Māori freehold land
(also known as Te Karoro B – Glenomaru Blk IV Pt Sec’s 47 & 49)
Further to the previous pānui in the March issue, we advise that a meeting of owners for the above land was held at Kaka Point on 16 April. Approximately 30 attended but not all of those present were owners. It was acknowledged that some had not received adequate notice of the meeting so the following decisions made at the meeting are only preliminary. The preliminary decisions are as follows:
That an Ahu Whenua Trust be established over Maranuku B.
The following were nominated and accepted their appointment as trustees:
- Donna Christine Mataheare-Atariki
- Peggy Lavinia Whio Peak
- Odele Stehlin
- Maureen Ruth Wylie
- Thomas Scott
- David John Dowall
- Peter Armour Williamson
- Winnie Mataheare
Since the meeting, Irian Scott and Marlene McDonald have expressed an interest in also being appointed as trustees. Agreement from the owners is sought to include both Irian and Marlene.
The standard terms of the Ahu Whenua Trust will be adopted with the following variations:
- The trustees are required to call beneficiary meetings at least once every five years
- The trustees will be required to call a special meeting when requested by 10% of the beneficial owners
- The quorum for a beneficiaries meeting is 2% of beneficial owners
- There will be a minimum of five trustees and a maximum of 10 trustees
- Trustees will be appointed for a term of five years with the right for re-election
- Trustees can agree to occupation orders but granting licences of occupation has been removed
- Trustees honorarium has been removed
- Trustees are to apply for review of the trust by 2026.
Those present agreed to the variations Rona Williamson is seeking to her occupation order, these being an increase in size to 8000m2 and secondly that the occupation order can be transferred to a whānau trust and will last for the lifetime of the whānau trust. It was noted that prior to the meeting there had been three objections to the variations sought.
Prior to the meeting, the Maori Land Court confirmed that the original trust over Maranuku B had been terminated. There was strong feeling that this Trust still existed. Following this feedback, Counsel made further enquiries with the Māori Land Court who subsequently changed their position and on 9 May 2016, stated that an Ahu Whenua Trust still exists over Maranuku B. The Maori Land Court have suggested that the original trust requires updating so the suggestion has been made to include the above as amendments to the original trust.
Owners have until Friday 29 July 2016 to contact Haines Ellison at the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre with any questions, or to give their consent or objection to the decisions made. Contact details for the Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre are as follows: email [email protected]. Ph. 0800 626 745 or write to Ngāi Tahu Māori Law Centre, PO Box 633, Dunedin 9054.
Given the complex nature of these matters, if required another meeting will be set down following receipt of feedback.
