December 07, 2015
New captain for turbulent times
Getting trustees who are more responsive to iwi is the aim of the electoral college that picks the members of Te Ohu Kaimoana.
Te Kawai Taumata chose not to reappoint sitting chair Matiu Rei, which means the Maori fisheries settlement trust must choose another of its members to steer the waka through a period of major restructuring.
Taumata chair Mark Ngata says in the statutory review of settlement structures, iwi have voted for more direct control of assets like the largest Maori fishing company, Aotearoa Fisheries, and Sealord which is has a half share in.
"Those decisions means the mahi of Te Ohu Kaimoana needs to change because they will no longer be responsible for effectively managing these assets," he says.
Mark Ngata says the board and management of Te Ohu Kaimoana will table the proposed new structure at its annual meeting next March for iwi to vote on, including their view of what the trust should do in future and how it will be funded.
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