Ngāi Tahu's new kaiwhakahaere 'humbled' by support

Thursday, 23 November 2017

Ngāi Tahu kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai said the total relativity payment would go to Ngāi Tahu Holdings Corporation.

Lisa Tumahai has been elected Ngāi Tahu's kaiwhakahaere, or chair, of the South Island iwi – the first wāhine in the role.

Tumahai takes on responsibility for $1.3 billion of tribal assets and advancing the interests of more than 58,000 members of the iwi.

She has been acting kaiwhakahaere since the departure of Sir Mark Solomon in December.

Before that, she was deputy kaiwhakahaere from 2011 and had been rūnanga representative for Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae on the West Coast since 2001.

* Ngai Tahu head Sir Mark Solomon's exit triggered by clash of cultures

* Ngai Tahu elects first female deputy**

In a statement, Tumahai said the appointment by election at the iwi's annual general meeting at Tuahiwi Marae on Thursday was an honour.

'I am humbled to have received such a strong mandate to carry on my role as the kaiwhakahaere.

'My vision going forward is to ensure, as a board, we create an evolutionary shift to better support the needs and wellbeing of Ngāi Tahu whānui.'

Tumahai paid tribute to Solomon's hard work and dedication in his 18 years as kaiwhakahaere.

Matapura Ellison, representative for Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, in Otago, was appointed as the kaiwhakahaere tuarua (deputy chair).

Te Tai Tonga MP Rino Tirikatene congratulated Tumahai and said her appointment marked a new chapter for Ngāi Tahu in the 'ongoing evolution of the tribe'.

'I think they've been doing an outstanding job . . . and there's no set play book in terms of what tribes are supposed to do [post settlement].'

The role of kaiwhakahaere required representing the iwi in relationships with governments, industry and other iwi, while maintaining cohesion and unity of the tribe internally.

'It's a very big role, particularly of an iwi with such influence and presence as Ngāi Tahu.'

Tirikatene said Tumahai and Ngāi Tahu needed to grapple with how to best serve the 61 per cent of Ngāi Tahu members who lived outside the South Island.

'It's always an ongoing issue for all iwis . . . and it's being able to provide them with similar opportunities that are available to those that live and are active in their respective hapū areas and papatū areas.'

The election of the first woman in the role was another milestone that should be celebrated, he said.

'It's great for wāhine right across the tribe.'

Tumahai and Ellison will represent the iwi at a biennial Ngāi Tahu festival, Hui a Iwi from Friday to Sunday at Tuahiwi Marae in North Canterbury.

The iwi expects more than 2000 Ngāi Tahu members from New Zealand and Australia at the event, which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the iwi's treaty settlement.

Solomon declined to comment on the appointments.