In regards to the article “Anger over decision to exclude community from red zone committee” The Press.

 

I am a little surprised to see the make-up of the committee given a model already exists for a similar project and has done so since the Ngai Tahu (Tutaepatu Lagoon Vesting Act) 1998.

Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust manages the Tūhaitara Coastal Park which runs along the coast between the Waimakariri and Ashley Rakahuri River mouths.

The Trust is governed by six Trustees, three representing Mana Whenua (Ngāi Tūāhuriri) and three representing the wider community.

The original Trust included the then Upokorunanga of Ngāi Tūāhuriri and Ngāi Tahu paramount Chief, coincidentally Dr Te Maire Tau’s father, Henare Rakiihia Tau with two other significant Rūnanga members, alongside the Waimakariri Mayor, a ‘local’ councillor and a community representative.

This Trustee membership has over the years, including the 13 years where I was general manager of the Trust, developed to a three Trustees representing Mana Whenua and three including a Waimakariri District Councillor and two community members representing the wider community interests. The Community members bringing a different range of knowledge and skills or technical expertise than the ‘politicians’.

I believe that the addition of community representation at the governance level has greatly contributed to the success of Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust along with community buy into the rehabilitation of Tūhaitara Coastal Park, and think those Councillors who voted to the contrary have done a dis-service to the project and array of public members who have been heavily invested to date.

 

Greg Byrnes