Letter To Whanui From Mark

Tēnā rā koutou katoa, As you are all aware, Ngāi Tahu is currently attracting media coverage on a range of tribal matters. As Kaiwhakahaere, I have been concerned that the nature of the media coverage, and sources of information that the media has been relying on, pose risks to interests of Ngāi Tahu Whānui and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. Over the past few weeks, I have called on Ngāi Tahu Whānui and our tribal leadership to ensure that we address these current matters in the Ngai Tahu way, openly and on the basis of accurate information. I have also made myself available to attend hui to discuss these matters, and look forward to the first two confirmed hui as opportunities for free and full discussions with Ngāi Tahu Whānui at the Taumata Kōrero at Rehua Marae on the 20th March and with the members of Awarua Rūnanga at Te Rau Aroha marae on the 29th of March. I also called a meeting of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu that was held yesterday evening at Te Waipounamu House. Te Rūnanga is obligated to act in the best interests of Ngāi Tahu Whānui, and I believe it is our responsibility to meet kanohi ki te kanohi to discuss, and develop constructive responses to these current tribal matters. It was unfortunate that five Representatives chose not to attend the meeting, as it provided a valuable forum to consider two key issues underlying the current matters and a number of responses we consider to be prudent in the circumstances. Confidentiality of Information One of the key issues relates to the confidentiality of information and its appropriate use. The media has had access to some confidential information that was discussed by Te Rūnanga In Committee to preserve commercial and/or political sensitivity. The result has been inaccurate information being published, which Te Rūnanga has not been able to correct because doing so would result in further breaches of confidentiality. Te Rūnanga moved last night to address this issue in three ways: (1) taking expert advice on confidentiality standards and the treatment of confidential information; (2) approving in principle further policy for the treatment of confidential information; and (3) releasing information from confidentiality to support free and open discussions with Ngāi Tahu Whānui. The expert advice has provided Te Rūnanga with guidance on increasing the security of our confidential information and also on the legal implications of breaches of confidentiality.

Te Rūnanga’s policy response has been to strengthen the current standards and rules we have in place to ensure that the conduct of Te Rūnanga Representatives meets best practice, and the expectations of Ngāi Tahu Whānui that Representatives act with integrity, and are transparent, accountable and honest. We are therefore strengthening our rules about confidentiality while also moving to put in place a ‘whistleblower’ framework, so that there is a safe and robust process for any Representative or employee to disclose information on any improper conduct they become aware of. Releasing formerly confidential information is important to ensure that Ngāi Tahu Whānui have accurate and full information with which to discuss the current tribal matters. Attached is an information pack that provides a comprehensive outline of the context and current status of matters that have recently been misreported. Te Rūnanga is firmly committed to open and transparent governance and supporting free and frank discussions amongst Ngāi Tahu Whānui on marae and within our communities, and hope that this information will be a useful contribution to those discussions. Protecting Our Reputation The second issue that Te Rūnanga considered yesterday evening was information that suggests a co-ordinated endeavour to damage the reputation of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu through the media. This information was originally received by me personally and anonymously through the post. Te Rūnanga discussed the information yesterday evening and, on advice, resolved to release the material to Ngāi Tahu Whānui to support open and transparent discussions on marae and within our communities. That information is also attached to this letter. The information consists of a series of working papers and e-mail correspondence that appears to suggest that a small group of Ngāi Tahu people have been working toward a common purpose of instigating adverse media commentary on the affairs of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and my personal integrity as Kaiwhakahaere. Te Rūnanga is concerned by the information received for four key reasons. The intention to use the media to expose tribal matters is deeply disappointing to Te Rūnanga. Te Rūnanga firmly believes that the appropriate way to address tribal matters is through open, kanohi ki te kanohi, dialogue. There are a number of appropriate avenues through which these matters can be discussed without damaging the interests of Ngāi Tahu Whānui. Te Rūnanga are also concerned that the materials and related media commentary indicate a continuation of the tribal politics that have beset our iwi from time to time over the past 6 years. Te Rūnanga is committed to working constructively to identify enduring resolutions to the apparent differences of opinion held by the authors, and their associates, of the attached information. Te Rūnanga noted that the working paper (attached) contains objectives that are very similar to objectives that Te Rūnanga has been working towards achieving for the past 18 months and are therefore confident that a way forward can be identified. A further matter of concern to Te Rūnanga was that the information received suggests that confidential information may be released. As a matter of fact, confidential information referred to in the correspondence has been released to the media. Te Rūnanga took active steps last

night to increase the security around confidential information and to strengthen the obligations on individuals to treat confidential information appropriately. The most significant concerns to Te Runanga are the very real risks that the continued media coverage poses to the interests of Ngāi Tahu Whānui. The reputation of Ngāi Tahu has developed over the past 10 years to be one in which Ngāi Tahu and the wider community can have trust and confidence particularly in our commercial performance, organizational stability and the continued integrity of our tribal leadership. The media coverage instigated to some extent by the co-ordinated endeavours contained in the attached information has the potential to undermine our reputation and the trust and confidence that is placed in Ngāi Tahu as an iwi and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu as the iwi authority. Damage to reputation can have very real consequences, most significantly, the pride that Ngāi Tahu whānau have in being Ngāi Tahu. Te Rūnanga has two real avenues to address these risks, and are committed to pursuing each with absolute diligence. Firstly, Te Rūnanga must meet the highest standards of transparent ethical conduct and best practice, which meet the expectations of Ngāi Tahu Whānui to open, honest and accountable governance at the Te Rūnanga table. Te Rūnanga are continuing, through such policies as were discussed during the meeting, to supplement our structures and rules to ensure that these expectations are met at the governance level. It is however, for Ngāi Tahu Whānui and Papatipu Rūnanga to demand that these standards are met by all. Most importantly for Te Rūnanga, it is our responsibility to ensure that Ngāi Tahu Whānui has the opportunity to discuss tribal issues and have access to timely, full and accurate information. I therefore repeat my offer to attend hui to discuss these tribal matters. If the perspectives of those contained in the attached material have some degree of support within Ngāi Tahu Whānui, then Te Rūnanga must and will respond prudently and responsibly to continue to protect and advance the best interests of Ngāi Tahu Whānui. Te Rūnanga makes one request of Ngāi Tahu Whānui. The information that is being released by Te Rūnanga is to support discussion amongst ourselves. We therefore request that the information is not made available to the media. Please co-ordinate arrangements for any hui through my secretary Michelle Long who can be contacted on 03 371 2650 or [email protected] Nāhaku noa Nā Mark Solomon On behalf of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu