Whakamoemititia, whakakororiatia te atua kaha rawa i nga wa katoa, i nga wahi katoa. Ngati Porou kei te whenua, Ngati Porou kei te ao, tena tatau. Tena tatau i o tatau tini aitua. Te huhua noa o nga tangihanga i roto i nga marama tata kua taha ake nei. Otira, kotou te hunga mate, okioki mai ra i raro i te atawhai o te kaihanga. Kua tangihia, kua maharatia hoki te hunga mate, kua ea te wahanga ki a ratau kua huri ki tua o te arai. Ka hoki mai nga mihi ki a tatau nga uri maha a Porourangi, Tihei mauri ora!
LEADERSHIP
In October 2023, the people of Waiapu placed their trust in me again to serve as their Rohenga 2 representative, alongside my Te Whanau a Hinepare tuahine, Taryne Papuni. When my fellow TRONPnui board directors elected me as Chair shortly afterwards, I stepped into the role with a very clear idea about how I wanted to lead. My intention was to follow the leadership approach I had learned from the pakeke who were a big part of my world growing up. They were quiet and humble people, who didn't have a personal agenda, and put the interests of the marae and community first. Their style of leadership encouraged collective decision-making where everyone got to have their say and the aspirations of the people were truly heard. Coming into the TRONPnui Chairman's role, I wanted to bring that same kind of openness and inclusivity to the board table. I've started my report with this korero because another trait the old people from home practiced was to be direct and straight up. So I am going to be direct and straight up with you. This has been a challenging and at times very testing year for our organisation, for our board members and for my leadership as Chair. Significant leadership changes have happened with our Deputy Chair stepping down and then resigning, and our Chief Executive also leaving the organisation. Although our board has made progress in some areas, we have fallen short in others. While the broader political landscape has created some tension and uncertainty across the motu, we have also had our own issues here within Ngati Porou.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We are now half-way through our four-year term as directors. As a board we need to take ownership about what we have and haven't done for Ngati Porou during our tenure. With only two years remaining to serve our whanau and hapu in our TRONPnui governance roles, it is time for us to apply the lessons we've learned, step up our game and do better. Many of you have expressed to us that you want the board to do better and you have been heard. Ultimately it is the people who will hold us accountable. The people voted us into these positions and they can also vote us out.
RESET
In order to move forward as a board, we are going to push the reset button. The reset will involve greater transparency, engagement and communication. Paramount for me in the coming year is to go out to the people, to our hau kaenga and to our taurahere, and hear what you have to say, and then take your whakaaro back to our board table. At last year's Hui a Tau we presented the progress made on the TRONPnui Group strategic direction and the Trust Deed review. However there is still mahi left to do. The strategic direction needs to be reviewed and amended to help inform our 2026 priorities. The Trust Deed review also needs to be completed with more robust accountability measures in place, as an internal review found we had not fully followed the terms of the Trust Deed review process. Changes to the Maori Fisheries Act 2024 will also require that our deed undergoes further technical updates. In 2026 we will commence a full Trust Deed review and will ensure we have a full and proper consultation process on both the TRONPnui Group Strategic Direction and review of the TRONPnui Trust Deed, and go ask the people what they want to see happen. I have developed a close working relationship with the new Deputy Chair, Na Raihania, and TRONPnui management, and have the utmost confidence that together as a team we can achieve these major governance priorities in the new year.
NGATI POROU MO NGATI POROU
A major part of our board reset programme in the new year involves doubling down and exercising our rangatiratanga and mana motuhake as Ngati Porou. Guiding our decisions and actions will be this kaupapa: Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou: For Ngati Porou, by Ngati Porou, with Ngati Porou. We must put Ngati Porou first and foremost investing in our own capabilities and capacity. We must also ensure everything we do is for the benefit of the people, driven by the people, and with the collaboration of the people. Exercising our rangatiratanga and mana motuhake as Ngati Porou, also means fully leaning into the unique qualities that make us Ngati Porou. We are 'He Iwi Moke, He Whanoke' - an independent minded and extra-ordinary people. We must be our true, authentic selves forging our own pathways, who may choose to zig while others zag.
