What is the Trust Deed Review?
The Trust Deed for the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, guides how our iwi is governed, how decisions are made, and how our resources and interests are protected. Over time, people, priorities, and the world around us change.
A review of the Trust Deed gives us the chance to pause, reflect, and shape a governance model—our waka—that reflects who we are and what we want for our mokopuna.
Your input is important and will help shape these changes. We will provide all the information and support you need to understand the process, give feedback and make informed recommendations.
Why do we need to do this now?
The Deed is meant to be reviewed every five years, and the last review was in 2017. Competing priorities and the growth of our entities, meant it was delayed. In addition, the Maori Fisheries Act amendments come into force on 26 July 2026 and require some administrative changes for all Mandated Iwi Organisations (MIOs) across Aotearoa.
Our Rongowhakaata Group- Turanga Group Holdings Limited, the Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust, the Rongowhakaata Settlement Trust, Rongowhaakaata Iwi Asset Holding Company, the Kahui Kaumatua and our Executive Committees- has grown in capability and complexity.
Now is the right time to complete the review and support how we advance our long-term goals.
What has changed since the last review?
The 2017 review made several improvements and highlighted that while the Deed sets the fixed rules, the detailed guidance should sit in supporting policies. This helps us stay flexible and not be locked into one way of doing things.
Changes included:
· Moving to a mixed representation model of marae and iwi-wide representation
· Bringing in new trust policies and a Code of Conduct
· Setting clear processes for removing, suspending, or supporting unwell trustees
· Strengthening how disputes are handled
· Allowing greater flexibility in the operations of the Kāhui Kaumātua
· Updating how we communicate and give notices
· Allowing trustees to make small changes when needed.
· Updating spelling, macrons, plain English, formatting, and cross-referencing
· Giving more flexibility for the timing of the AGM.
When will the review be undertaken?
The review is planned for 2026, leading up to a Special General Meeting in June 2026, where any amendments will be voted on.
Your input is important and will help shape these changes. We will provide all the information and support you need to understand the process, give feedback and make informed recommendations.
What kinds of changes could be recommended?
Any changes need to strike a balance. Some might be better handled through supporting policies rather than changing the Deed itself.
At the same time, we want the Deed to reflect our focus on mātauranga, our values and the systems that support them- systems that are rooted in our tikanga and ways of being. This is about rethinking the Deed, our waka and what truly matters to us as a people.
We have talked about possible changes such as:
· Hapū Representation
· Election processes, including limiting voting to just one Marae
· Trustee responsibilities and reporting requirements
· How our entities relate to one another
· Provisions that reflect our matauranga, values and goals
· Increasing our reviews to every two years
