staff including the manager.