NGATI POROU RELATIONSHIP ACCORD
One of the ways we will exercise 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou' is by reactivating our engagement with the Crown under the Ngati Porou Relationship Accord. As a Treaty Partner, we have a direct relationship with the Crown, and they are obligated to honour our Settlement Agreement, including the Accord that was established as part of it. The Accord provides a mechanism for our iwi to improve the outcomes from government investment and develop and strengthen Ngati Porou-Crown relationships. We have many economic, social, cultural and environmental kaupapa impacting our Ngati Porou rohe that we need to discuss with the Crown. I will work to reinstate the annual Ngati Porou Accord Ministerial summit next year.
TOITU TAIRAWHITI IWI CHAIRS FORUM
Earlier this year TRONPnui withdrew from the Toitu Tairawhiti Iwi Chairs forum, which was made up of four Iwi Chairs from Ngati Porou, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki. The forum was established in 2020 during unprecedented circumstances, in response to the Covid pandemic. By stepping away from the forum, doesn't mean we are turning our backs on our neighbouring iwi. We want to continue our strong relationships with them and provide support when and where we can. However as Te Kani a Takirau once said, "Ehara taku maunga a Hikurangi i te maunga nekeneke, he maunga tu tonu - My mountain Hikurangi does not move, it remains firm and steadfast." As a mandated Iwi, we want to maintain our mana motuhake. This requires us to make our own decisions and speak solely on behalf of Ngati Porou. As trustees, we were elected by our people and responsible and accountable to all uri o Ngati Porou, both those living at home and away. Our existing hononga with our neighbouring iwi are still important, but we also want to build stronger and direct relationships with other Iwi, Government, and various forums.
ADVOCACY AT OTHER TEPU
Members of our board have been active this year on different forums advocating on behalf of our hapu and iwi. In the taiao space board members have been sitting on behalf of Ngati Porou on the Raukumara governance group with Te Whanau a Apanui and Department of Conservation. This governance structure will soon be replaced by the recently established Raukumara Pae Maunga Charitable Trust. We also have had board representatives advocating for concerns to be addressed in the areas of roading infrastructure, health, housing, economic development and emergency management. Although in some instances resources have been directed and decisions made in Ngati Porou's favour, there is much more mahi we can do using these forums. I am reminded of our pakeke who travelled to Parliament over the years for the Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Foreshore and Seabed Deed of Agreement and the Ngati Porou Treaty Settlement legislation. Without their advocacy leading up to those events and their sense of a greater shared purpose, we would not have the opportunities or legal mechanisms we have today. We must carry on nga mahi a nga tipuna. We have everything to gain by doing so, and everything to lose if we don't.
TRONPNUI GROUP SUBSIDIARIES
I must congratulate the achievements of our TRONPnui subsidiary groups: Ngati Porou Oranga, Toitu Ngati Porou and Nāti Growth. As noted in the NPO Chairman's report, Ngati Porou Oranga faced the direct impacts of health and social service cuts and reductions made by the government. However they successfully pivoted and realigned their resources to ensure the continuation of services for whanau. Our Ngati Porou Oranga services provide a life-line for many whanau, especially during this cost of living crisis. This is an area our board needs to give more focus to. As the Chair of Toitu Ngati Porou, I appreciate the mahi of the Toitu Ngati Porou General Manager and team. They distributed just over a million dollars worth of grants to support cultural and educational development, and engage our rangatahi, whanau and marae in sports, Pa Wars and Matariki activities. I was also pleased that some of our Rohenga Tipuna received targeted grants to enable hapu-led development. I am also grateful to the Chair of Nati Growth for the $6 million in distributions made to the TRONPnui Group in the 2024/2025 year to support our cultural, social and administrative activities. I also congratulate Nati Growth on the opening of the Ngati Porou Native Nursery and the launch of Te Ihi Wellness products. Nāti Growth is making a meaningful contribution to economic opportunities at home, and their investments are bringing in good returns to keep building up our iwi asset base.
