Where we are at
On the 7th of October, Te Whakakitenga o Waikato agreed to release for consultation and engagement, Ngaa Taunaki o Kaapuia Review proposed options and recommendations of the Kaapuia Structural Review Committee.
The recommendations below will be explored and further engagement with marae, whaanau, hapuu and kaimahi will begin.
We want to hear your thoughts and perspectives on Ngaa Taunaki o Kaapuia and encourage you to have your say. Your voice is crucial in making sure the tribal structure continues to serve our marae, whaanau and hapuu well.
This is an important step in our change journey to make sure we are best set up to support marae, whaanau and hapuu - now and in the future.
The mana and mauri of Te Awa o Waikato has always been an indicator of the place and wellbeing of our people. Our awa guides our approach to our recommended change journey.
To create long-lasting change, there are three parts to the change process. We use our river here again to talk about these parts.
01
Ngaa Taiheke | Rapids
Structural Model Changes
The upstream shallower waters of the river, where water is channelled over rocks and boulders, churns and moves rapidly – this represents our governance structure.
02
Te ia o te awa | Currents
Group operational changes
Where our river and its tributaries combine and form the main current and flow of the river – this represents the way we operate and work together.
03
Te Wahapuu | River Mouth
Investing in the ecosystem
This represents the downstream effects of what we are trying to achieve and enable for our marae, whaanau and hapuu.
a.
Stay the
path
b.
Investing in the ecosystem
Ngaa Taiheke
The Kaapuia recommendations focus on Ngaa Taiheke, and the proposed changes to the governance and specific operational aspects of our structure as the top part of the river. We all know this part of the river effects all other parts of the river. We believe it was important to start and focus here.
The following recommendations of the Kaapuia Komiti have been put forward to Te Whakakitenga o Waikato for consideration.
Te Whakakitenga o Waikato
Recommended governance changes
1. Reduce the number of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato representatives from each marae to two with no alternate; (now withdrawn as a result of engagement feedback)
2. Increase Te Whakakitenga o Waikato term of appointment from three years to four years;
These recommendations:
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are consistent with recommendations from previous reviews (e.g. Governance review of 2014-2015);
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uphold our commitment to marae-level succession planning, allowing marae representatives to pair or team up;
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ensure greater consistency in tribal governance and fosters stability;
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encourage quality decision-making to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of tribal governance;
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enable long-term planning, with fewer elections and appointments over time;
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retain ‘institutional memory’ throughout election cycles, maintaining expertise and experience with extended terms to ensure experienced leaders continue to guide and govern, which can lead to better decision-making and more effective governance; and
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encourage representatives to adopt a longer-term mindset and commit to implementing decisions during their tenure as well as provide a longer window for representatives to be held accountable for their actions and performance;
Te Arataura
Recommended governance changes
2. Increase Te Whakakitenga and Te Arataura terms of appointment from three years to four years;
3. Enable Te Arataura to act as the single governance board for all Group assets and activities to be operated under a single Waikato Tainui brand; and
4. Reduce the number of Te Arataura members from eleven to nine with:
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five elected members from Te Whakakitenga;
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three appointed independent Waikato Tainui members; and
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one appointed Kaahui Ariki representative;
These recommendations:
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are consistent with recommendations from previous reviews (e.g. Governance review of 2014-2015);
-
enable long-term planning, with fewer elections and appointments over time;
-
retain ‘institutional memory’ throughout election cycles, maintaining expertise and experience with extended terms to ensure experienced leaders continue to guide and govern, which can lead to better decision-making and more effective governance; and
-
encourage representatives to adopt a longer-term mindset and commit to implementing decisions during their tenure as well as provide a longer window for representatives to be held accountable for their actions and performance;
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strengthens kotahitanga, consistency, and accountability;
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drive holistic, collective impact, and are consistent with the philosophy of empowering our own to govern our future;
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enable efficient and streamlined decision-making with more effective resource allocation and reduced bureaucracy;
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enable more objective decision-making, with greater ethical oversight and mitigation of conflicts of interest, resulting in increased credibility and stakeholder confidence;
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are consistent with governance trends in Aotearoa to reduce Board sizes and are in alignment with W2050; and
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create cost savings and economic efficiencies and enhance the long-term sustainability of the Board.
Waikato Tainui Group
Recommended governance changes
5. Adopt an appointment structure and processes, and a skills and experience matrix, for all governance roles across Waikato Tainui Group.
This recommendation:
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enables the assessment and identification of individuals with key skills, experience and expertise necessary for effective governance;
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supports improved long-term succession planning;
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enhance transparency and accountability across all governance roles;
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promotes and enhances the credibility of the Board; and
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promotes diversity in terms of gender, age, background, and skills among Board members.
Group Chief Executive
Recommended operating structure changes
6. Subject to consultation with affected kaimahi, consolidate to a proposed Group Chief Executive role.
This recommendation:
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enables a unified vision and strategic direction for the entire organisation, with greater strategic consistency;
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enhances accountability and enables more effective and consistent communication across the Group; and
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clarifies who is ultimately responsible for the performance of the Waikato Tainui Group;
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allows for more effective communication of the vision, priorities, and expectations of the iwi to kaimahi; and
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focuses on developing multi-dimensional future leaders within the organisation and identifying high-potential employees who can contribute to our long-term success.
The Wider Group
Recommended operating structure roles
7. Ensure that Waikato Endowed Colleges Trust is supported to achieve its strategic intent by consolidating its assets into the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust and Waikato Raupatu River Trust; and
8. Extend the Waikato Raupatu River Trust's purposes to enable broader non-charitable support to tribal members.
These recommendations:
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ensure the Group’s assets reside in the appropriate entity for efficient resource allocation;
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enable the refocus of the Waikato Endowed Colleges Trust with appropriate support to achieve its strategic aspirations;
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enable greater access to services, expertise and support from the wider Group;
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support Group decision-making that is collaborative and has a kotahitanga approach;
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enable the Group to more easily provide broader, non-charitable support to tribal members;
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create a more robust flexible structure to help meet the needs of the Waikato Tainui Group and its tribal members; and
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do not affect our Maaori Authority Status held by the Waikato Raupatu River Trust, nor the Charitable Status held primarily by the Waikato Raupatu Lands Trust.
Next steps
Given the transformational nature of the recommendations, the Kaapuia Komiti sought the approval of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato on the 7th October, by ordinary resolution to enable consultation and engagement to commence.
Work will also begin on the detailed requirements to implement the recommendations (including responding to feedback received through the consultation process).
Te Whakakitenga o Waikato will make the ultimate decision on whether any of the final recommendations will be implemented.
Once the consultation and related work has been completed, a formal report setting out the final recommendations will be presented to Te Whakakitenga o Waikato for its endorsement, including any changes to the constitutional documents of Te Whakakitenga o Waikato and Te Arataura.