HUGH KARENA

As Hugh Karena notes (February 2020):

“The Te Hiku Social Accord comes from the Treaty Settlements between Te Hiku Iwi and the Crown. That included the Crown’s apology for its historic misdeeds towards the iwi and an economic and relationship reset between the iwi and the Crown to move forward in a collaborative manner. The iwi of Te Rarawa, Ngāitakoto, Te Aupōuri and Ngāti Kuri voted for their Treaty settlements. The mana for this agreement comes from the people of Te Hiku (and the Crown). Anyone that questions its validity, questions the mana motuhake of the people of the iwi of Te Hiku to make their own decisions. 

Not only does the Te Hiku Social Accord come from the people, but it is also about Te Hiku people. Māori, Pakeha, Tarara, Hainamana – we make no distinction when we try to save jobs, assist struggling families suffering from harm or provide food packs to feed hungry kids. It aims to strengthen the Te Hiku iwi/Crown relationship to tautoko the whanau of Te Hiku. The Te Hiku Social Accord kaimahi strive with passion and energy to help the people of Te Hiku; build strong relationships with well-being agencies to bring attention to issues afflicting Te Hiku and also, influence and change the way that agencies interact with our people so that these contacts become more positive. We also acknowledge the other partners in this mahi to support Te Hiku whanau—providers and the Crown agencies. Together we all are committed to doing our best for Te Hiku people.

The future of Te Hiku cannot be the same as in the past. Our people need jobs, good health, to be well housed and well educated. The Te Hiku Social Accord, providers and iwi all aim to restore the Tino Rangatiratanga of our people so that whānau, hapū and iwi are well and in control of their lives. And through this agreement, the Crown has signed up to these