PRIORITIES FOR 2026
As already noted, our key priorities include: the refresh of the TRONPnui Group Strategic Direction. the completion of the technical Trust Deed Review process with robust accountability measurements in place to ensure adherence to the Trust Deed. commencing a full Trust Deed review and engagement with Ngati Porou Uri. the reinstatement of the Ngati Porou Relationship Accords relationship with the Crown. improved communication and engagement with our Ngati Porou hau kaenga and Taurahere as per our reset programme. explore opportunities to activate, 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou: For Ngati Porou, by Ngati Porou, with Ngati Porou.' Our other priorities include holding a by-election in Rohenga Tipuna 3 and commencing the recruitment process for a new permanent TRONPnui Chief Executive.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to acknowledge Hekia Parata, former TRONPnui Deputy Chair and Rohenga Tipuna 3 director, for her service and contribution to the board. I want to thank George Reedy, former TRONPnui Chief Executive, for his service to the board and TRONPnui group, and his contribution to Ngati Porou. I would also like to thank Leo Warid, the former TRONPnui Chief Financial Officer for his service and contribution to the TRONPnui Group. On behalf of the board, I want to thank Henare Walker for seamlessly stepping into the Acting TRONPnui CEO role and taking on these additional responsibilities alongside leading Nati Growth. His calm, steady leadership has provided the continuity we needed, keeping our TRONPnui waka afloat and operational. Henare grew up in Rangitukia and attended Tapere nui a Whatonga with myself and his older sister, Paula. His Nanny Bessie and Papa Henare would be very proud of what he has accomplished. Last but definitely not least, I want to thank all our kaimahi across the TRONPnui Group as they are the backbone of our organisation. Regardless of what is happening at the board table, they simply get on with the mahi. Day in and day out, they work with our whanau, create value from our whenua, support the revitalisation of our culture, and keep the operations running smoothly. Ma Te Atua tatau e manaaki. Meri Kirihimete ki a koutou katoa.
Patrick Tangaere,
Tiamana, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou.
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Annual Report here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-report-2025
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Financials here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-consolidated-financial-statement-2025
Whakamoemititia, whakakororiatia te atua kaha rawa i nga wa katoa, i nga wahi katoa. Ngati Porou kei te whenua, Ngati Porou kei te ao, tena tatau. Tena tatau i o tatau tini aitua. Te huhua noa o nga tangihanga i roto i nga marama tata kua taha ake nei. Otira, kotou te hunga mate, okioki mai ra i raro i te atawhai o te kaihanga. Kua tangihia, kua maharatia hoki te hunga mate, kua ea te wahanga ki a ratau kua huri ki tua o te arai. Ka hoki mai nga mihi ki a tatau nga uri maha a Porourangi, Tihei mauri ora!
LEADERSHIP
In October 2023, the people of Waiapu placed their trust in me again to serve as their Rohenga 2 representative, alongside my Te Whanau a Hinepare tuahine, Taryne Papuni. When my fellow TRONPnui board directors elected me as Chair shortly afterwards, I stepped into the role with a very clear idea about how I wanted to lead. My intention was to follow the leadership approach I had learned from the pakeke who were a big part of my world growing up. They were quiet and humble people, who didn't have a personal agenda, and put the interests of the marae and community first. Their style of leadership encouraged collective decision-making where everyone got to have their say and the aspirations of the people were truly heard. Coming into the TRONPnui Chairman's role, I wanted to bring that same kind of openness and inclusivity to the board table. I've started my report with this korero because another trait the old people from home practiced was to be direct and straight up. So I am going to be direct and straight up with you. This has been a challenging and at times very testing year for our organisation, for our board members and for my leadership as Chair. Significant leadership changes have happened with our Deputy Chair stepping down and then resigning, and our Chief Executive also leaving the organisation. Although our board has made progress in some areas, we have fallen short in others. While the broader political landscape has created some tension and uncertainty across the motu, we have also had our own issues here within Ngati Porou.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We are now half-way through our four-year term as directors. As a board we need to take ownership about what we have and haven't done for Ngati Porou during our tenure. With only two years remaining to serve our whanau and hapu in our TRONPnui governance roles, it is time for us to apply the lessons we've learned, step up our game and do better. Many of you have expressed to us that you want the board to do better and you have been heard. Ultimately it is the people who will hold us accountable. The people voted us into these positions and they can also vote us out.
RESET
In order to move forward as a board, we are going to push the reset button. The reset will involve greater transparency, engagement and communication. Paramount for me in the coming year is to go out to the people, to our hau kaenga and to our taurahere, and hear what you have to say, and then take your whakaaro back to our board table. At last year's Hui a Tau we presented the progress made on the TRONPnui Group strategic direction and the Trust Deed review. However there is still mahi left to do. The strategic direction needs to be reviewed and amended to help inform our 2026 priorities. The Trust Deed review also needs to be completed with more robust accountability measures in place, as an internal review found we had not fully followed the terms of the Trust Deed review process. Changes to the Maori Fisheries Act 2024 will also require that our deed undergoes further technical updates. In 2026 we will commence a full Trust Deed review and will ensure we have a full and proper consultation process on both the TRONPnui Group Strategic Direction and review of the TRONPnui Trust Deed, and go ask the people what they want to see happen. I have developed a close working relationship with the new Deputy Chair, Na Raihania, and TRONPnui management, and have the utmost confidence that together as a team we can achieve these major governance priorities in the new year.
