Ngā mihi nui to everyone who joined us for our Hui-ā-Hapū on Saturday 19 September, and to those who joined our online hui on Tuesday 22 September.

Across the two hui, we have heard from whānau about the proposed changes to our Trust Deed, the future sustainability and priorities of Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust, and the rebuild of Tāngoio Marae.

Thank you to everyone who has shared pātai, whakaaro and challenges with us. There has been a lot of kōrero, and it is helping inform the next steps and longer-term direction of the Trust.

Trust Deed Review | What we heard from whānau

Across both hui we worked through the proposed changes to the Trust Deed and heard a wide range of whakaaro from whānau.

Whānau expressed support for some of the directions proposed, while also identifying areas they want Trustees to consider further.

These included:

Protecting our whenua and taonga

Whānau asked whether stronger protections are needed for significant whenua and property, who determines what is taonga, and how important decisions about whenua and assets should involve whānau. There was also whakaaro that the value of settlement whenua is not only financial, it carries whakapapa, history and significance to us as mana whenua. The kōrero reinforced the importance of protecting what belongs to the hapū and ensuring the decisions we make today continue to benefit future generations.

Ensuring the Deed reflects who we are

Whānau asked how our mātāpono, mana whenua, taiao, mātauranga and kaitiakitanga are reflected in the Deed, and challenged us to ensure the Deed reflects who we are as Maungaharuru-Tangitū and the values and tikanga that should guide us.

There was also support for recognising the important role of kaumātua, pūkenga and whakapapa knowledge, alongside whakaaro about succession and ensuring this mātauranga continues across generations.

Whānau participation and visibility

Whānau raised the importance of kanohi kitea and Trustee accountability, including what being present and connected to whānau and hapū kaupapa should look like in practice. There were also questions about how whānau participate in decision-making, how the proposed Kāhui and committees would work, and how their membership would be determined.

Governance, accountability and succession

Whānau shared whakaaro about Trustee decision-making, quorum, attendance and accountability, as well as leadership succession and how whānau voice is reflected within governance. There was support for clearer roles between governance and management, while ensuring Trustees remain accountable to whānau.

More time to wānanga

At the Hui-ā-Hapū, whānau asked for more time to consider the proposals and wānanga with their whānau. We heard that, and feedback will now remain open until 5.00pm Friday 2 October 2026.

The online hui provided another opportunity to work through the proposed changes and share whakaaro. Trustees will consider all feedback received before deciding which proposed changes, if any, proceed to the formal whānau vote.

Our financial journey | Strengthening Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust for the future

We also shared the financial journey of Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust – from settlement through to where we are today.

Our asset base has grown substantially. We have also built greater capability and taken on considerably more mahi, particularly when our hapū needed us through Cyclone Gabrielle, housing and whānau support, Tāngoio Marae, taiao and advocacy.

External funding helped make much of that possible.

But that funding is reducing.

So, the question in front of us is:

How do we ensure Maungaharuru-Tangitū remains strong and sustainable for current and future generations?

This isn’t simply about cutting to a number. It starts with understanding the mahi we need to do and what we need to deliver it. It is also about strengthening our own sustainable income and financial independence over time, so we have greater ability to determine and pursue our own priorities rather than being reliant on changing external funding environments.

No final decisions have been made.

What we heard from whānau

At the Hui-ā-Hapū, we asked whānau three questions about what matters most for the future of Maungaharuru-Tangitū.

What must Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust always protect and do?

Whānau spoke strongly about protecting:

Whenua. Wai. Taiao. Whakapapa. Mātauranga. Tikanga. Kōrero tuku iho. Taonga.

To protect the interests and assets of the hapū, maintain connection to our whenua and wāhi taonga, uphold our aspirations and continue advocating for Maungaharuru-Tangitū.

Where should Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust make the most difference?

The kōrero centred strongly on our people.

Supporting kaumātua, rangatahi and mokopuna. Creating education, training, mentoring and mahi pathways. Holding wānanga. Strengthening reo, whakapapa and tikanga. Drawing on the skills already within our hapū. Improving communication and engagement with whānau.

There was also kōrero about creating economic opportunities, strengthening relationships and partnerships, and becoming increasingly self-sustaining so our ability to act isn’t determined by changing funding or political environments.

What do we need to leave stronger for our mokopuna?

The answer wasn’t just money.

Whānau talked about succession, leadership, whakapapa, mātauranga, healthy whenua and wai, capable people, strong foundations, with a clear aspiration that their mokopuna inherit a living and lasting relationship with the whenua and opportunities to carry that connection forward.

The consistent message was to think long term – and make decisions now that leave Maungaharuru-Tangitū stronger for those who follow us.

Tāngoio Marae | The mahi is moving forward

Across the two hui we also shared progress on the rebuild of Tāngoio Marae, from the new marae platform and access road through to developed design, infrastructure, restoration of taonga and the pathway towards construction.

But the kōrero wasn’t only about buildings.

Whānau also talked about ensuring we grow the people, tikanga, mātauranga and capability that will bring our marae to life and sustain it for generations. There was also whakaaro about greater visibility of how whānau aspirations are being reflected in the design, opportunities for whānau involvement, and sharing the whakapapa and kōrero represented within the marae as the rebuild progresses.

Where are we at now?

For the Trust Deed Review, feedback remains open until 5.00pm Friday 2 October so whānau have more time to wānanga. Trustees will then consider the feedback before deciding which proposed changes, if any, proceed to a formal whānau vote.

For the sustainability kaupapa, we are still testing the direction. No final decisions have been made.

The feedback from the Hui-ā-Hapū, together with further whakaaro from whānau, will help Trustees work through what Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust must retain and continue to do, where we can make the greatest difference, and what we need to leave stronger for future generations.

And we want to keep hearing from you.

He aha ō whakaaro?

Whether you joined us at the Hui-ā-Hapū, the online hui, both or neither, we still want to hear your whakaaro.

What must Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust always protect and do?
Where do you most want Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust to make a difference?
What do we need to leave stronger for our mokopuna?
Kōrero mai | Share your whakaaro

Trust Deed feedback closes 5.00pm, Friday 2 October 2026.