November 13, 2012
Ngā Rauru meets with ministers in paepae rangatira
South Taranaki iwi Ngā Rauru hopes for progress on getting the former Waverley High School after a meeting with ministers last week.
The paepae rangatira is supposed to be an annual catch-up on progress since the 2005 Treaty of Waitangi settlement, but the tribe's tumuwhakarae, Turama Hawira, says some years have been missed.
He says Ministers Chris Finlayson, Pita Sharples and Tariana Turia were surprised that the transfer of the school had stalled, and ordered action.
Mr Hawira says the regular catch-up is a way to build relationships with government agencies and ensure the small iwi isn’t forgotten by its treaty partner.
He says it has allowed it to develop good links with the Ministry of the Environment and the Department of Conservation, and also to get insulation in to 240 Nga Rauru homes.
Turama Hawira says future plans include a cultural festival to encourage Ngā Rauru to come back home, and using the school site for training and tribal businesses.
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