NGATI POROU MO NGATI POROU
A major part of our board reset programme in the new year involves doubling down and exercising our rangatiratanga and mana motuhake as Ngati Porou. Guiding our decisions and actions will be this kaupapa: Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou: For Ngati Porou, by Ngati Porou, with Ngati Porou. We must put Ngati Porou first and foremost investing in our own capabilities and capacity. We must also ensure everything we do is for the benefit of the people, driven by the people, and with the collaboration of the people. Exercising our rangatiratanga and mana motuhake as Ngati Porou, also means fully leaning into the unique qualities that make us Ngati Porou. We are 'He Iwi Moke, He Whanoke' - an independent minded and extra-ordinary people. We must be our true, authentic selves forging our own pathways, who may choose to zig while others zag.
NGATI POROU RELATIONSHIP ACCORD
One of the ways we will exercise 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou' is by reactivating our engagement with the Crown under the Ngati Porou Relationship Accord. As a Treaty Partner, we have a direct relationship with the Crown, and they are obligated to honour our Settlement Agreement, including the Accord that was established as part of it. The Accord provides a mechanism for our iwi to improve the outcomes from government investment and develop and strengthen Ngati Porou-Crown relationships. We have many economic, social, cultural and environmental kaupapa impacting our Ngati Porou rohe that we need to discuss with the Crown. I will work to reinstate the annual Ngati Porou Accord Ministerial summit next year.
TOITU TAIRAWHITI IWI CHAIRS FORUM
Earlier this year TRONPnui withdrew from the Toitu Tairawhiti Iwi Chairs forum, which was made up of four Iwi Chairs from Ngati Porou, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki. The forum was established in 2020 during unprecedented circumstances, in response to the Covid pandemic. By stepping away from the forum, doesn't mean we are turning our backs on our neighbouring iwi. We want to continue our strong relationships with them and provide support when and where we can. However as Te Kani a Takirau once said, "Ehara taku maunga a Hikurangi i te maunga nekeneke, he maunga tu tonu - My mountain Hikurangi does not move, it remains firm and steadfast." As a mandated Iwi, we want to maintain our mana motuhake. This requires us to make our own decisions and speak solely on behalf of Ngati Porou. As trustees, we were elected by our people and responsible and accountable to all uri o Ngati Porou, both those living at home and away. Our existing hononga with our neighbouring iwi are still important, but we also want to build stronger and direct relationships with other Iwi, Government, and various forums.
ADVOCACY AT OTHER TEPU
Members of our board have been active this year on different forums advocating on behalf of our hapu and iwi. In the taiao space board members have been sitting on behalf of Ngati Porou on the Raukumara governance group with Te Whanau a Apanui and Department of Conservation. This governance structure will soon be replaced by the recently established Raukumara Pae Maunga Charitable Trust. We also have had board representatives advocating for concerns to be addressed in the areas of roading infrastructure, health, housing, economic development and emergency management. Although in some instances resources have been directed and decisions made in Ngati Porou's favour, there is much more mahi we can do using these forums. I am reminded of our pakeke who travelled to Parliament over the years for the Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Foreshore and Seabed Deed of Agreement and the Ngati Porou Treaty Settlement legislation. Without their advocacy leading up to those events and their sense of a greater shared purpose, we would not have the opportunities or legal mechanisms we have today. We must carry on nga mahi a nga tipuna. We have everything to gain by doing so, and everything to lose if we don't.
