February 06, 2013
Te Hiku tribes get social development deal
The Crown has signed a social development accord with three far north tribes as part of their treaty settlements.
Haami Piripi from Te Rarawa, the chair of Te Hiku Development Trust, says the accord covers Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngai Takoto.
Ngati Kuri is expected to join soon, and it is also hoped Ngati Kahu will eventually come on board.
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett said the accord commits the Crown and government agencies to work with Te Hiku to improve social outcomes for the iwi hapū and whanau.
Her ministry is the responsible agency for implementing the accord, which covers 10 Government agencies.
They will work with Te Hiku to write a social development and wellbeing report which will identify key trends and areas where intervention is a priority.
This report will be updated every five years.
Ms Bennett says the Government wants to see improvements in educational achievement, workforce participation and employment, as well as dramatically improve housing and stimulate economic development in the Far North.
Mr Piripi says the report will provide the analytical framework needed to respond effectively.
He says it will help both iwi and agencies understand where the money is being spent and how effective it is.
He says by working together, Te Hiku iwi are able to share administration costs and avoid duplication of effort in areas where their interests and populations overlap.
Mr Piripi says about 300 people from Te Hiku iwi were on hand in Waitangi yesterday to witness the accord being signed by Prime Minister John Key and other ministers.