History of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou

Background

Te Runanga o Ngati Porou is the iwi authority established under the Te Runanga o Ngati Porou Act, 1 September 1987, in accordance with the Maori Trust Boards Act 1955.

The runanga acts on behalf of nga uri a nga hapu o Ngati Porou mai i Potikirua ki te Toka a Taiau (descendants of the sub-tribes of Ngati Porou, who occupy the tribal lands from Potikirua to the north-east of Potaka and Te Toka a Taiau, at the mouth of the Turanganui River).

The runanga’s role is to promote, support and facilitate the cultural, economic, political and social prosperity and wellbeing of Ngati Porou.

Highlights and achievements

1985	Ngati Porou Hui Taumata (Economic Summit). Ngati Porou working party established to prepare the way forward for the establishment of a Ngati Porou authority.
1987	Te Runanga o Ngati Porou established under Te Runanga o Ngati Porou Act. Te Runanga o Ngati Porou register established. Radio Ngati Porou established with assistance from the runanga. Delivery of Maori Access Scheme (MACCESS) begins.
1988	Begins social development programmes in response to Te Ara Kainga- (The Pathway Home) Return of Ngati Porou children to whanau care. Purchases Pakihiroa Station from the Crown, for and on behalf of Ngati Porou.
1989	Mana Loans portfolio transferred to runanga from Department of Maori Affairs.
1990	Runanga - licence holder for Radio Ngati Porou.
1991	Legal title to (Pakihiroa part) of Hikurangi maunga transferred back to Ngati Porou. Te Whare Wananga o Ngati Porou established.
1992	Completes Ngati Porou Social Services Needs Assessment. Integrated Ngati Porou Social Services Programme begins. Sets up runanga’s Budget Advice Counselling Service. WAI272 Treaty Claim was lodged with the Waitangi Tribunal by Api Mahuika on behalf of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou. Apiha Kaiawhina Programme established – Truancy Officer in Ngati Porou schools.
1993	Runanga establishes Ngati Porou Social Services Committee. Runanga establishes Porou Ariki as office base in Turanga.
1994	Puanga station purchased.
1995	Establishes Ngati Porou education grant fund. Ngati Porou Hauora (NPH) established. The runanga provided political support, advocated for NPH’s first establishment grant and the return of the land, on which Te Puia Hospital is sited, to the Whanau o Iritekura and Whanau a Rakairoa.
1996	Parents as First Teachers programme established. Ngati Porou Housing report completed.
1997	Releases ‘Ngati Porou Mana Motuhake’ discussion document on the performance and future directions of the runanga. Runanga approved to deliver Low Deposit Rural Lending programme.
1998	Completes 48 consultation hui nationwide on Ngati Porou Mana Motuhake and releases summary findings. Runanga Strategic Plan 1998-2003 approved at Rahui-Hui a Iwi. Whaia te iti Kahurangi – first iwi education partnership formed with Ministry of Education to strengthen education in Ngati Porou East Coast communities.
1999	Legal title to the whole of Hikurangi maunga vested in the runanga on behalf of Ngati Porou. Integrates housing, education, health and social services. Conducts by postal ballot first runanga triennial election. Accesses millennium funding. Erects Maui Whakairo on Hikurangi maunga and relocates te Aio o Nukutaimemeha to Te Hatepe at Rangitukia.
2000	Hosts Ngati Porou millennium event with dawn ceremony featuring Maui Whakairo on Hikurangi maunga. Establishes Ngati Porou marae/hapu commercial fisheries working party to develop fisheries strategic plans. Re-establishes Ngati Porou inter-marae sports festival as key event in Ngati Porou annual events calendar.
2001	Te Kura Takai Puni (Ngati Porou Treaty claims committee) established to co-ordinate and facilitate 19 claims (inclusive of WAI272). Runanga, as a principal partner, joins Tairawhiti Development Taskforce comprising Gisborne and Wairoa district councils, Kahunganui ki te Wairoa, TROTAK (Te Runanga o Turanganui a Kiwa), business and community sectors. Runanga purchases Raparapaririki Homestead.
2002	Runanga begins extensive consultation (August 2000 – April 2002) on Ngati Porou commercial fisheries strategy.
	Ngati Porou Commercial Fisheries Strategy endorsed for implementation by Ngati Porou at Pakirikiri Hui a Iwi. Holds inaugural Pakeke Day celebration 1 September.
2003	Ngati Porou and Ministry Education Partnership- rebranded E Tipu E Rea. Establishes Ngati Porou Fisheries Ltd company and appoints interim board of directors. Total of $408,556 in grants paid to Ngati Porou whanau, hapu and marae. Produces Local Level Solutions reports on environmental resource management, business growth and development and social wellbeing.
2004	Hosts inaugural Te Rangitawaea Festival and Nati Awards. Joins forces with Te Whanau a Apanui to sign negotiation agreement with the Crown to secure foreshore and seabed.
2005	Ta Apirana Ngata Memorial lectures commemorating 100th Anniversary of Ta Apirana Ngata’s entry to Parliament. Secures mandate from majority of Ngati Porou hapu to support direction of foreshore and seabed negotiations and runanga facilitation role.
2006	Secures mandate for runanga to establish Porou Ariki Trust as Mandated Iwi Organisation for receipt of fish settlement assets. Adopts Ngati Porou Potential Framework. Final Ngati Porou WAI 262 hearings held in Ngati Porou.
2007	Transfers beneficial interest in Ngati Porou Fisheries Ltd to Porou Ariki Trust. Holds inaugural Ngati Porou Achievement Awards to commemorate 20th anniversary of runanga. Convenes Ngati Porou Annual Calendar of Events comprising of the Hikurangi Dawn Ceremony, Inter-marae Sports Festival, Te Aranga a Matariki, Whakatau ki nga pakeke a Ngati Porou and Ta Apirana Ngata Memorial Lectures Ngati Porou Hui Taurima have been convened for the past seven years. Secures mandate from Ngati Porou to enter into direct negotiations with the Crown.
2008	Signs foreshore and seabed heads of agreement with the Crown. Runanga mandate to enter into direct negotiations to settle all historical Ngati Porou Treaty Claims recognised by the Crown. Te Haeata Ngati Porou Treaty Settlement – Hapu Sub-committee of Te Runanga o Ngati Porou established June, 2008.