TRONPNUI GROUP SUBSIDIARIES
I must congratulate the achievements of our TRONPnui subsidiary groups: Ngati Porou Oranga, Toitu Ngati Porou and Nāti Growth. As noted in the NPO Chairman's report, Ngati Porou Oranga faced the direct impacts of health and social service cuts and reductions made by the government. However they successfully pivoted and realigned their resources to ensure the continuation of services for whanau. Our Ngati Porou Oranga services provide a life-line for many whanau, especially during this cost of living crisis. This is an area our board needs to give more focus to. As the Chair of Toitu Ngati Porou, I appreciate the mahi of the Toitu Ngati Porou General Manager and team. They distributed just over a million dollars worth of grants to support cultural and educational development, and engage our rangatahi, whanau and marae in sports, Pa Wars and Matariki activities. I was also pleased that some of our Rohenga Tipuna received targeted grants to enable hapu-led development. I am also grateful to the Chair of Nati Growth for the $6 million in distributions made to the TRONPnui Group in the 2024/2025 year to support our cultural, social and administrative activities. I also congratulate Nati Growth on the opening of the Ngati Porou Native Nursery and the launch of Te Ihi Wellness products. Nāti Growth is making a meaningful contribution to economic opportunities at home, and their investments are bringing in good returns to keep building up our iwi asset base.
PRIORITIES FOR 2026
As already noted, our key priorities include: the refresh of the TRONPnui Group Strategic Direction. the completion of the technical Trust Deed Review process with robust accountability measurements in place to ensure adherence to the Trust Deed. commencing a full Trust Deed review and engagement with Ngati Porou Uri. the reinstatement of the Ngati Porou Relationship Accords relationship with the Crown. improved communication and engagement with our Ngati Porou hau kaenga and Taurahere as per our reset programme. explore opportunities to activate, 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou: For Ngati Porou, by Ngati Porou, with Ngati Porou.' Our other priorities include holding a by-election in Rohenga Tipuna 3 and commencing the recruitment process for a new permanent TRONPnui Chief Executive.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to acknowledge Hekia Parata, former TRONPnui Deputy Chair and Rohenga Tipuna 3 director, for her service and contribution to the board. I want to thank George Reedy, former TRONPnui Chief Executive, for his service to the board and TRONPnui group, and his contribution to Ngati Porou. I would also like to thank Leo Warid, the former TRONPnui Chief Financial Officer for his service and contribution to the TRONPnui Group. On behalf of the board, I want to thank Henare Walker for seamlessly stepping into the Acting TRONPnui CEO role and taking on these additional responsibilities alongside leading Nati Growth. His calm, steady leadership has provided the continuity we needed, keeping our TRONPnui waka afloat and operational. Henare grew up in Rangitukia and attended Tapere nui a Whatonga with myself and his older sister, Paula. His Nanny Bessie and Papa Henare would be very proud of what he has accomplished. Last but definitely not least, I want to thank all our kaimahi across the TRONPnui Group as they are the backbone of our organisation. Regardless of what is happening at the board table, they simply get on with the mahi. Day in and day out, they work with our whanau, create value from our whenua, support the revitalisation of our culture, and keep the operations running smoothly. Ma Te Atua tatau e manaaki. Meri Kirihimete ki a koutou katoa.
Patrick Tangaere,
Tiamana, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou.
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Annual Report here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-report-2025
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Financials here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-consolidated-financial-statement-2025
Whakamoemititia, whakakororiatia te atua kaha rawa i nga wa katoa, i nga wahi katoa. Ngati Porou kei te whenua, Ngati Porou kei te ao, tena tatau. Tena tatau i o tatau tini aitua. Te huhua noa o nga tangihanga i roto i nga marama tata kua taha ake nei. Otira, kotou te hunga mate, okioki mai ra i raro i te atawhai o te kaihanga. Kua tangihia, kua maharatia hoki te hunga mate, kua ea te wahanga ki a ratau kua huri ki tua o te arai. Ka hoki mai nga mihi ki a tatau nga uri maha a Porourangi, Tihei mauri ora!
LEADERSHIP
In October 2023, the people of Waiapu placed their trust in me again to serve as their Rohenga 2 representative, alongside my Te Whanau a Hinepare tuahine, Taryne Papuni. When my fellow TRONPnui board directors elected me as Chair shortly afterwards, I stepped into the role with a very clear idea about how I wanted to lead. My intention was to follow the leadership approach I had learned from the pakeke who were a big part of my world growing up. They were quiet and humble people, who didn't have a personal agenda, and put the interests of the marae and community first. Their style of leadership encouraged collective decision-making where everyone got to have their say and the aspirations of the people were truly heard. Coming into the TRONPnui Chairman's role, I wanted to bring that same kind of openness and inclusivity to the board table. I've started my report with this korero because another trait the old people from home practiced was to be direct and straight up. So I am going to be direct and straight up with you. This has been a challenging and at times very testing year for our organisation, for our board members and for my leadership as Chair. Significant leadership changes have happened with our Deputy Chair stepping down and then resigning, and our Chief Executive also leaving the organisation. Although our board has made progress in some areas, we have fallen short in others. While the broader political landscape has created some tension and uncertainty across the motu, we have also had our own issues here within Ngati Porou.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We are now half-way through our four-year term as directors. As a board we need to take ownership about what we have and haven't done for Ngati Porou during our tenure. With only two years remaining to serve our whanau and hapu in our TRONPnui governance roles, it is time for us to apply the lessons we've learned, step up our game and do better. Many of you have expressed to us that you want the board to do better and you have been heard. Ultimately it is the people who will hold us accountable. The people voted us into these positions and they can also vote us out.
