June 02, 2017
Papers initialed for arts institute transfer
Members of Ngati Whakaue and Wahiao-Tuhourangi will get a chance to vote on a plan to give them ownership of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua.
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell and the Whakarewarewa Joint Trust this week initialled a vesting agreement to set the process in motion.
The land on which the institutes operates – the Whakarewarewa Thermal Springs Reserve and Southern Arikikapakapa Reserve -m was returned to iwi in 2009.
Mr Flavell says the vesting will complete the process of recognising the significant cultural, traditional, historical and spiritual association of the iwi with the area and Te Puia.
The agreement includes provisions to ensure the institutes will continue to train the next generation of carvers, weavers and sculptors on a pan-iwi basis.
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