Kā mihi aroha
To all our whānau, suffering the loss of loved ones at this time, Awarua Rūnanga extends all our love and sympathy.
Rā whānau
Happy birthday to all those celebrating their birthdays this month.
Waituna Lagoon signing
On 8 August our rūnanga hosted the official signing of the Waituna Partners’ Group Terms of Reference at Te Rau Aroha Marae. Ngāi Tahu is one of a number of agencies and organisations with management and statutory responsibilities for Waituna Lagoon and its catchment.
In 2012 the Department of Conservation, Environment Southland (ES), Ngāi Tahu and Southland District Council (SDC) started discussing the idea of working together more collaboratively and establishing a formal, coordinated structure to support this. This led to the formation of the Waituna Partners’ Group and creation of a formal Terms of Reference, which records the relationship between those parties (‘the Partners’) with a statutory role in the management of Waituna Lagoon and catchment, namely DOC, ES, Ngāi Tahu and SDC.
This document establishes how the partners will work together and alongside the community and stakeholders, to improve the environmental health and quality of the Waituna Lagoon and catchment via the Waituna Project.
This is the continuation of important work being done by our Ngāi Tahu people to try and reverse environmental issues, not only with the Waituna but with many of our other lowland coastal lakes throughout Te Waipounamu.
Our Kaiwhakahaere, Hana Morgan signed on behalf of our rūnanga when Tā Mark Solomon was unable to attend. However, he has since signed on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. We are grateful to Richard Ball, who attended on behalf of the office of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Awarua Appointment Committee
The rūnanga executive wishes to advise it members, that at the special meeting held on Sunday 8 September 2013 five valid nominations were received for the Awarua Appointment Committee and as a result the five nominees have been appointed as the Awarua Appointment Committee (a postal ballot will not be required). The Awarua Appointment Committee members are Ana Beaton, Sharon Malofie, Hana Morgan, Gail Thompson and Stephanie Blair.