RESET
In order to move forward as a board, we are going to push the reset button. The reset will involve greater transparency, engagement and communication. Paramount for me in the coming year is to go out to the people, to our hau kaenga and to our taurahere, and hear what you have to say, and then take your whakaaro back to our board table. At last year's Hui a Tau we presented the progress made on the TRONPnui Group strategic direction and the Trust Deed review. However there is still mahi left to do. The strategic direction needs to be reviewed and amended to help inform our 2026 priorities. The Trust Deed review also needs to be completed with more robust accountability measures in place, as an internal review found we had not fully followed the terms of the Trust Deed review process. Changes to the Maori Fisheries Act 2024 will also require that our deed undergoes further technical updates. In 2026 we will commence a full Trust Deed review and will ensure we have a full and proper consultation process on both the TRONPnui Group Strategic Direction and review of the TRONPnui Trust Deed, and go ask the people what they want to see happen. I have developed a close working relationship with the new Deputy Chair, Na Raihania, and TRONPnui management, and have the utmost confidence that together as a team we can achieve these major governance priorities in the new year.
NGATI POROU MO NGATI POROU
A major part of our board reset programme in the new year involves doubling down and exercising our rangatiratanga and mana motuhake as Ngati Porou. Guiding our decisions and actions will be this kaupapa: Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou: For Ngati Porou, by Ngati Porou, with Ngati Porou. We must put Ngati Porou first and foremost investing in our own capabilities and capacity. We must also ensure everything we do is for the benefit of the people, driven by the people, and with the collaboration of the people. Exercising our rangatiratanga and mana motuhake as Ngati Porou, also means fully leaning into the unique qualities that make us Ngati Porou. We are 'He Iwi Moke, He Whanoke' - an independent minded and extra-ordinary people. We must be our true, authentic selves forging our own pathways, who may choose to zig while others zag.
NGATI POROU RELATIONSHIP ACCORD
One of the ways we will exercise 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou' is by reactivating our engagement with the Crown under the Ngati Porou Relationship Accord. As a Treaty Partner, we have a direct relationship with the Crown, and they are obligated to honour our Settlement Agreement, including the Accord that was established as part of it. The Accord provides a mechanism for our iwi to improve the outcomes from government investment and develop and strengthen Ngati Porou-Crown relationships. We have many economic, social, cultural and environmental kaupapa impacting our Ngati Porou rohe that we need to discuss with the Crown. I will work to reinstate the annual Ngati Porou Accord Ministerial summit next year.
TOITU TAIRAWHITI IWI CHAIRS FORUM
Earlier this year TRONPnui withdrew from the Toitu Tairawhiti Iwi Chairs forum, which was made up of four Iwi Chairs from Ngati Porou, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki. The forum was established in 2020 during unprecedented circumstances, in response to the Covid pandemic. By stepping away from the forum, doesn't mean we are turning our backs on our neighbouring iwi. We want to continue our strong relationships with them and provide support when and where we can. However as Te Kani a Takirau once said, "Ehara taku maunga a Hikurangi i te maunga nekeneke, he maunga tu tonu - My mountain Hikurangi does not move, it remains firm and steadfast." As a mandated Iwi, we want to maintain our mana motuhake. This requires us to make our own decisions and speak solely on behalf of Ngati Porou. As trustees, we were elected by our people and responsible and accountable to all uri o Ngati Porou, both those living at home and away. Our existing hononga with our neighbouring iwi are still important, but we also want to build stronger and direct relationships with other Iwi, Government, and various forums.
