Joint Council induction at Takapūwāhia marae

Over 40 elected council members and kaimahi (workers) from Porirua City Council (PCC), Kapiti Coast District Council (KCDC) and Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) were welcomed onto Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua last week for the inaugural Ngāti Toa Rangatira induction for Councillors. The induction was led by the Treaty & Strategic Relationships Team. It is part of the new induction programme for councils to improve engagement, collaboration, and ultimately partnership between Ngāti Toa Rangatira and their council partners.

After the pōwhiri, our CEO Helmut Modlik spoke to the mission, vision and values of the Rūnanga, before our Chair Callum Katene explored with the audience our past, present, and future.

Following kai, Anahera Nin (Treaty & Strategic Relationships Senior Advisor) facilitated discussions on Treaty Partnership and presented elected members with an engagement toolbox on how to engage with mana whenua.

“The opportunity meant we were able to set the direction of the partnership between Ngāti Toa and the councils we work with,” commented Anahera. “[Ngāti Toa Rangatira]. It is now up to the elected council members to take up that tono (challenge) and ensure they’re being good treaty partners according to [Ngāti Toa Rangatira] standards.”

Attendees included, Anita Baker (Mayor of PCC), Janet Holborow (Mayor of KCDC) and Daran Ponter (Chair of GWRC). The general feedback from elected members was really positive, some having never been onto a marae before.

Monica Fraser (Te Pou Whakarae, General Manager for GWRC), expressed that those who attended the induction saw the need to ensure that they reimagine their way of working and confirms the shifts that are taking place to enable rangatiratanga and mana motuhake for mana whenua.

The Treaty & Strategic Relationships team are planning two more inductions for Councillors in the early New Year, another here in Porirua, with the other to be held in Te Tauihu.

This has come after an intensive year of strengthening partnerships with councils, including the implementation of an engagement framework, facilitating cultural competency workshops through Ūpane our professional development space and attending 14 separate council inaugurations.

For those wanting to learn more about the cultural competency workshops delivered through Ūpane, visit the website.