April 07, 2015
Sir Harawira Gardiner picked for spectrum trust revival
Te Huarahi Tika Trust will be hoping it can hold on to its new trustees as it looks to find an effective role in the new spectrum landscape.
An electoral college has appointed former Te Puni Kokiri head Sir Harawira Gardiner and accountants Riria (Missy) Te Kanawa and George Reedy to the trust, which holds a stake in mobile phone company Two Degrees through its Hautaki subsidiary.
Last time it appointed trustees, two of them, former MP John Tamihere and digital entrepreneur Ian Taylor, quit almost immediately because of concerns over governance and reporting.
Trust chair Daphne Luke says the new trustees will bring a mix of solid leadership, sound financial, investment and international business experience as well as new energy and creativity.
Te Huarahi Tika was formed by the Crown in 2000 as a vehicle for Maori to buy a block the third generation spectrum needed for mobile networks, after claimants challenged the sale.
However, it was sidelined when 4G spectrum for the next generation of mobile data networks was auctioned in 2013.
Instead the government created a $30 million fund for Maori digital innovation which is being administered through Te Mangai Paho, the Maori broadcast funding agency.
The trust has also moved to resolve a longstanding dispute with other Maori shareholders about how their interests in Two Degrees were being represented.
Steve Murray from central North Island land trust Tuaropaki, which owns more than 18 million Two Degrees shares, was appointed to one of Hautaki’s two seats on the Two Degrees board, alongside Hautaki chair Mavis Mullins.
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