ADVOCACY AT OTHER TEPU
Members of our board have been active this year on different forums advocating on behalf of our hapu and iwi. In the taiao space board members have been sitting on behalf of Ngati Porou on the Raukumara governance group with Te Whanau a Apanui and Department of Conservation. This governance structure will soon be replaced by the recently established Raukumara Pae Maunga Charitable Trust. We also have had board representatives advocating for concerns to be addressed in the areas of roading infrastructure, health, housing, economic development and emergency management. Although in some instances resources have been directed and decisions made in Ngati Porou's favour, there is much more mahi we can do using these forums. I am reminded of our pakeke who travelled to Parliament over the years for the Nga Hapu o Ngati Porou Foreshore and Seabed Deed of Agreement and the Ngati Porou Treaty Settlement legislation. Without their advocacy leading up to those events and their sense of a greater shared purpose, we would not have the opportunities or legal mechanisms we have today. We must carry on nga mahi a nga tipuna. We have everything to gain by doing so, and everything to lose if we don't.
TRONPNUI GROUP SUBSIDIARIES
I must congratulate the achievements of our TRONPnui subsidiary groups: Ngati Porou Oranga, Toitu Ngati Porou and Nāti Growth. As noted in the NPO Chairman's report, Ngati Porou Oranga faced the direct impacts of health and social service cuts and reductions made by the government. However they successfully pivoted and realigned their resources to ensure the continuation of services for whanau. Our Ngati Porou Oranga services provide a life-line for many whanau, especially during this cost of living crisis. This is an area our board needs to give more focus to. As the Chair of Toitu Ngati Porou, I appreciate the mahi of the Toitu Ngati Porou General Manager and team. They distributed just over a million dollars worth of grants to support cultural and educational development, and engage our rangatahi, whanau and marae in sports, Pa Wars and Matariki activities. I was also pleased that some of our Rohenga Tipuna received targeted grants to enable hapu-led development. I am also grateful to the Chair of Nati Growth for the $6 million in distributions made to the TRONPnui Group in the 2024/2025 year to support our cultural, social and administrative activities. I also congratulate Nati Growth on the opening of the Ngati Porou Native Nursery and the launch of Te Ihi Wellness products. Nāti Growth is making a meaningful contribution to economic opportunities at home, and their investments are bringing in good returns to keep building up our iwi asset base.
PRIORITIES FOR 2026
As already noted, our key priorities include: the refresh of the TRONPnui Group Strategic Direction. the completion of the technical Trust Deed Review process with robust accountability measurements in place to ensure adherence to the Trust Deed. commencing a full Trust Deed review and engagement with Ngati Porou Uri. the reinstatement of the Ngati Porou Relationship Accords relationship with the Crown. improved communication and engagement with our Ngati Porou hau kaenga and Taurahere as per our reset programme. explore opportunities to activate, 'Ngati Porou mo Ngati Porou: For Ngati Porou, by Ngati Porou, with Ngati Porou.' Our other priorities include holding a by-election in Rohenga Tipuna 3 and commencing the recruitment process for a new permanent TRONPnui Chief Executive.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I want to acknowledge Hekia Parata, former TRONPnui Deputy Chair and Rohenga Tipuna 3 director, for her service and contribution to the board. I want to thank George Reedy, former TRONPnui Chief Executive, for his service to the board and TRONPnui group, and his contribution to Ngati Porou. I would also like to thank Leo Warid, the former TRONPnui Chief Financial Officer for his service and contribution to the TRONPnui Group. On behalf of the board, I want to thank Henare Walker for seamlessly stepping into the Acting TRONPnui CEO role and taking on these additional responsibilities alongside leading Nati Growth. His calm, steady leadership has provided the continuity we needed, keeping our TRONPnui waka afloat and operational. Henare grew up in Rangitukia and attended Tapere nui a Whatonga with myself and his older sister, Paula. His Nanny Bessie and Papa Henare would be very proud of what he has accomplished. Last but definitely not least, I want to thank all our kaimahi across the TRONPnui Group as they are the backbone of our organisation. Regardless of what is happening at the board table, they simply get on with the mahi. Day in and day out, they work with our whanau, create value from our whenua, support the revitalisation of our culture, and keep the operations running smoothly. Ma Te Atua tatau e manaaki. Meri Kirihimete ki a koutou katoa.
Patrick Tangaere,
Tiamana, Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou.
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Annual Report here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-report-2025
Download a copy of the TRONPnui Group 2025 Financials here:
https://www.ngatiporou.com/publication/annual-consolidated-financial-statement-2025
