Human Rights Commission

Te Paepae Whakapakari

Purpose

The purpose of the Paepae Whakapakari is to be a forum to enable the Chief Executives of the Ministry of Social Development, Economic Development and Maori Affairs to discuss issues of importance to both Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi and the Crown. The Paepae Whakapakiri is established by the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Deed of Settlement, though Chief Executives are not bound by legislation to attend. The forum has been convened once, in September 2008, and work is in train to convene Paepae Whakapakiri in 2009. The aim is to identify social and economic goals shared by both the Crown and Ngaa Rauru, with the intention of establishing a strong relationship which enables Ngaa Rauru to advance its stated objectives.

Premised on the Crown providing good government in the form of services to its people, the Paepae Whakapakari is a mechanism to help achieve the three goals of the Deed of Settlement, namely:

a) to assist to restore the honour of the Crown

b) to help to tell the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi story

c) to assist in the revitalisation of Ngaa Raurutanga.

Background

The Paepae Whakapakari drops down from the Paepae Rangatira which identifies broad goals common to Ngaa Rauru and the government. Ngaa Rauru has developed a work programme based on these goals. The Paepae Whakapakari provides a forum where this programme can be presented to government agencies. Agencies not listed in the Deed of Settlement have also attended in the past and will continue to do so where a clear role has been established.

Ngaa Rauru is currently confirming detailed planning around their short and long term priorities and has met with agencies a number of times since 2008 to develop a specific work programme. The programme will feature when the Paepae Rangatira next meets.

Roles

The role Government agencies have taken when meeting with Ngaa Rauru is to provide support and encouragement for their work programme and to identify opportunities to work co-operatively on shared outcomes. Ngaa Rauru may also identify areas where government resource assistance will be sought.

As the Crown’s principal advisor on Crown – Māori relationships, the role of Te Puni Kōkiri is to invite relevant agencies to Paepae Whakapakiri to assist in the strengthening of the relationship and the advancement of the aspirations of the iwi. Te Puni Kōkiri works with Ngaa Rauru, providing information to agencies prior to Paepae Whakapakiri.

The role of Te Kaahui o Rauru, governance body for Ngaa Rauru, is to develop strategies to achieve the iwi’s priorities, presenting these to agencies with a view to developing a work programme that is both supported by its people and also attracts Crown resources.

What happens

This work programme forms the basis of discussions for the Paepae Whakapakari to explore options for government agency involvement to assist in meeting the aspirations of Ngaa Rauru. The Paepae Whakapakari team is responsible for pulling the work programme together, negotiating resources and partnerships and supervising the implementation of the work programmes. Te Kaahui o Rauru has established three subsidiary companies which are responsible for the operations. The 2009/10 work programme is shaped to respond to:

• infrastructure development
• education and training
• economic stimulus especially in response to the current recession

The programme aims specifically to strengthen marae infrastructure through a whole-of-iwi co-ordinated approach, to embrace employment skills, education and training and to support those at risk in employment, income and housing through economic growth and to foster social development and support. A key concern for both parties is how the recession will impact on Ngaa Rauru people and others in the rohe.

“We believe our initiatives are blueprints for developing communities. They are scalable, transformative and enduring. We are at a phase of development where Te Kaahui o Rauru is moving on from successful pilots to widespread implementation and we are looking to accelerate our impact, innovation and social change by building partnerships that will achieve lasting impact” – Ngaa Rauru Briefing Paper.

Ngaa Rauru lacks policy capability so a key part of their proposal is to second skilled analysts to assist with the work and also to train those at home in policy development and writing.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The Paepae Whakapakari relates to Article 23 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which says: “Indigenous peoples have the right to determine and develop priorities and strategies for exercising their right to development. In particular, indigenous peoples have the right to be actively involved in developing and determining health, housing and other social and economic programmes affecting them and, as far as possible, to administer such programmes through their own institutions.”

It also relates to Articles 3 (self-determination) and 4 (self government) of the Declaration.

What is working well

Officials in TPK and Ngaa Rauru are working to build an enduring relationship, with commitment from both parties to work together. The Paepae Whakapakari affirms the Treaty relationship established in 1840 which is endorsed in the Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi Claims Settlement Act 2005.

This work has support from Ministers. It is early days but there is agreement on the process for achieving common goals.

Looking ahead

The Paepae Whakapakari is a process that can strengthen Crown – taangata whenua relationships and lead to mutually beneficial long-term results. This is consistent with the goals of the Deed of Settlement of restoring the honour of the Crown, helping to tell Ngaa Rauru stories and revitalising Ngaa Raurutanga.

Documentation

Information about the development of Ngaa Rauru

Last updated 15 July 2009